The greatest of hall-buildings; Heorot he named it Who wide-reaching word-sway wielded ’mong earlmen. His promise he brake not, rings he lavished, Treasure at banquet. Towered the hall up High and horn-crested, huge between antlers: It battle-waves bided, the blasting fire-demon; Ere long then from hottest hatred must sword-wrath Arise for a woman’s husband and father. Then the mighty war-spirit endured for a season, Bore it bitterly, he who bided in darkness, That light-hearted laughter loud in the building Greeted him daily; there was dulcet harp-music, Clear song of the singer. He said that was able To tell from of old earthmen’s beginnings, That Father Almighty earth had created, The winsome wold 9 that the water encircleth, Set exultingly the sun’s and the moon’s beams To lavish their lustre on land-folk and races, And earth He embellished in all her regions With limbs and leaves; life He bestowed too On all the kindreds that live under heaven. So blessed with abundance, brimming with joyance,