|
Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
||||
 |
||||
|
Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
||||
|
|
||||
|
15 lived and the most ready to use his strength for the good of mankind. But when they landed on the Danish Shore, the Coast Guard challenged them, fearing they were spies and enemies. And so the son of Halfdane was carked by cares which bide, Nor might the brave and wise One the sorrow turn aside: Too big the strife for Danefolk, too long the bale and bane, This hugest of night-horrors, that on his people came. Far in his home, that good man, among the Geatish breeds, Hyglac’s thane and nephew, got word of Grendel’s deeds. Of all mankind the strongest in might and main was he, In the days of this our life here, high-born and free. Bade make ready for him a rider-of-the-sea; Quoth, he’d seek this War-King, o’er the swan-road, he! Seek this noble Chieftain, ‘for that ‘tis men he needs.’ The canny carls did chide him (though he to them was dear) Little for his faring; nay, rather spake him cheer, Him the battle-brave One, and looked for omens clear. The Good One of the Geatfolk now picked his comrades keen: When he sought his timbered vessel, he was one of bold fifteen; And well he kenned the coast-marks, wise in sailor-craft. The boat ere long they launched, under the bluffs abaft; The ready warriors clambered over the wave-tossed side; Against the sands the breakers were writhing with the tide; On the breast of the bark the heroes bore their bright array, Their battle-gear so gorgeous. They pushed the bark away, Away on its eager voyage. The well- braced floater flew, The foamy-necked, the bird-like, before the winds that blew, Over the waves of the waters-till, after the risen sun Of the next day, the curved prow her course so well had run That these faring-men the land saw, the cliffs aglow o’er the deep, Broad sea promontories, high hills steep. Ocean now was o’er-wandered, now was their voyaging o’er. Thence clomb the Weder-clansmen speedily up on the shore; Anchored well their sea-wood, whilst their armor clanked, Their mailed sarks of battle; God Almighty thanked Because for them the sea-paths had not been made too hard. Then from the wall the Watchman, the Scylding set to guard The water-cliffs, espied them over the gangway bear Their glittering shields of linden, their ready fighting-gear. His wits were seized with wonder, what men were these indeed? Down to the strand he gat him, riding on a steed; Henchman, he, of Hrothgar,- mightily did shake With his hands his spear-shaft, and in parley spake: “What are ye, ye mail-clad, what armor-bearing braves, Who lead a keel so high-prowed hither o’er the waves, O’er the ocean |
