Beowulf Goes to Hrothgar’s Assistance
So Healfdene’s kinsman constantly mused on His long-lasting sorrow; the battle-thane clever Was not anywise able evils to ’scape from: Too crushing the sorrow that came to the people, Loathsome and lasting the life-grinding torture, Greatest of night-woes. So Higelac’s liegeman, Good amid Geatmen, of Grendel’s achievements Heard in his home: of heroes then living He was stoutest and strongest, sturdy and noble. He bade them prepare him a bark that was trusty; He said he the war-king would seek o’er the ocean, The folk-leader noble, since he needed retainers. For the perilous project prudent companions Chided him little, though loving him dearly; They egged the brave atheling, augured him glory. The excellent knight from the folk of the Geatmen Had liegemen selected, likest to prove them Trustworthy warriors; with fourteen companions The vessel he looked for; a liegeman then showed them, A sea-crafty man, the bounds of the country. Fast the days fleeted; the float was a-water, The craft by the cliff. Clomb to the prow then Well-equipped warriors: the wave-currents twisted The sea on the sand; soldiers then carried On the breast of the vessel bright-shining jewels, Handsome war-armor; heroes outshoved then, Warmen the wood-ship, on its wished-for adventure. The foamy-necked floater fanned by the breeze, Likest a bird, glided the waters, Till twenty and four hours thereafter The twist-stemmed vessel had traveled such distance That the sailing-men saw the sloping embankments, The sea cliffs gleaming, precipitous mountains, Nesses enormous: they were nearing the limits At the end of the ocean. Up thence quickly The men of the Weders clomb to the mainland, Fastened their vessel (battle weeds rattled, War burnies clattered), the Wielder they thanked That the ways o’er the waters had waxen so gentle. Then well from the cliff edge the guard of