Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/85

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And the lord of earls, to each that came with Beowulf over the briny ways, an heirloom there at the ale-bench gave, precious gift; and the price bade pay in gold for him whom Grendel erst murdered,—and fain of them more had killed, had not wisest God their Wyrd averted, and the man’s brave mood. The Maker then ruled human kind, as here and now. Therefore is insight always best, and forethought of mind. How much awaits him of lief and of loath, who long time here, through days of warfare this world endures!

Then song and music mingled sounds in the presence of Healfdene’s head-of-armies and harping was heard with the hero-lay as Hrothgar’s singer the hall-joy woke along the mead-seats, making his song of that sudden raid on the sons of Finn. Healfdene’s hero, Hnæf the Scylding, was fated to fall in the Frisian slaughter.