Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/67

Rh “This was my thought, when my thanes and I bent to the ocean and entered our boat, that I would work the will of your people fully, or fighting fall in death, in fiend’s gripe fast. I am firm to do an earl’s brave deed, or end the days of this life of mine in the mead-hall here.” Well these words to the woman seemed, Beowulf’s battle-boast. — Bright with gold the stately dame by her spouse sat down. Again, as erst, began in hall warriors’ wassail and words of power, the proud-band’s revel, till presently the son of Healfdene hastened to seek rest for the night; he knew there waited fight for the fiend in that festal hall, when the sheen of the sun they saw no more, and dusk of night sank darkling nigh, and shadowy shapes came striding on, wan under welkin. The warriors rose. Man to man, he made harangue, Hrothgar to Beowulf, bade him hail, let him wield the wine hall: a word he added:— “Never to any man erst I trusted, since I could heave up hand and shield, this noble Dane-Hall, till now to thee.