VII

bright hues hath hidden its glory. This my earls then urged me, the most excellent of them, Carles very clever, to come and assist thee, Folk-leader Hrothgar; fully they knew of The strength of my body. Themselves they beheld me When I came from the contest, when covered with gore Foes I escaped from, where five I had bound, The giant-race wasted, in the waters destroying The nickers by night, bore numberless sorrows, The Weders avenged (woes had they suffered) Enemies ravaged; alone now with Grendel I shall manage the matter, with the monster of evil, The giant, decide it. Thee I would therefore Beg of thy bounty, Bright-Danish chieftain, Lord of the Scyldings, this single petition: Not to refuse me, defender of warriors, Friend-lord of folks, so far have I sought thee, That I may unaided, my earlmen assisting me, This brave-mooded war-band, purify Heorot. I have heard on inquiry, the horrible creature From veriest rashness recks not for weapons; I this do scorn then, so be Higelac gracious, My liegelord belovèd, lenient of spirit, To bear a blade or a broad-fashioned target, A shield to the onset; only with hand-grip The foe I must grapple, fight for my life then, Foeman with foeman; he fain must rely on The doom of the Lord whom death layeth hold of. I ween he will wish, if he win in the struggle, To eat in the war-hall earls of the Geat-folk, Boldly to swallow them, as of yore he did often The best of the Hrethmen! Thou needest not trouble A head-watch to give me; he will have me dripping And dreary with gore, if death overtake me, Will bear me off bleeding, biting and mouthing me, The hermit will eat me, heedless of pity, Marking the moor-fens; no more wilt thou need then Find me my food. If I fall in the battle, Send to Higelac the armor that serveth To shield my bosom, the best of equipments, Richest of ring-mails; ’tis the relic of Hrethla, The work of Wayland. Goes Weird as she must go!”