XXXIII

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, Offspring of Hrethrel perished through sword-drink, With battle-swords beaten; thence Beowulf came then On self-help relying, swam through the waters; He bare on his arm, lone-going, thirty Outfits of armor, when the ocean he mounted. The Hetwars by no means had need to be boastful Of their fighting afoot, who forward to meet him Carried their war-shields: not many returned from The brave-mooded battle-knight back to their homesteads. Ecgtheow’s bairn o’er the bight-courses swam then, Lone-goer lorn to his land-folk returning, Where Hygd to him tendered treasure and kingdom, Rings and dominion: her son she not trusted, To be able to keep the kingdom devised him ’Gainst alien races, on the death of King Higelac. Yet the sad ones succeeded not in persuading the atheling In any way ever, to act as a suzerain To Heardred, or promise to govern the kingdom; Yet with friendly counsel in the folk he sustained him, Gracious, with honor, till he grew to be older, Wielded the Weders. Wide-fleeing outlaws, Ohthere’s sons, sought him o’er the waters: They had stirred a revolt ’gainst the helm of the Scylfings, The best of the sea-kings, who in Swedish dominions Distributed treasure, distinguished folk-leader. ’Twas the end of his earth-days; injury fatal By swing of the sword he received as a greeting, Offspring of Higelac; Ongentheow’s bairn Later departed to visit his homestead, When Heardred was dead; let Beowulf rule them, Govern the Geatmen: good was that folk-king.