Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/55

Rh Hrothgar answered, helmet of Scyldings:— “I knew him of yore in his youthful days; his agéd father was Ecgtheow named, to whom, at home, gave Hrethel the Geat his only daughter. Their offspring bold fares hither to seek the steadfast friend. And seamen, too, have said me this,— who carried my gifts to the Geatish court, thither for thanks,—he has thirty men’s heft of grasp in the gripe of his hand, the bold-in-battle. Blesséd God out of his mercy this man hath sent to Danes of the West, as I ween indeed, against horror of Grendel. I hope to give the good youth gold for his gallant thought. Be thou in haste, and bid them hither, clan of kinsmen, to come before me; and add this word,—they are welcome guests to folk of the Danes.” [To the door of the hall Wulfgar went] and the word declared:— “To you this message my master sends, East-Danes’ king, that your kin he knows,