All-knowing God hath given thy spirit! Ne’er heard I an earlman thus early in life More clever in speaking: thou’rt cautious of spirit, Mighty of muscle, in mouth-answers prudent. I count on the hope that, happen it ever That missile shall rob thee of Hrethel’s descendant, Edge-horrid battle, and illness or weapon Deprive thee of prince, of people’s protector, And life thou yet holdest, the Sea-Geats will never Find a more fitting folk-lord to choose them, Gem-ward of heroes, than thou mightest prove thee, If the kingdom of kinsmen thou carest to govern. Thy mood-spirit likes me the longer the better, Beowulf dear: thou hast brought it to pass that To both these peoples peace shall be common, To Geat-folk and Danemen, the strife be suspended, The secret assailings they suffered in yore-days; And also that jewels be shared while I govern The wide-stretching kingdom, and that many shall visit Others o’er the ocean with excellent gift-gems: The ring-adorned bark shall bring o’er the currents Presents and love-gifts. This people I know