{He has Unferth’s sword in his hand.}

       70 That Hrothgar’s spokesman had lent him when straitened;
          And the hilted hand-sword was Hrunting entitled,
          Old and most excellent ’mong all of the treasures;
          Its blade was of iron, blotted with poison,
          Hardened with gore; it failed not in battle
       75 Any hero under heaven in hand who it brandished,
          Who ventured to take the terrible journeys,
          The battle-field sought; not the earliest occasion
          That deeds of daring ’twas destined to ’complish.

{Unferth has little use for swords.}

          Ecglaf’s kinsman minded not soothly,
       80 Exulting in strength, what erst he had spoken
          Drunken with wine, when the weapon he lent to
          A sword-hero bolder; himself did not venture
          ’Neath the strife of the currents his life to endanger,
[51] To fame-deeds perform; there he forfeited glory,
       85 Repute for his strength.  Not so with the other
          When he clad in his corslet had equipped him for battle.

XXIII.

BEOWULF’S FIGHT WITH GRENDEL’S MOTHER.

{Beowulf makes a parting speech to Hrothgar.}

          Beowulf spake, Ecgtheow’s son: 
          “Recall now, oh, famous kinsman of Healfdene,
          Prince very prudent, now to part I am ready,
          Gold-friend of earlmen, what erst we agreed on,

{If I fail, act as a kind liegelord to my thanes,}

        5 Should I lay down my life in lending thee assistance,
          When my earth-joys were over, thou wouldst evermore serve me
          In stead of a father; my faithful thanemen,
          My trusty retainers, protect thou and care for,
          Fall I in battle:  and, Hrothgar beloved,

{and send Higelac the jewels thou hast given me}

       10 Send unto Higelac the high-valued jewels
          Thou to me hast allotted.  The lord of the Geatmen
          May perceive from the gold, the Hrethling may see it

{I should like my king to know how generous a lord I found thee to be.}

          When he looks on the jewels, that a gem-giver found I
          Good over-measure, enjoyed him while able.
       15 And the ancient heirloom Unferth permit thou,
          The famed one to have, the heavy-sword splendid[1]
          The hard-edged weapon; with Hrunting to aid me,
          I shall gain me glory, or grim-death shall take me.”

{Beowulf is eager for the fray.}

          The atheling of Geatmen uttered these words and
       20 Heroic did hasten, not any rejoinder
          Was willing to wait for; the wave-current swallowed

{He is a whole day reaching the bottom of the sea.}