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75 The gift of these and treasures before his King he set; So alway should a kinsman do nor weave a wily net, Nor plot with hidden cunning a near companion’s slaughter. To Hygelac, the hardy, the nephew was full leal, And each was ever wistful of the other’s weal. I heard how as the necklace that she, the Prince’s daughter, Wealhtheow, had given him, on Hygd he did bestow, A curious wonder-jewel; with palfreys three also, Slender, bright-of-saddle. After the bequest The Lady wore the necklace shining on her breast. So he bore him boldly, bairn of Ecgtheow, he, A man renowned for battles, for deeds of bravery; He lived in right and honor; nor slew by foaming bowl His comrades of the hearth-fire, nor ruthless was of soul. With utmost might of mankind did he, the Battle-grim, Guard the gift of strength that God had granted him. Scorned he’d been a long while; the bairns of Geatish race Good had not accounted him; nor would the Weders’ King Make him on the mead-bench worthy much of graceSlack the strong men weened him, a sluggard aetheling: But turn of fortune came to him, as one with honors blest, For every shame he’d suffered. The King gave his behest, He, the jarlmen’s Bulwark, then to fetch to hall The heirloom of Hrethel, with gold y-garnished all. Never among the Geatmen was aught in shape of blade Ever a prize more goodly. On Beowulf’s lap he laid, And gave him seven thousand, a hall and high-seat. Both possessed in common hereditary land, A home, an olden birth-right, in country of the Geat, Though th’ Other’s realm was broader, since his a King’s command. It came to pass in after-days, when Hygelac lay dead After the battle-clashings, and battle-swords had sped Heardred, his offspring, under the sheltering shield (What time the hardy foeman, the Scylfings, fierce in field, Had sought him in the vanguard, and laid him low with grame, Nephew of Hereric), that Beowulf became Ruler of the broad realms. Fifty winters told, He reigned till now an aged King, a Folk-Ward old. ‘T was then that in the dark nights, a Thing began to lord A Dragon on a hollow heath, who watched there a hoard, A steep stone-barrow. A path thereunder lay, By sons of men unguessed of. There within did stray Some nameless man or other, who with hand did nim From out the heathen Hoard, whilst slept the Dragon grim, A goblet, a golden one, nor gave it back to him, Albeit was thus defrauded its Keeper thievishly.... |
