hail, gave him mastery of the wine-hall and
said: "Never before since I could lift hand
and shield have I trusted to any man the hall
of the Danes, save now to thee. Have now
and hold the best of houses. Watch against
foes."

Hrothgar then went with his band of
warriors out of the hall; he would seek Wealtheow
the queen, his bed-fellow. Before he went
he set a hall-ward against Grendel, who was
to give warning when the huge Eoten came.
But the head of the Goths trusted in his
own might and his Maker's goodness. For
he doffed his iron shirt and helm, gave his
rich sword, choicest of iron, to one under
him, and bade him hold the gear of war.
Then Beowulf spoke some words of pride
ere he stept on his bed. Around him many
a keen seaman bowed to his hall rest. Not
one of them thought he should again seek his
free home, for they had heard tell that in
that wine-hall too many of the Danes before
them had been taken by bloody death.

From afar came in the murky night, the
Shadow-walker, stalking. The warriors slept
who should hold that horned house, all but
one. He, waiting for the foe in hate, in angry
mood watched for the war meeting.

Then came, from the moor under the misty
hills, Grendel stalking; the wicked spoiler
meant in the lofty hall to snare one of
mankind. He strode under the clouds until he
saw the wine-house, golden hall of men.
Came then faring to the house the joyless
man, he rushed straight on the door, fast
with fire-hardened bands, struck with his
hands, dragged open the hall's mouth; quickly
then trod the fiend on the stained floor, went
wroth of mood, and from his eyes stood forth
a loathsome light, likest to flame. He saw
in the house many war-men sleeping all
together, then was his mood laughter. Hope
of a sweet glut had arisen in him. But it
was not for him after that night to eat more
of mankind. Hygelac's mighty kinsman saw
the spoiler's grasp. The wretched wight
seized quickly a sleeping warrior, slit him
unwares, bit his bone-locker, drank his blood,
in morsels swallowed him; soon had he all
eaten, feet and fingers. Nearer forth he
stept, laid hand upon the doughty-minded
warrior at his rest, but Beowulf reached
forth a hand and hung upon his arm. Soon
as the evil-doer felt that there was not in
mid-earth a stronger hand-grip, he became
fearful in heart. Not for that could he escape
the sooner, though his mind was bent on
flight. He would flee into his den, seek the
pack of devils; his trial there was such as in
his life days he had never before found. Then
was the good kinsman of Hygelac mindful of
his evening speech; upright he stood, and
firmly grasped at him; his fingers burst, the
Eoten was outward; the earl stept further,
the fiend thought to wind wide about and
flee to his fen heap. The hall thundered,
the ale of all the Danes and earls was spilt.
Angry, fierce were the strong fighters,
the hall was full of the din. It was great
wonder that the wine-hall stood above the
warlike beasts, that the fair earth-home fell
not to the ground. But within and without
it was fast with iron bands cunningly
forged. There bent from its sill many a
gilded mead-bench, where the grim ones
fought. Over the North Danes stood dire
fear, on every one of those who heard the
gruesome whoop. The friend of earls held
fast the deadly guest, would not leave him
while living. Then drew a warrior of
Beowulf's an old sword of his father's for
help of his lord. The sons of strife sought
then to hew on every side, they knew not
that no war-blade would cut into the wicked
scather; but Beowulf had forsworn every
edge, Hygelac's proud kinsman had the foe
of God in hand. The fell wretch bore pain,
a deadly wound gaped on his shoulder, the
sinews sprang asunder, the bone-locker burst,
to Beowulf was war-strength given. Grendel
fled away death-sick, to seek a sad dwelling
under the fen shelters; his life's end was come.

The wise and the strong from afar cleansed
Hrothgar's hall. Glad in his night work,
the Goth's lord made good his boast to the
East Danes and healed the sorrow of the
land. It was a token to be seen when the
beast of war laid down hand, arm, and
shoulder.

Then came in the morning, as I have
heard tell, many a warrior about the gift-
hall, from far and near, to see the wonder.
The foe left his track as he fled death doomed,
and weary to the nickers' mere. There
was the surge boiling with blood, the waves
welled hot with clotted gore. Grendel had
dyed it after he laid down his life in shelter
of the fen. From the mere again went the
glad fellow warriors proudly to ride on
horses. Beowulf's praise was sung, nor
blamed any the glad Hrothgar, for that
was a good king. At times the war-men ran
their fallow steeds in trial of the race, where
the earthways were smooth. At times a
king's thane, a boast-laden man, mindful of
songs, knowing full many an old saga, found
another high tale that had truth in it. Then
he began with skill to tell of Beowulf's
undertaking, well he told of Sigemund, of
the Wælsings' wars and wide wayfarings—
men knew not his wars and works save
Fitela, who went with him. The king, also,
warden of ring hoards, with a throng about
him, stept from his bride-bower; and his
queen, with him, measured the meadow path
begirt by her maidens. Hrothgar spake (he
went to the hall, stood in the fore court, and
saw Grendel's hand). "For this sight give
thanks forthwith to the Almighty. Lo!
whatsoever mother brought this son forth, if
she yet lives, let her say that the great
Maker was good in her child-bearing. Now
I will love thee, Beowulf, best of warriors,
as a son in my heart; henceforth hold our