I shall manage the matter, with the monster of evil,
          The giant, decide it.  Thee I would therefore
       55 Beg of thy bounty, Bright-Danish chieftain,
          Lord of the Scyldings, this single petition: 
          Not to refuse me, defender of warriors,
          Friend-lord of folks, so far have I sought thee,
          That I may unaided, my earlmen assisting me,
       60 This brave-mooded war-band, purify Heorot. 
          I have heard on inquiry, the horrible creature

{Since the monster uses no weapons,}

          From veriest rashness recks not for weapons;
          I this do scorn then, so be Higelac gracious,
          My liegelord beloved, lenient of spirit,
       65 To bear a blade or a broad-fashioned target,
          A shield to the onset; only with hand-grip

{I, too, shall disdain to use any.}

          The foe I must grapple, fight for my life then,
          Foeman with foeman; he fain must rely on
          The doom of the Lord whom death layeth hold of.

{Should he crush me, he will eat my companions as he has eaten thy thanes.}

       70 I ween he will wish, if he win in the struggle,
          To eat in the war-hall earls of the Geat-folk,
          Boldly to swallow[4] them, as of yore he did often
          The best of the Hrethmen!  Thou needest not trouble
          A head-watch to give me;[5] he will have me dripping

[17]

{In case of my defeat, thou wilt not have the trouble of burying me.}

       75 And dreary with gore, if death overtake me,[6]
          Will bear me off bleeding, biting and mouthing me,
          The hermit will eat me, heedless of pity,
          Marking the moor-fens; no more wilt thou need then

{Should I fall, send my armor to my lord, King Higelac.}

          Find me my food.[7] If I fall in the battle,
       80 Send to Higelac the armor that serveth
          To shield my bosom, the best of equipments,
          Richest of ring-mails; ’tis the relic of Hrethla,

{Weird is supreme}

          The work of Wayland.  Goes Weird as she must go!”

    [1] Some render ‘gif-sceattas’ by ‘tribute.’—­’Geata’ B. and Th.
    emended to ‘Geatum.’  If this be accepted, change ‘of the Geatmen’ to
    ‘to the Geatmen.’

    [2] If t.B.’s emendation of vv. 386, 387 be accepted, the two lines,
    ‘Hasten ... kinsmen’ will read:  Hasten thou, bid the throng of
    kinsmen go into the hall together.