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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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47 CHAPTER XVIII The Scop chants how Wealhtheow too gave presents to Beowulf, and how one of these presents was a collar which years thereafter Beowulf’s Uncle, King Hygelac, wore as he fell in a famous raid down the Frisian Coast. (That was a real raid, historians of the Teutonic tribes assure us; and Hygelac was a real historical personage who lived in the sixth century. Perhaps Beowulf once really lived too; yet I for one doubt if he really did all the big things our Scop tells about him-though it is pleasant and good for us to make-believe he did.) And after Wealhtheow’s gifting and speaking, Hrothgar and others, Beowulf and the Queen too, left the Hall for their rest, leaving behind many jarlmen. These jarlmen took down the feasting boards that had stood on moveable supports in front of the benches along the walls, and made ready for sleep, unwitting that new terror and woe lurked outside in the night. To him she bare the goblet, and friendly words spake she, And armlets twain of twisted gold she proffered graciously, And rings and a war-coat, and best of collars too That ever on earth I heard of. [Nay, I never knew Under heaven a hero’s treasure goodly more Since Hama to his bright burg the Brisings’ necklace bore, With clasp and costly setting. (He fled the wily mood Of Eormenric, that angry King, and chose eternal good. This was the very collar that Hygelac had on, The Geatman, scion of Swerting, his last of raids upon, When he beneath his banner was fending booty won, And spoils of war was warding. Wyrd took him at a stroke, When in his pride he trouble sought and feud with Frisian folk. Yea, he, the mighty Chieftain, these precious stones had ta’en, These fair adornments, with him across the bowl-of-the-main; And now that he had fallen beneath his shield at last, His corpse, his mail and collar, unto the Frankmen passed. The weaker host was reaving the spoils of warriors dead After this battle-hewing; and this slaughter-stead The Geatish men were holding. The hall rang out in glee; Wealhtheow made a speech then; before the band spake she: “Have joy of this collar, with weal, beloved Youth! This war-coat use, my Beowulf-a royal gift in sooth Thrive thou well and show thee ever strong and free, And unto these my boys here kind in counsels be: |
