XXIX
"And seeing their ancestral armor and weapons
Ingeld and his follwers will be angry. And one
Of his soldiers, sitting with ale in his cup
And bitterness heavy in his heart, will remember
War and death, and while he sits and drinks
His sharp old tongue will begin to tempt
Some younger warrior, pushing and probing
For a new war
"That sword, that precious old blade over there,
I thik you know it, friend,
Your father carried it, fought with it the last time
He could swing a sword; the Danes killed him
And many more of our men, and stripped
The dead bodies, the brave bold Danes!
One of the pricess' people, here,
Now might be the murderer's son
Boasting about his treasures, his ancient
Armor, which ought to be yours by right.
"Bitter words will work in a hot tempered
Brain, pusing up thoughts of the past,
ANd, then, when he can, calling his father's
Name, the youngster will kill some innocent Dane,
A servant and bloody sword
In hand will run from the hall, knowing
His way through the woods. But war will begin
And its heat will dry up Ingeld's heart,
Leave him indifferent to his Danish bride.
Hrothgar may think the Hathobards love him,
Loving Freaw, but the friendship can't last,
The vows are worthless.
But of Grendel: you need to know
More to know everything; I ought to
Go on. It was early in the evening, Heaven's
Jewel had slid to its rest, and the jealous
Monster, planning murder, came seeking us
Out, stalking us as we guarded Hrothgar's
Hall. Hondshew sleeping in his armor,
Was the first Geat he reached: Grendel
Seized him, tore him apart, swallowed him.
Down feet and all as fat
Had decreed - a glorious young warrior, killed
In his prime. Yet Grendel had only begun.
His bloody work, meant to leave us
With his belly and his pouch both full, and Herot
Half empty. Then he tested his strength against mine.
Hand to hand, his pouch hung
At his side, a hug bag sewn
From a dragon's skin, worked with a devil's
Skill, it was closed by a marveloous clasp.
The monster intended to take me, put me
Inside, save me for another meal.
He was bold and strong, but once I stood
On my feet his stength was useless and it failed him.
Chapter 30