Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/164

148 in death-bed lies, the Lord of Geats on the slaughter-bed sleeps by the serpent’s deed! And beside him is stretched that slayer-of-men with knife-wounds sick: no sword availed on the awesome thing in any wise to work a wound. There Wiglaf sitteth, Weohstan’s bairn, by Beowulf’s side, the living earl by the other dead, and heavy of heart a head-watch keeps o’er friend and foe.—Now our folk may look for waging of war when once unhidden to Frisian and Frank the fall of the king is spread afar.—The strife began when hot on the Hugas Hygelac fell and fared with his fleet to the Frisian land. Him there the Hetwaras humbled in war, plied with such prowess their power o’erwhelming that the bold-in-battle bowed beneath it and fell in fight. To his friends no wise could that earl give treasure! And ever since the Merowings’ favor has failed us wholly. Nor aught expect I of peace and faith from Swedish folk. ’Twas spread afar how Ongentheow reft at Ravenswood Hæthcyn Hrethling of hope and life,