Faraway countries he were better to seek for
          Who trusts in himself.”  Hrothgar discoursed then,
          Making rejoinder:  “These words thou hast uttered
       25 All-knowing God hath given thy spirit!

{O Beowulf, thou art wise beyond thy years.}

          Ne’er heard I an earlman thus early in life
          More clever in speaking:  thou’rt cautious of spirit,
          Mighty of muscle, in mouth-answers prudent. 
          I count on the hope that, happen it ever
       30 That missile shall rob thee of Hrethel’s descendant,
          Edge-horrid battle, and illness or weapon
          Deprive thee of prince, of people’s protector,

{Should Higelac die, the Geats could find no better successor than thou wouldst make.}

          And life thou yet holdest, the Sea-Geats will never
          Find a more fitting folk-lord to choose them,
       35 Gem-ward of heroes, than thou mightest prove thee,
          If the kingdom of kinsmen thou carest to govern. 
          Thy mood-spirit likes me the longer the better,
          Beowulf dear:  thou hast brought it to pass that
          To both these peoples peace shall be common,

{Thou hast healed the ancient breach between our races.}

       40 To Geat-folk and Danemen, the strife be suspended,
          The secret assailings they suffered in yore-days;
          And also that jewels be shared while I govern
          The wide-stretching kingdom, and that many shall visit
          Others o’er the ocean with excellent gift-gems: 
       45 The ring-adorned bark shall bring o’er the currents
          Presents and love-gifts.  This people I know
          Tow’rd foeman and friend firmly established,[1]
          After ancient etiquette everywise blameless.” 
          Then the warden of earlmen gave him still farther,

{Parting gifts}

       50 Kinsman of Healfdene, a dozen of jewels,
          Bade him safely seek with the presents
          His well-beloved people, early returning.

[64]

{Hrothgar kisses Beowulf, and weeps.}

          Then the noble-born king kissed the distinguished,
          Dear-loved liegeman, the Dane-prince saluted him,
       55 And clasped his neck; tears from him fell,
          From the gray-headed man:  he two things expected,
          Aged and reverend, but rather the second,
          [2]That bold in council they’d meet thereafter. 
          The man was so dear that he failed to suppress the
       60 Emotions that moved him, but in mood-fetters fastened

{The old king is deeply grieved to part with his benefactor.}

          The long-famous hero longeth in secret
          Deep in his spirit for the dear-beloved man
          Though not a blood-kinsman.  Beowulf thenceward,
          Gold-splendid warrior, walked o’er the meadows
       65 Exulting in treasure:  the sea-going vessel
          Riding at anchor awaited its owner. 
          As they pressed on their way then, the present of Hrothgar