[4] The H.-So. glossary is very inconsistent in referring to this passage.—­’Sibbe’ (154), which H.-So. regards as an instr., B. takes as accus., obj. of ‘wolde.’  Putting a comma after Deniga, he renders:  He did not desire peace with any of the Danes, nor did he wish to remove their life-woe, nor to settle for money.

[5] Of this difficult passage the following interpretations among others are given:  (1) Though Grendel has frequented Heorot as a demon, he could not become ruler of the Danes, on account of his hostility to God. (2) Hrothgar was much grieved that Grendel had not appeared before his throne to receive presents. (3) He was not permitted to devastate the hall, on account of the Creator; i.e. God wished to make his visit fatal to him.—­Ne ... wisse (169) W. renders:  Nor had he any desire to do so; ‘his’ being obj. gen. = danach.

[8]

IV.

BEOWULF GOES TO HROTHGAR’S ASSISTANCE.

{Hrothgar sees no way of escape from the persecutions of Grendel.}

          So Healfdene’s kinsman constantly mused on
          His long-lasting sorrow; the battle-thane clever
          Was not anywise able evils to ’scape from: 
          Too crushing the sorrow that came to the people,
        5 Loathsome and lasting the life-grinding torture,

{Beowulf, the Geat, hero of the poem, hears of Hrothgar’s sorrow, and resolves to go to his assistance.}

          Greatest of night-woes.  So Higelac’s liegeman,
          Good amid Geatmen, of Grendel’s achievements
          Heard in his home:[1] of heroes then living
          He was stoutest and strongest, sturdy and noble.
       10 He bade them prepare him a bark that was trusty;
          He said he the war-king would seek o’er the ocean,
          The folk-leader noble, since he needed retainers. 
          For the perilous project prudent companions
          Chided him little, though loving him dearly;
       15 They egged the brave atheling, augured him glory.

{With fourteen carefully chosen companions, he sets out for Dane-land.}

          The excellent knight from the folk of the Geatmen
          Had liegemen selected, likest to prove them
          Trustworthy warriors; with fourteen companions
          The vessel he looked for; a liegeman then showed them,
       20 A sea-crafty man, the bounds of the country. 
          Fast the days fleeted; the float was a-water,
          The craft by the cliff.  Clomb to the prow then
          Well-equipped warriors:  the wave-currents twisted
          The sea on the sand; soldiers then carried
       25 On the breast of the vessel bright-shining jewels,
          Handsome war-armor; heroes outshoved then,
          Warmen the wood-ship, on its wished-for adventure.