Quiet!
Our story speaks of the Spear-Danes their greatest kings' accomplishments how in former times lived fearless men. Shield Sheafing shook the clans cleared mead-seats of many a pillager made warriors stammer —he who started out worthless, a foundling. That wasn't for long! He waxed under clouds climbed in men's eyes till all neighboring tribes sent tribute to him across the whale's way and his word was law to all who heard. He was a good king! Then to the king a child was born a precocious lad ... Life's King Governor of All with gifts had endowed him and Barleycorn's name was borne on the wind Shield's son in all Scandinavia .... Shield then betook him when his time had come to go with verve into God's keeping. And they carried him out where the current flowed —his chosen companions— as he had charged them to do when still wielding language lord of his people. The belovéd king had governed long. At the harbor rested ring-carved glistening and ready the royal vessel. They laid then their belovéd prince ring-breaker in the bosom of the ship the great man by the mast. Many treasures from faraway places had been placed in the ship. I have heard of no better boat equipped with weapons of war and warrior's armor broadsword and corselet. On his breast there lay many a treasure that would travel far in his ownership into the ocean's domain. They prepared him no less with precious gifts with things offered than they had done who sent him forth the first time on the waves alone a waif-child. And then by him they set a banner of gold aloft over head and let the surge take and give to the sea. All had sorrow in heart mourning in mind. Men could not say and speak verily —advisor in hall hero under cloud— who claimed that freight. In towns they told tales of Barley leader they loved —a long time king of that folk his father had left the world behind— till Half-Dane awoke his child in turn taking charge of that great people until grim and old. His offspring tallied all told four. To the world awoke from this war-lord Hergar and Hrutger and Helgi the Good. Ursula we're told was Onela's queen the Swedish king's sworn consort. Then Hrutger was given victory winning mindshare so the men who were with him were quick to obey him and the band of young fighters became a great force. A grand plan took hold of his mind he would have it be done that men would construct a mead-hall so great its fame would forever pass father to son and there in that hall he would hand over to young and to old all that God gave him but land held in common and the lives of men. Far and wide word of this work was spread to the peoples in this part of the world: Brighten our monument! Though brief was the time as reckoned by men the richest hall ever had reached its full height! He chose Hart as its name he whose word had force far and wide. He broke no promise but broke off rings gave treasure at feasts in the towering hall whose beams like high antlers no breath of hot anger no war-torch had touched though the time was not long till the keen hatred in killing's wake for wedlocked clans would waken again. Then the great fiend a grim season suffered in darkness day after day having to listen to laughter and music loud in the hall. There was the harp's brilliance the poet's bright song. He recited who knew where humankind came from who could count far back how the Almighty had made the world a radiant surface encircled by water had set in triumph sun and moon to light their way who lived on the land and then had arrayed the rolling hills with limb and leaf. And life He sang into every kind of creature living. Those people led such peaceful lives so worry-free till one commenced his wicked deeds a demon from hell. Folk called the fiend Grendel who roamed the outlands ruling moor fen and marshland. The miserable creature remained in the lands where miscreants dwell ever since the Creator had sentenced the man with the kin of Cain. That killing was punished by the Almighty —his murder of Abel— and that death got him nothing, he was driven away by the Lord for his crime to live all alone. Thence all manner of mutants awoke ettins and elves and orcs as well and freakish giants who fought with God for quite some time. He requited them for that. He drew near when night had fallen to that high house to have a look how the Danish men had done with their beer. Inside he found those fighting men asleep with their food and feeling no pain by darkness untouched. The demon's mind was psyched for the kill he couldn't control it but started to snarl and snatched from their sleep 30 grown thanes. From there he returned pleased with his plunder to that place where he lived full of the carnage to find his own home. With break of day as dawn arrived the extent of Grendel's attack became clear. They woke from their food and the wailing arose the morning commotion. The mighty king so blessed until now was bleak as he sat. He suffered immense sorrow for thanes when they saw the tracks the trail of blood from the ghastly visit. Too violent that killing a terrible crime. No time had transpired and in the space of one night a spree even worse happened as planned. He had no remorse for his murderous deeds was too deep in his ways. He was easy to find who preferred to sleep some distance away who wanted a bunk anywhere else when every sign told clear as a beacon the basic fact of this hall-thane's hate. More wholesome for him the farther away he was from the fiend. Thus he ruled the land and with its rightful lord waged war one against all till the richest of halls stood ruined and empty. For twelve years he yielded to this with loss after loss Lord of the Shieldings across the wide land. And the world learned through sad songs the sons of men got the news that Grendel fought a while with Hrutger waged a relentless campaign of killing criminal acts and atrocities. Truce he rejected refusing to deal with the Danish militia to put slaughter aside and settle the feud. No ranking advisor saw reason to hope for a token of peace from the palm of that killer. A thing depraved he preyed on the land the veterans the lads —a lurking death-shadow lay low and attacked— an interminable night held the misty moor. A mystery how these hell-masters manage to vanish. And so he committed many a crime a lone aggressor egregious acts against human-kind. Hart was now his the glorious hall in the gloom of night such a calamity for the Lord of the Shieldings it shattered his mind. Men of rank meeting in secret sought a solution what purposeful men could possibly do to try and stop these terrorist acts. Prayers they would say at their sacred places. They worshipped their gods. With words they implored the Slayer of Demons to redeem their people from the peril impending. It was their practice to call on the powers of Hell the hope of the heathen. ... So the kinsman of Half-Dane succumbed to those times with chronic depression. No prudent advisor averted the crisis so cruel and relentless so intense was the strife that had stricken those people. No madness dementia or nightmare was worse. * He learned in his homeland —Huugleik's thane Gautland's hero— of Grendel's deeds. He was the mightiest of men alive indeed the strongest of his day and age straight-limbed and immense. He commanded a swift keel to be readied declared he would seek across the swan's way the warring king the renowned lord for he was in need of men. From his decision to go sensible men did little to dissuade him though he was loved by all such spirit they viewed as auspicious and hailed it. This great man of the Gautish people had culled the best from the keenest campaigners a man could find. Of the 15 men one skilled in sea-craft sought the skiff-deck leading their way along the shoreline. Respite over they were riding the waves at the base of the cliff. They clambered up to the prow of the craft. Currents were winding in streams near the beach. Into the bosom of the ship men bore bright armor corselets shimmering. The crew shoved off spirits buoyant on the bound planking. Skimming the waves wind-driven with foam on its neck it flew like a bird and in due time on the day after the curved prow had covered the distance and those seafarers were sighting land sea-cliffs shining sheer bergs wide headlands. The waves had been crossed the voyage was over. Then very briskly Gautland's warriors went ashore secured the craft gave corselets a shake their war things. They thanked God their ocean travels had been trouble-free. The Shielding watch from his wall above the man who keeps the coastline safe saw borne over gangplank bright shields —men with their war-gear— and his mind was ablaze wanting to know what were these men? So he got himself down at a gallop to the shore Hrutger's thane. His thick wooden shield he shook in their faces put forward a question—
What are you armored men secure in your corselets who come here on this towering keel taking the sea-street over the waves? Watch I have kept here long have been lookout along this coast so that no brigand with a boatful of pirates might conduct an attack on Danish soil. To have come more openly carrying shields would not have been possible no password however of our men-at-war have you managed to give no secret greeting. A greater man I never saw walk the earth than one among you one more fit to fight. Unless features belie him no better man ever was born to bear weapon— his singular size. So say to me now your country and kin and come no further dangerous spies onto Danish land nor leave this spot. Listen well you sea-faring foreign types to an unambiguous suggestion. It were best to reveal and the quicker the better what brings you here.
The eldest among them unlocked for the guard the troop's leader his treasure of speech—
Our people populate Gautland and hearth we share with Huugleik. My own father was a famous man a noble leader. His name was Edgetheow. He lived many winters before leaving this earth an old man. He is remembered well by men of wisdom the world over. Friendship brought us to fare here seeking your king kinsman of Half-Dane guardian of the people. Give us your welcome. Our mission concerns your mighty lord the Danish monarch but I doubt there is any need for secrecy. You would know if those things we've been hearing about were happening here— that in the Shieldings' midst a monster of sorts some evildoer in the darkness of night has been brought by malice to bring unimaginable suffering manslaughter and degradation. Magnanimity has brought me here to bring Hrutger to see how as a fair man and good he must defeat this enemy if a turnabout to this terrible business if good times are to return for him how a chafing heart must grow chill again or continue to suffer this season from hell unhappily ever after while that hall of his the best ever built abides on its hill.
The guard stated from astride his horse the bold watchman—
The ability to discern is something a sharp shield-man must have if his head is still working respecting word and deed. From what I gather this group is friendly to the lord of the Shieldings. You're allowed to pass with gear and weapon. I'll guide the way. My men moreover will be made to guard so that none may harm it your newly tarred keel on the sand to keep it safe till it bring the bold back to their loved ones —on the ocean currents the carved wood— to the coast of Gautland those good warriors to whom it be given in health to survive in one piece the peril of battle.
They made then to go. On its moorings their craft the wide-hulled ship waited at anchor rocking a little. The likeness of boars embossed on the face-plate embellished with gold and fire-hardened kept a fierce watch over the lives of the grim. They were in great haste in half-trot together till the gabled hall as a precious jewel appeared in the distance. The most magnificent known to man that house under heavens home to the ruler. Over many lands its light shone. The valiant veteran had revealed the way to the bright abode so the brisk men might march directly. This man then turned his horse around and hailed those men—
It is time I left. The Lord keep you Father all-powerful when facing danger safe and sound. To the sea I must to keep guard against invaders.
Stone-paved the street guided the company marching. Corselets were shining. The glittering hand-linked hardened rings of iron sang out under the awesome armor as the men came marching up to the mead-hall. Sea-legged they leaned shields wondrously hardened along the wall of the building then bent to the bench. Byrnies rang— the warriors' war-shirts. Wooden spears wan at the tip their weapon of choice stood leaning together. These lads of iron were weaponworthy. The warriors then —the heroes— were asked by a haughty man—
Whence do you come with your colorful shields gray corselets grim helmets and the heap of spears? I am Hrutger's messenger and herald. So many I have never seen so full of fight from a foreign land. Hoping for honor high expectations must have brought you to Hrutger. Hardly exile!
The one famous for courage framed a reply hard under helmet the hero of Gautland answered the herald—
At Huugleik's table it is near him we sit. My name is Beewolf. I'd gladly tell the great man your lord what led me here were he so good as to grant our request to see him in person son of Half-Dane.
Wulfgar spoke a Wendel prince. His noble heart was known to many his mettle and wisdom—
I'll make this known to the Shieldings' leader lord of the Danes. To the breaker of rings I'll bring your petition concerning the king and the cause of your visit then return to apprise you of the prince's response —what the good one thinks fitting to give me— straightway.
In a hurry he went to where Hrutger was sitting old and gray-haired with his gathering of nobles. Famous for courage he stood facing the lord king of the Danes as he knew custom required. Wulfgar spoke to the one he served—
Here have fared from far away over the great flood Gautish men. The lads call their leader Beewolf. They're asking my king for an audience with you to trade some words. Don't turn them away with no for an answer noble Hrutger! Worthy they are in their war-gear of nobles' respect and no quitter is the lord of those warriors who has led them here.
Hrutger spoke helm of the Shieldings—
He was but a lad himself when I learned of him. Edgetheow his father has fared from this world whom Hrethel the Gaut gave to wife his only daughter. His offspring now is come to us grown to call on a friend. Back then they were saying who had sailed with gifts who had taken to Gautland our token of thanks the seafarers he was famous for having the strength of 30 of the strongest men in his hand-grip. Holy God has sent him our way to save and protect us here to the West-Danes I hope and pray from Grendel's terror. The great one I must reward with treasures for his intrepid heart. Use haste in this. Have them come in received among friends assembled together. Say also with words that they're welcome here in the land of the Danes.
He left quickly with words of welcome for the warlike men—
He would have you be told my victorious prince lord of the East-Danes that your lineage is known and the king would have you who crossed the waves resolute warriors be welcomed here. Now you may go geared for battle head under helmet to see Hrutger within. Let war-shields await here with wooden death-shafts the word of the king.
The leader then stood with his lads around him a most stately troop. Some stayed behind to guard the war-gear as the grim one had ordered. They stepped lively together led by the man hard in their helmets under Hart's roof. Their leader strode till he stood at the hearth. Beewolf spoke. His byrnie shone the smith's ingenuity net-linked for war—
Be hale Hrutger! I am Huugleik's kin and thane. I accomplished many a feat in my youth. This affair of Grendel became known to me in my native land. The seafarers say that this singular hall this excellent edifice stands idle and useless to every man when evening light under heaven's glow is hidden away. My people prompted me —the peerless warriors the sages among them— to seek you out. They were fully aware of my physical strength each man having seen me emerge from my armor enemy-stained when I ended the lives of a band of giants and butchered the demons at night on the sea where I nearly perished. They had it coming for the killing they'd done. I ground them to pieces. And I'll show Grendel as well that degenerate creature what justice means when I meet with the hulk. I must now ask you as lord of the Illustrious Danes as the Shieldings' Defender for your favor in this. Refuse me not O Refuge of Warriors who have come so far Friend of the People that I may try on my own with my trusty men this hardened crew to rid Hart of this ill! From what I have heard the heedless being the degenerate creature carries no weapon. So that Huugleik my hearth-lord incur no cost on account of me but be free and clear, to this fray will I bring neither bright sword nor broad yellow shield— with my bare hands will I bring it to him and we'll fight for our lives face-to-face. First-hand will he learn —he who is chosen to die— about Judgment Day. Now, should he prevail in the hall of battle I fully expect him to feed at his leisure as is his wont on Hrethel's heir Gautland's muscle. So on my account you'll have no need to heap up stones to hide my head for it is he who will claim my bloody cadaver if Death chooses me. He will carry the gory carcass away to sup undisturbed consumed by no grief coloring the moor. On account of this man's body you needn't much bother yourselves! But send to Huugleik should I happen to die this singular war-shroud shielding my breast this most handsome of garments Hrethel's heirloom Wayland's fabric. Fate goes as it must.
Hrutger spoke helm of the Shieldings—
Because it was fitting my friend Beewolf to return a favor you have fared to us. It was a great feud your father began when with his own hand Heathlaf he slayed among the Wilfings. The Weders weren't able in terror of war to take him in. So he sought out the South-Danes over high seas the Honor-Shieldings. I was a young man and those years were my first guiding this people governing men this stronghold of heroes. Hergar was dead my elder brother with the unliving Half-Dane's boy. He was better than I. Afterwards silver settled the feud. I sent to the Wilfings over the water's ridge ancient treasures. He swore oaths to me. It hurts my heart to have to tell any man of the humiliation Grendel has caused me —what grief in Hart his unanticipated acts of terror have wrought— with his heinous tactics. My hall-troop of fighters has dwindled. Fate has swept them into Grendel's maw. God could easily put an end to this crazy killer's doings! How often they boasted —beer-drunken front-liners over a foamy cup— how they planned to remain in the mead-hall to take Grendel on with grim blade. Then this mead-hall in the morning time would be stained with blood where they'd stationed themselves the benches drenched when day broke the hall strewn with human remains and those faithful to me the fewer in number. Sit now to the feast and unfetter for the men as your spirit inspires you a speech about triumph!
Then for the Gautish men gathered together a bench was cleared in the beer-hall. Proud in their strength they strode to their seats zealous spirits. An observant thane served them who held in his hands the handsome ale-cup. He poured the clear drink. The poet's song ran bright in Hart. A celebration was held by no small gang of Gauts and Danes. Unferth spoke Edgelaf's son who sat at the foot of the son of Half-Dane. He unfettered a fight-rune. He found it intolerable that any man could ever be more admired on middle earth higher under heaven than he himself. Beewolf's voyage vexed him greatly—
Are you the Beewolf who was Breki's opponent on the ocean swellson the open sea in a swimming contestin oarsmanship where you breasted the breakerswhere you braved the breakers out of braggardly pride and in deep water for a dumb boast risked your lives? There was no reasoning with you. Friend and foe failed to dissuade you from going a-sea on that sorry excursion. There with your arms you thatched the flood paced off the sea-street with the palms of your hands on the water's surface which surged up into winter's waves. In the water's possession you labored for a week. He left you on the water. He had the more muscle. When morning arrived he was lifted by the surf onto the land of the Raumar where he left to seek the land of his birth prized by his people his prosperous capital in the realm of the Brondings where he was rich in folk commerce and gold. He carried out the boast he could beat you Breki did. But worse things await you though all previous perils may have passed you by in dangerous battles if you dare to stay not far from Grendel the full night.
Beewolf answered —Edgetheow's son—
What an awful lot Unferth my friend besotted with beer you've said about Breki have told of his tale. The truth of the matter is that my stroke is stronger my stamina greater out on the waves than any other man's. We were both of us boys when we boasted so and made that pact impetuous youths to risk our lives. And really we did. We had naked swords right next to us to keep away the killer whales when we went a-sea. He wasn't able to gain an inch by going faster on the choppy seas—and I chose not to leave him. We were side by side on the sea together for five days till driven apart by walls of water weather the coldest darkening night and the north wind turned its attack on us. They were turbulent seas. The fish had become frenzied by now. My close-knit corselet kept me safe hardened handlocked it helped me there. It lay on my breast that braided garment trimmed with gold. I was drawn to the bottom held tight in the terrible grip of a grim man-killer. I was granted however to reach the brute with the brunt of my sword my battle-blade. Battle-rush claimed the mighty creature by means of my hand. I was time and again attacked in this way assaulted and battered. I served them fair sentence with my fine sword. They had their chance to chew me up and gulp me down good-for-nothings who sat to banquet at the bottom of the sea but when day dawned down they lay with blade wounds where the wave strands put to sleep by the sword and since that time on the high seas for seafaring men they've not lain in wait. Light shone from the east God's bright beacon. The billows subsided so I could see the sea-cliffs the windy walls. Wyrd often rescues the unmarked man whose moxie holds out. And so it came to pass I killed with my sword nine of those monsters. I have never heard of a harder night-fight under heaven's roof nor on the sea-streams of one suffering more. And so from the mouth of the enemy I emerged with my life weary with the ordeal and away I was swept by the force of the sea to the Finns' land awash in the current. Any word of you enduring such danger such dire peril would be news to me. Breki never displayed such swordsmanship and it's certain you haven't he made never a splash as newsworthy with blood-stained blade. Not to blather about it but you did become a kin-slayer you murdered your brothers and many a torment awaits you in h ll your wit notwithstanding. The fact of the matter is that the monster Grendel would have managed to commit not as many atrocities —inhuman acts against Hart and your lord— if your constitution had been —your temper— as grim son of Edgelaf as you yourself like to say it is. He discovered instead no cause to fear the furious edge in that feud with your people to tremble before the Triumph-Shieldings. He takes his spoils and spares no one of the Danish people but does as he pleases killing and feeding and fears no reprisal from the Spear-Danes. He may expect soon a summons from me to savor Gautland's might and valor. With their mood high men may to their mead with morning-light when tomorrow's sun in its mantle of radiance shines from the south on the sons of men.
This brightened the mood of the breaker of rings with hair of gray and tried by war. Help had arrived. In Beewolf the leader of the Illustrious Danes the people's shepherd heard unshakable will. There was laughter of men. Lively sound. Words were light-hearted. Wealhtheow went out Hrutger's queen as required by custom wearing gold to welcome the men. The solemn woman presented the cup first to the king as keeper of that land bade him partake of the beer ritual loved by his people. Delighted the king observed the form of feast and hall-cup. Then around the hall the Helming woman gave a portion to each from the precious cup the men and the lads till the moment had come when she arrived at Beewolf. The ring-adorned queen of purposeful mind proffered the mead-cup. She greeted the Gauts and God she thanked with judicious words for her wish had been granted that she might look for help for deliverance from evils to some man. He accepted the cup the fierce warrior from Wealhtheow and spoke words inspired by war. Beewolf said son of Edgetheow—
I was determined to do when I took to sea when I boarded ship with my band of men whatever required to earn the hearts of the Danish people or to die trying in his devilish clutches. I shall do without fail what a man must do or meet my end my final day in this feast-hall.
The woman was pleased with the words he spoke by the Gaut's vow. In her gold she went a solemn queen to sit with her lord. Then as before in that feast-hall were proud words spoken the people happy sounds of victory. Eventually the king son of Half-Dane sought to go to his night's rest. He knew the creature would come to the hall with killing in mind when they would see the sun's light —as dusk became the darkness of night and creepy things came crawling from the shadows— pale beneath clouds. The people arose. Then Hrutger hailed Beewolf the one the other and wished him well granted him custody of the great hall announcing as follows—
I never entrusted while I could wield weapon and shield this edifice to any man the Danes' hall as I do to you now. Have and hold this highest of houses. Recall who you are. Call on your strength. Be watchful for foes. You shall want for nothing if concluding this mission you cling to your life.
Then the king went to go with his corps of soldiers the lord of the Shieldings left the hall. The war-leader wanted to go to Wealhtheow his queen and consort. Men were quick to repeat that his highness had set a hall-watch to guard against Grendel given the task of protecting their lord from attacking giants. Truly the Gaut must trust in his strength and in God's favor for he had gotten out of his iron mail-shirt removed his helmet and his fancy sword of the finest iron he handed to a boy and said could he watch over his war gear a while for him! The brave fellow was bragging about it Beewolf the Gaut before going to bed—
The fruits of my war-labors are no fewer in number than the grim harvest Grendel has reaped. I won't send him to sleep with my sword for his deeds won't put him to death though I've the power to do it. He is poorly equipped to press an attack to hew through a shield though his heinous works have won him a name. We tonight shall do without swords should he dare to come looking for war without weapon and in His wisdom God decide on which hand the Holy Lord fame is to fall as seem fitting to Him.
The bold one lay down —the bolster enfolded the man's temple— and with his men around him —able-bodied seamen— sank into sleep. Not a lad expected to leave that place for the land he loved where he'd lived as a boy and the folk who had fostered and fed him were waiting for all had heard how horrible death had fetched from that mead-hall far too many. ... Down from the moor's mist-covered hills Grendel descended. He bore God's wrath. With malice aforethought the mankiller came to that highest of halls for a hapless victim. He walked under clouds till the wondrous hall resplendent with gold was plainly in view the feast-hall of men. It wasn't the first time he had paid Hrutger's household a visit. He never encountered not in his life harder heroes or hall-thanes. A man on a mission he marched to the building in dolorous mood. The door gave way with a push from his hand on its hinges of iron. With the force of his fury he'd unfastened the door from the mouth of the building. A moment later the enemy stepped on the inlaid floor and entered in anger. In his eyes welled up like a wick catching fire a wicked light. He spied in the hall sprawled out asleep together a slew of lads limbs akimbo. He was laughing inside. His mind was on making mincemeat of someone before the rising of the sun deranged creature vitals for victuals on dividing each body life from limb. Though it looked to him he'd be munching on more man flesh in the course of the night the kinsman of Huugleik the mighty one saw how the man-killer was poised to pounce on the people asleep. Not that the monster took a minute to think— he fiercely grabbed for his first course a sleeping man slashed him open bit through his bones drank the blood from his veins swallowed the chunks. He swiftly devoured the formless corpse finished it off feet and hands. A foot or two nearer and he took in his hands the determined hero lying at rest. The malevolent creature was ready to maul him but right at that moment he rose on his elbow ready for trouble. The kinsman of Huugleik our hero recalled the evening's words... How he wished for an exit when the grim one arose and gripped him tight. Tendons were snapping. He turned towards the door. He blocked the way out. The blameworthy man would have fled to the fens. His fingers he thought were caught in a vise. The killer had taken one sorry excursion when he set out for Hart. The din resounded. It seemed to the Danes who remained in that stronghold to each man in that hall a baleful brawl. Both of those hall-thanes were full of the fury. The fortress thundered. A wonder indeed that the wine-hall withstood those creatures of battle and never crashed to the ground on its fair foundations. But it was fastened with cunning inside and out by iron bands with all the skill of the smith. Where that scrap took place men have reported that many a mead-bench lavished with gold came loose from the floor. The Shielding advisors had been sure of its strength. No man could bring down this marvelous building inlaid with ivory with lever or tackle although flame might enshroud it. A shriek arose again and again a ghastly lament a horror to the Danes who heard that song within their walls that wail of defeat... It was not the intention of the protector of men to allow that killer to leave there alive whose life he considered of little utility to anyone anywhere. Edge was unsheathed. Beewolf's thanes brandished their heirlooms. They meant to defend the famous one's life to keep the hero from harm. If they could help him they would. They were unaware as they entered the fray warriors hardened and well-trained and had in mind to hew their way to seek his soul no sword on earth though blade be forged from the finest iron could touch him who had taken untold lives for he had cast a spell on cutting edge... He then discovered who had caused mankind a great share of grief and misery by his crimes and offenses feuding with God that the shell of his body couldn't shelter him now that Huugleik's kinsman our hero had grasped his life by the hand. They were loath to see each other alive. The degenerate received a serious injury. The sinews had snapped and his shoulder'd been ripped right from its socket exposing bone, shreds of muscle. Beewolf had victory granted him there. Grendel had to flee mortally wounded to his miserable lair down in the fens. Doubtless he knew his lifetime had run the length of its course the number of its days. The Danes had come through great bloodshed grateful victors. He had travelled far intrepid and wise and had handled the crisis in Hrutger's hall had cured its condition. The accomplishment pleased him the glorious night-work. The Gautish man had honored his vow to the East-Danes. He had made things better removed their distress the sorrow at heart they were suffering from. In the throes of their helplessness they'd had to endure no minor indignity. In remembrance of which the war-hero hung that hand as a token the arm and the shoulder all there together —Grendel's grip— beneath the gabled roof. The following morning as men have reported around that gift-hall had gathered a crowd. Folk-leaders had fared from far and near over highways and by-ways to behold that wonder the scene of the violence. Certainly no one was aggrieved by the fate that had greeted the killer— not a man who beheld there the ignominious trail where weary at heart away from that place undone by his wounds to the demonous lake dead on his feet his last footsteps had brought him. Blood was upwelling to the water's surface —the lapping waves a loathsome suspension— so that the water's edge was awash with blood. The depths hid the dying one when —done with delights— he'd retreated to the fens and forfeited life. ... They turned for home those trusty veterans like so many lads upon swift steeds their hearts high hard from the chase. The men on their mounts were commending Beewolf's courage exclaiming that under the sky's compass from sea to sea neither south nor north the wide world over lived no worthier man to rule a land who could raise a shield! ... Now steadfast warriors brought steeds to a gallop racing their stallions upon the rich turf where the fairways they judged to be firm under foot of requisite quality. Now the king's thane who kept in his memory recalling at will legends and lays who was laden with speeches and knew virtually all of the venerable sagas found instead another story to tell. He launched an account lashed securely The Voyage of Beewolf and with verve he brought his craft up to speed. ... The equestrians slowed to a quieter pace upon the main road. Morning light had outdistanced them all: pedestrians eager to get a glimpse of the marvel had gathered in numbers at the hall so high. Hrutger himself guardian of treasure trod in procession from his lady's bower many lords behind him as custom required and his consort beside him walked the mead-path maidens in train.
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