Hrothgar discoursed, helm of the Scyldings: “To defend our folk and to furnish assistance, Thou soughtest us hither, good friend Beowulf. The fiercest of feuds thy father engaged in, Heatholaf killed he in hand-to-hand conflict ’Mid Wilfingish warriors; then the Wederish people For fear of a feud were forced to disown him. Thence flying he fled to the folk of the South-Danes, The race of the Scyldings, o’er the roll of the waters; I had lately begun then to govern the Danemen, The hoard-seat of heroes held in my youth, Rich in its jewels: dead was Heregar, My kinsman and elder had earth-joys forsaken, Healfdene his bairn. He was better than I am! That feud thereafter for a fee I compounded; O’er the weltering waters to the Wilfings I sent Ornaments old; oaths did he swear me. It pains me in spirit to any to tell it, What grief in Heorot Grendel hath caused me, What horror unlooked-for, by hatred unceasing. Waned is my war-band, wasted my hall-troop; Weird hath offcast them to the clutches of Grendel. God can easily hinder the scather From deeds so direful. Oft drunken with beer