Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/57

Rh empty and idle, when evening sun in the harbor of heaven is hidden away. So my vassals advised me well,— brave and wise, the best of men,— O sovran Hrothgar, to seek thee here, for my nerve and my might they knew full well. Themselves had seen me from slaughter come blood-flecked from foes, where five I bound, and that wild brood worsted. I’ the waves I slew nicors by night, in need and peril avenging the Weders, whose woe they sought,— crushing the grim ones. Grendel now, monster cruel, be mine to quell in single battle! So, from thee, thou sovran of the Shining-Danes, Scyldings’-bulwark, a boon I seek,— and, Friend-of-the-folk, refuse it not, O Warriors’-shield, now I’ve wandered far,— that I alone with my liegemen here, this hardy band, may Heorot purge! More I hear, that the monster dire,