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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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9 THE OPENING Before chanting the deeds of the Geatman Beowulf, so brave and so strong, the ‘Scop’ (that is, the bard) chants the story of the ancestry of Hrothgar, the King of Danishmen (whose grandfather happened to be called Beowulf also), especially the strange story of the coming and the burial of Scyld, founder of the royal line. But why should the story of Beowulf, the Geat, begin with Hrothgar, the Dane? The Scop will strike his harp again and again and make all clear. What ho! We’ve heard the glory of Spear-Danes, clansmen- kings, Their deeds of olden story,- how fought the aethelings! Often Scyld Scefing reft his foemen all, Reft the tribes at wassail of bench and mead in hall. Smote the jarls with terror; gat good recompense For that he came a foundling, a child with no defense: He waxed beneath the welkin, grew in honors great, Till each and every people, of those around who sate Off beyond the whale- road, to him was underling, To him must tender toll-fee. That was a goodly King! Unto him thereafter, was an heir y-born, Within his gates a youngling, whom God that folk forlorn For recompense was sending. He marked the grievous wrong, How they of old had suffered, without a prince so long. And so the Wonder-Wielder, the Lord of Life, fulfilled For them world’s weal and honor, through him, the heir of Scyld. For famous was this Beowulf, and far and wide there came O’er the lands of Scandia the vaunting of his name. So shall youth achieve it, with good works before, With bold gifts and largesse, from his father’s store, That in old age after, when the wars may come, Willing comrades, liegemen loyal, may stand by at home. Praiseful deed will bring good speed in what clan soe’er. Then did Scyld betake him, when his hour was there, The stout and staunch betook himself to his Lord’s good care. Then away they bore him to the sea-tides,- did, They, his loving clansmen, as himself had bid, Whilst he wielded speech-craft, he, the Scyldings’ friend, Prince so long who ruled them, dear to the end. There in haven stood she, her prow a rounded ring, Icy and out- bound, barge of the Aetheling. Laid they then the dear Chief, Bracelet-Breaker of old, Mighty King, by the mast there, within the good ship’s hold. |
