Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/108

92 that it gripped her neck and grasped her hard, her bone-rings breaking: the blade pierced through that fated-one’s flesh: to floor she sank. Bloody the blade: he was blithe of his deed. Then blazed forth light. ’Twas bright within as when from the sky there shines unclouded heaven’s candle. The hall he scanned. By the wall then went he; his weapon raised high by its hilts the Hygelac-thane, angry and eager. That edge was not useless to the warrior now. He wished with speed Grendel to guerdon for grim raids many, for the war he waged on Western-Danes oftener far than an only time, when of Hrothgar’s hearth-companions he slew in slumber, in sleep devoured, fifteen men of the folk of Danes, and as many others outward bore, his horrible prey. Well paid for that the wrathful prince! For now prone he saw Grendel stretched there, spent with war, spoiled of life, so scathed had left him Heorot’s battle. The body sprang far when after death it endured the blow, sword-stroke savage, that severed its head.