“Then was in the morning twilight, at the breaking of day, Grendel’s war-craft revealed to men.  Then was lamentation upraised after the feast, a great noise in the morning.

“The mighty prince, a noble of old goodness, sat unblithe; the strong in armies suffered, the thanes endured sorrow, after they beheld the track of the hated one, the accursed spirit.”

But in spite of all their grief and horror, when night came the thanes again lay down to rest in the great hall.  And there again the monster returned and slew yet more thanes, so that in horror all forsook the hall, and for twelve long years none abode in it after the setting of the sun.

And now far across the sea a brave man of the Goths, Beowulf by name, heard of the doings of Grendel, and he made up his mind to come to the aid of King Hrothgar.

“He commanded to make ready for him a good ship; quoth he, he would seek the war-king over the swan’s path; the renowned prince since he had need of men.

“The good chieftain had chosen warriors of the Geatish people, the bravest of those who he could find.  With fifteen men he sought the sea-wood.  A warrior, a man crafty in lakes, pointed out the boundaries of the land.

“The time passed on, the ship was on the waves, the boat beneath a mountain, the ready warriors stept upon the prow.  The men bore into the bosom of the bark bright ornaments, their ready warlike appointments.

“The men shoved forth the bounden wood, the men upon the journey they desired.

“The likest to a bird the foam-necked ship, propelled by the wind, started over the deep waves of the sea, till that about one hour of the second day, the wreathed prowed ship had sailed over, so that the traveller saw the land.

“Then quickly the people of the Westerns stepped upon the plain.  They tied the sea-wood, they let down their shirts of mail, their war-weeds.  They thanked God because that the waves had been easy to them.”

And now these new-come warriors were led to King Hrothgar.  He greeted them with joy, and after feasting and song the Danes and their King departed and left the Goths to guard the hall.  Quietly they lay down to rest, knowing that ere morning stern battle would be theirs.

“Then under veils of mist came Grendel from the moor; he bare God’s anger.  The criminal meant to entrap some one of the race of men in the high hall.  He went under the welkin, until he saw most clearly the wine hall, the treasure house of men, variegated with vessels.  That was not the first time that he had sought Hrothgar’s home.  Never he, in all his life before or since found bolder men keepers of the hall.

“Angry of mood he went, from his eyes, likest to fire, stood out a hideous light.  He saw within the house many a warrior sleeping, a peaceful band together.  Then his mood laughed.  The foul wretch meant to divide, ere day came, the life of each from his body.”