Grendel the Murderer
When the sun was sunken, he set out to visit The lofty hall-building, how the Ring-Danes had used it For beds and benches when the banquet was over. Then he found there reposing many a noble Asleep after supper; sorrow the heroes, Misery knew not. The monster of evil Greedy and cruel tarried but little, Fell and frantic, and forced from their slumbers Thirty of thanemen; thence he departed Leaping and laughing, his lair to return to, With surfeit of slaughter sallying homeward. In the dusk of the dawning, as the day was just breaking, Was Grendel’s prowess revealed to the warriors: Then, his meal-taking finished, a moan was uplifted, Morning-cry mighty. The man-ruler famous, The long-worthy atheling, sat very woeful, Suffered great sorrow, sighed for his liegemen, When they had seen the track of the hateful pursuer, The spirit accursèd: too crushing that sorrow, Too loathsome and lasting. Not longer he tarried, But one night after continued his slaughter Shameless and shocking, shrinking but little From malice and murder; they mastered him fully. He was easy to find then who otherwhere looked for A pleasanter place of repose in the lodges, A bed in the bowers. Then was brought to his notice Told him truly by token apparent The hall-thane’s hatred: he held himself after Further and faster who the foeman did baffle. So ruled he and strongly strove against justice Lone against all men, till empty uptowered The choicest of houses. Long was the season: Twelve-winters’ time torture suffered The friend of the Scyldings, every affliction, Endless agony; hence it after became Certainly known to the children of men Sadly in measures, that long against Hrothgar Grendel struggled:—his grudges he cherished, Murderous malice, many a winter, Strife unremitting, and peacefully wished he Life-woe to lift from no liegeman at all of The men of the Dane-folk, for money to settle, No