Reminiscences (Continued)—Beowulf’s Last Battle
“He seeks then his chamber, singeth a woe-song One for the other; all too extensive Seemed homesteads and plains. So the helm of the Weders Mindful of Herebald heart-sorrow carried, Stirred with emotion, nowise was able To wreak his ruin on the ruthless destroyer: He was unable to follow the warrior with hatred, With deeds that were direful, though dear he not held him. Then pressed by the pang this pain occasioned him, He gave up glee, God-light elected; He left to his sons, as the man that is rich does, His land and fortress, when from life he departed. Then was crime and hostility ’twixt Swedes and Geatmen, O’er wide-stretching water warring was mutual, Burdensome hatred, when Hrethel had perished, And Ongentheow’s offspring were active and valiant, Wished not to hold to peace oversea, but Round Hreosna-beorh often accomplished Cruelest massacre. This my kinsman avengèd, The feud and fury, as ’tis found on inquiry, Though one of them paid it with forfeit of life-joys, With price that was hard: the struggle became then Fatal to Haethcyn, lord of the Geatmen. Then I heard that at morning one brother the other With edges of irons egged on to murder, Where Ongentheow maketh onset on Eofor: The helmet crashed, the hoary-haired Scylfing Sword-smitten fell, his hand then remembered Feud-hate sufficient, refused not the death-blow. The gems that he gave me, with jewel-bright sword I ’Quited in contest, as occasion was offered: Land he allowed me, life-joy at homestead, Manor to live on. Little he needed From Gepids or Danes or in Sweden to look for Trooper less true, with treasure to buy him; ’Mong foot-soldiers ever in front I would hie me, Alone in the vanguard, and evermore gladly Warfare shall wage, while this weapon endureth That late and early often did serve me When I proved before heroes the slayer of Daeghrefn, Knight of the Hugmen: he