XXXV

by no means was suffered To the king of the Frisians to carry the jewels, The breast-decoration; but the banner-possessor Bowed in the battle, brave-mooded atheling. No weapon was slayer, but war-grapple broke then The surge of his spirit, his body destroying. Now shall weapon’s edge make war for the treasure, And hand and firm-sword.” Beowulf spake then, Boast-words uttered⁠—the latest occasion: “I braved in my youth-days battles unnumbered; Still am I willing the struggle to look for, Fame-deeds perform, folk-warden prudent, If the hateful despoiler forth from his cavern Seeketh me out!” Each of the heroes, Helm-bearers sturdy, he thereupon greeted Belovèd co-liegemen⁠—his last salutation: “No brand would I bear, no blade for the dragon, Wist I a way my word-boast to ’complish Else with the monster, as with Grendel I did it; But fire in the battle hot I expect there, Furious flame-burning: so I fixed on my body Target and war-mail. The ward of the barrow I’ll not flee from a foot-length, the foeman uncanny. At the wall ’twill befall us as Fate decreeth, Each one’s Creator. I am eager in spirit, With the wingèd war-hero to away with all boasting. Bide on the barrow with burnies protected, Earls in armor, which of us two may better Bear his disaster, when the battle is over. ’Tis no matter of yours, and man cannot do it, But me and me only, to measure his strength with The monster of malice, might-deeds to ’complish. I with prowess shall gain the gold, or the battle, Direful death-woe will drag off your ruler!” The mighty champion rose by his shield then, Brave under helmet, in battle-mail went he ’Neath steep-rising stone-cliffs, the strength he relied on Of one man alone: no work for a coward. Then he saw by the wall who a great many battles Had lived through, most worthy, when foot-troops collided, Stone-arches standing, stout-hearted champion, Saw a brook from the barrow bubbling out thenceward: The flood of the fountain was fuming with war-flame: Not nigh to the hoard, for season the briefest Could he brave, without burning, the abyss that was yawning, The drake was so fiery. The prince of the Weders Caused then that words came from his bosom, So fierce was his fury; the firm-hearted shouted: