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When from the wall the Scyldings’ watchman, 230 whose duty it was to watch the sea-cliffs, saw them bear down the gangplank bright shields, ready battle-gear, he was bursting with curiosity in his mind to know who these men were. This thane of Hrothgar rode his horse 235 down to the shore, and shook mightily his strong spear, and spoke a challenge: “What are you, warriors in armor, wearing coats of mail, who have come thus sailing over the sea-road in a tall ship, 240 hither over the waves? Long have I been the coast-warden, and kept sea-watch so that no enemies with fleets and armies should ever attack the land of the Danes. Never more openly have there ever come 245 shield-bearers here, nor have you heard any word of leave from our warriors or consent of kinsmen. I have never seen a greater earl on earth than that one among you, a man in war-gear; that is no mere courtier, 250 honored only in weapons—unless his looks belie him, his noble appearance! Now I must know your lineage, lest you go hence as false spies, travel further into Danish territory. Now, you sea-travelers from a far-off land, listen to my simple thought—the sooner the better, you must make clear from whence you have come.” 4 The eldest one answered him, leader of the troop, unlocked his word-hoard: 260 “We are men of the Geatish nation and Hygelac’s hearth-companions. My father was well-known among men, a noble commander named Ecgtheow; he saw many winters before he passed away, 265 ancient, from the court; nearly everyone throughout the world remembers him well. With a friendly heart have we come seeking your lord, the son of Healfdene, guardian of his people; be of good counsel to us! 270 We have a great mission to that famous man, ruler of the Danes; nor should any of it be hidden, I think. You know, if things are as we have truly heard tell, that among the Scyldings some sort of enemy, 275 hidden evildoer, in the dark nights manifests his terrible and mysterious violence, shame and slaughter. With a generous spirit I can counsel Hrothgar, advise him how, wise old king, he may overcome this fiend— 280 if a change should ever come for him, a remedy for the evil of his afflictions, and his seething cares turn cooler; or forever afterwards a time of anguish he shall suffer, his sad necessity, while there stands 285 in its high place the best of houses.” The watchman spoke, as he sat on his horse, a fearless officer: “A sharp shield-warrior must be a judge of both things, words and deeds, if he would think well. 290 I understand that to the Scylding lord you are a friendly force. Go forth, and bear weapons and armor—I shall guide your way; and I will command my young companions to guard honorably against all enemies 295 your ship, newly-tarred, upon the sand, to watch it until the curved-necked wood bears hence across the ocean-streams a beloved man to the borders of the Weders— and such of these good men as will be granted 300 that they survive the storm of battle.” They set off—their vessel stood still, the roomy ship rested in its riggings, fast at anchor. Boar-figures shone over gold-plated cheek-guards,1 305 gleaming, fire-hardened; they guarded the lives of the grim battle-minded. The men hastened, marched together, until they could make out the timbered hall, splendid and gold-adorned— the most famous building among men 310 under the heavens—where the high king waited; its light shone over many lands. Their brave guide showed them the bright court of the mighty ones, so that they might go straight to it; that fine soldier 315 wheeled his horse and spoke these words: “Time for me to go. The almighty Father guard you in his grace, safe in your journeys! I must to the sea, and hold my watch against hostile hordes.” 5 320 The road was stone-paved, the path led the men together. Their mail coats shone hard, hand-linked, bright rings of iron rang out on their gear, when right to the hall they went trooping in their terrible armor. 325 Sea-weary, they set their broad shields, wondrously-hard boards, against the building’s wall; they sat on a bench—their byrnies rang out, their soldiers’ war-gear; their spears stood, the gear of the seamen all together, 330 a gray forest of ash. That iron troop was worthy of its weapons. Then a proud warrior2 asked those soldiers about their ancestry: “From whence do you carry those covered shields, gray coats of mail and grim helmets, 335 this troop of spears? I am herald and servant to Hrothgar; never have I seen so many foreign men so fearless and bold. For your pride, I expect, not for exile, and for greatness of heart you have sought out Hrothgar.” 340 The courageous one answered him, proud prince of the Weders, spoke words hardy in his helmet: “We are Hygelac’s board-companions—Beowulf is my name. I wish to explain my errand 345 to the son of Healfdene, famous prince, your lord, if he will allow us, in his goodness, to greet him.” Wulfgar spoke—a prince of the Wendels, his noble character was known to many, 350 his valor and wisdom: “I will convey to the friend of the Danes, lord of the Scyldings, giver of rings, what you have requested, tell the famous prince of your travels, and then quickly announce to you the answer 355 which that good man sees fit to give me.” He hastily returned to where Hrothgar sat old and gray-haired, with his band of earls; he boldly went, stood by the shoulder of the Danish king—he knew the noble custom. 360 Wulfgar spoke to his friend and lord: “There have arrived here over the sea’s expanse, come from afar, men of the Geats; the oldest among them, the fighting men call Beowulf. They have requested 365 that they, my lord, might be allowed to exchange words with you—do not refuse them your reply, gracious Hrothgar! In their war-trappings they seem worthy of noble esteem; notable indeed is that chief 370 who has shown these soldiers the way hither.” Hrothgar spoke, protector of the Scyldings: “I knew him when he was nothing but a boy— his old father was called Ecgtheow, to whom Hrethel the Geat1 gave in marriage 375 his only daughter; now his daring son has come here, sought a loyal friend. Seafarers, in truth, have said to me, those who brought to the Geats gifts and money as thanks, that he has thirty 380 men’s strength, strong in battle, in his handgrip. Holy God in His grace has guided him to us, to the West-Danes, as I would hope, against Grendel’s terror. To this good man 385 I shall offer treasures for his true daring. Be hasty now, bid them enter to see this troop of kinsmen all assembled; and tell them in your words that they are welcome to the Danish people.” He announced from within:2 390 “My conquering lord commands me to tell you, ruler of the East-Danes, that he knows your ancestry, and you are to him, hardy spirits, welcome hither from across the rolling waves. 395 Now you may go in your war-gear under your helmets to see Hrothgar, but let your battle-shields and deadly spears await here the result of your words.” The mighty one arose, and many a man with him, 400 powerful thanes; a few waited there, guarded their battle-dress as the bold man bid them. They hastened together as the man led them, under Heorot’s roof; [the warrior went]3 hardy in his helmet, until he stood on the hearth. 405 Beowulf spoke—his byrnie gleamed on him, war-net sewn by the skill of a smith—: “Be well, Hrothgar! I am Hygelac’s kinsman and young retainer; in my youth I have done many a glorious deed. This business with Grendel 410 was made known to me on my native soil; seafarers say that this building stands, most excellent of halls, idle and useless to every man, after evening’s light is hidden under heaven’s gleaming dome. 415 Then my own people advised me, the best warriors and the wisest men, that I should, lord Hrothgar, seek you out, because they knew the might of my strength; they themselves had seen me, bloodstained from battle, 420 come from the fight, when I captured five, slew a tribe of giants, and on the salt waves fought sea-monsters by night, survived that tight spot, avenged the Weders’ affliction—they asked for trouble!— and crushed those grim foes; and now with Grendel, 425 that monstrous beast, I shall by myself have a word or two with that giant. From you now I wish, ruler of the Bright-Danes, to request, protector of the Scyldings, a single favor, that you not refuse me, having come this far, 430 protector of warriors, noble friend to his people— that I might alone, O my own band of earls and this hardy troop, cleanse Heorot. I have also heard that this evil beast in his wildness does not care for weapons, 435 so I too will scorn—so that Hygelac, my liege-lord, may be glad of me— to bear a sword or a broad shield, a yellow battle-board, but with my grip I shall grapple with the fiend and fight for life, 440 foe against foe. Let him put his faith in the Lord’s judgment, whom death takes! I expect that he will, if he is allowed to win, eat unafraid the folk of the Geats in that war-hall, as he has often done, the host of the Hrethmen.4 445 You’ll have no need to cover my head—he will have done so, gory, bloodstained, if death bears me away; he will take his kill, think to taste me, will dine alone without remorse, 450 stain his lair in the moor; no need to linger in sorrow over disposing of my body! Send on to Hygelac, if battle should take me, the best battledress, which my breast wears, finest of garments; it is Hrethel’s heirloom, the work of Weland.1 Wyrd always goes as it must!”