{The coast-guard, having discharged his duty, bids them God-speed.}

          “’Tis time I were faring; Father Almighty
          Grant you His grace, and give you to journey
       60 Safe on your mission!  To the sea I will get me
          ’Gainst hostile warriors as warden to stand.”

    [1] ‘Edwendan’ (280) B. takes to be the subs. ‘edwenden’ (cf. 1775);
    and ‘bisigu’ he takes as gen. sing., limiting ‘edwenden’:  If
    reparation for sorrows is ever to come.  This is supported by t.B.

[2] Combining the emendations of B. and t.B., we may read:  The boar-images glistened ... brilliant, protected the life of the war-mooded man.  They read ‘ferh-wearde’ (305) and ‘guethmodgum men’ (306).

VI.

BEOWULF INTRODUCES HIMSELF AT THE PALACE.

          The highway glistened with many-hued pebble,
          A by-path led the liegemen together.
          [1]Firm and hand-locked the war-burnie glistened,
          The ring-sword radiant rang ’mid the armor
        5 As the party was approaching the palace together

{They set their arms and armor against the wall.}

          In warlike equipments.  ’Gainst the wall of the building
          Their wide-fashioned war-shields they weary did set then,
[13] Battle-shields sturdy; benchward they turned then;
          Their battle-sarks rattled, the gear of the heroes;
       10 The lances stood up then, all in a cluster,
          The arms of the seamen, ashen-shafts mounted
          With edges of iron:  the armor-clad troopers

{A Danish hero asks them whence and why they are come.}

          Were decked with weapons.  Then a proud-mooded hero
          Asked of the champions questions of lineage: 
       15 “From what borders bear ye your battle-shields plated,
          Gilded and gleaming, your gray-colored burnies,
          Helmets with visors and heap of war-lances?—­
          To Hrothgar the king I am servant and liegeman. 
          ’Mong folk from far-lands found I have never

{He expresses no little admiration for the strangers.}

       20 Men so many of mien more courageous. 
          I ween that from valor, nowise as outlaws,
          But from greatness of soul ye sought for King Hrothgar.”

{Beowulf replies.}

          Then the strength-famous earlman answer rendered,
          The proud-mooded Wederchief replied to his question,

{We are Higelac’s table-companions, and bear an important commission to your prince.}

       25 Hardy ’neath helmet:  “Higelac’s mates are we;
          Beowulf hight I. To the bairn of Healfdene,
          The famous folk-leader, I freely will tell
          To thy prince my commission, if pleasantly hearing