“So the belovèd land-prince lived in decorum; I had missed no rewards, no meeds of my prowess, But he gave me jewels, regarding my wishes, Healfdene his bairn; I’ll bring them to thee, then, Atheling of earlmen, offer them gladly. And still unto thee is all my affection: But few of my folk-kin find I surviving But thee, dear Higelac!” Bade he in then to carry The boar-image, banner, battle-high helmet, Iron-gray armor, the excellent weapon, In song-measures said: “This suit-for-the-battle Hrothgar presented me, bade me expressly, Wise-mooded atheling, thereafter to tell thee The whole of its history, said King Heregar owned it, Dane-prince for long: yet he wished not to give then The mail to his son, though dearly he loved him, Hereward the hardy. Hold all in joyance!” I heard that there followed hard on the jewels Two braces of stallions of striking resemblance, Dappled and yellow; he granted him usance Of horses and treasures. So a kinsman should bear him, No web of treachery weave for another, Nor by cunning craftiness cause the destruction Of trusty companion. Most precious to Higelac,

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