The fastness of warriors, the water-land outward, The manor with fire. The folk-ruling hero, Prince of the Weders, was planning to wreak him. The warmen’s defender bade them to make him, Earlmen’s atheling, an excellent war-shield Wholly of iron: fully he knew then That wood from the forest was helpless to aid him, Shield against fire. The long-worthy ruler Must live the last of his limited earth-days, Of life in the world and the worm along with him, Though he long had been holding hoard-wealth in plenty. Then the ring-prince disdained to seek with a war-band, With army extensive, the air-going ranger; He felt no fear of the foeman’s assaults and He counted for little the might of the dragon, His power and prowess: for previously dared he A heap of hostility, hazarded dangers, War-thane, when Hrothgar’s palace he cleansèd, Conquering combatant, clutched in the battle The kinsmen of Grendel, of kindred detested. ’Twas of hand-fights not least where Higelac was slaughtered, When the king of the Geatmen with clashings of battle, Friend-lord of folks in Frisian dominions,