A son and heir, young in his dwelling,
          Whom God-Father sent to solace the people. 
          He had marked the misery malice had caused them,
       15 [1]That reaved of their rulers they wretched had erstwhile[2]
          Long been afflicted.  The Lord, in requital,
          Wielder of Glory, with world-honor blessed him. 
          Famed was Beowulf, far spread the glory
          Of Scyld’s great son in the lands of the Danemen.

[2]

{The ideal Teutonic king lavishes gifts on his vassals.}

       20 So the carle that is young, by kindnesses rendered
          The friends of his father, with fees in abundance
          Must be able to earn that when age approacheth
          Eager companions aid him requitingly,
          When war assaults him serve him as liegemen: 
       25 By praise-worthy actions must honor be got
          ’Mong all of the races.  At the hour that was fated

{Scyld dies at the hour appointed by Fate.}

          Scyld then departed to the All-Father’s keeping
          Warlike to wend him; away then they bare him
          To the flood of the current, his fond-loving comrades,
       30 As himself he had bidden, while the friend of the Scyldings
          Word-sway wielded, and the well-loved land-prince
          Long did rule them.[3] The ring-stemmed vessel,
          Bark of the atheling, lay there at anchor,
          Icy in glimmer and eager for sailing;

{By his own request, his body is laid on a vessel and wafted seaward.}

       35 The beloved leader laid they down there,
          Giver of rings, on the breast of the vessel,
          The famed by the mainmast.  A many of jewels,
          Of fretted embossings, from far-lands brought over,
          Was placed near at hand then; and heard I not ever
       40 That a folk ever furnished a float more superbly
          With weapons of warfare, weeds for the battle,
          Bills and burnies; on his bosom sparkled
          Many a jewel that with him must travel
          On the flush of the flood afar on the current.
       45 And favors no fewer they furnished him soothly,
          Excellent folk-gems, than others had given him

{He leaves Daneland on the breast of a bark.}

          Who when first he was born outward did send him
          Lone on the main, the merest of infants: 
          And a gold-fashioned standard they stretched under heaven
[3] 50 High o’er his head, let the holm-currents bear him,
          Seaward consigned him:  sad was their spirit,
          Their mood very mournful.  Men are not able

{No one knows whither the boat drifted.}

          Soothly to tell us, they in halls who reside,[4]
          Heroes under heaven, to what haven he hied.