XXXI
So the folk-king lived as was right2145Not at all had I lost by these rewards,
This meed of might, but he gave me treasures,
The son of Healfdene, at mine own will,
Which I will to thee, warlike king, bring,
Willingly offer. Still on thee is all
2150Of favor dependent: I have very few
Of near relations save, Hygelac, thee."
He bade then bring in the boar's-head-sign
The battle-high helmet, the hoary burnie
The war-sword ornate, his word then uttered:
2155"This cuirass to me Hrothgar then gave,
The crafty chief, bade with some words
That I of its origin first should thee tell,
Said that it had Hiorogar king,
Prince of the Scyldings, for a long while:
2160Not to his son sooner would he it give,
To the brave Heoroweard, though to him he were dear,
The defence of the breast. Use thou it well!"
I heard that to the armor four horses too,
Exactly alike, in their tracks followed,
2165Yellow as apples: he to him gave possession
Of horses and jewels. So shall a friend do,
Not at all cunning snares weave for another,
With secret craft death for him prepare,
His hand-companion. To Hygelac was,
2170In battle brave, his nephew devoted.
And each to the other mindful of kindness.
I heard that the necklace he to Hygd gave,
The curious treasure which Wealhtheow gave him,
The prince's daughter, three horses likewise,
2175Slender and saddle-bright: to her after was,
After the ring-giving, the breast adorned.
So bravely bore him Ecgtheow's son,
The man famed in wars, by his good deeds,
He did after right, not at all slew the drunken
2180Hearth-companions: his mind was not cruel,
But he of mankind with greatest power,
The mighty gift, which God him gave,
The warlike one kept. Long he was despised,
As him the Geats' children did not reckon good,
2185Nor him at the mead-bench as worthy of much
The lord of the people would then esteem;
They weened very strongly that he was slothful,
An unwarlike prince; a change after came
To the glory-blessed man of each of his sorrows.
2190The earl's defence bade then bring in,
The warlike king, Hrethel's bequest
Adorned with gold: there was not 'mong the Geats
A better treasure in the shape of a sword:
That did he place in Beowulf's keeping,
2195And to him gave seven thousand of gold,
A house and dominion. To them both together
Among the people was inherited land,
A home and its rights, more to the other,
A wide-spread kingdom, to him who was better.
2200That happened after in later days
By battle-contests, when Hygelac died,
And to Heardred swords of battle
Under the shields were as a murderer,
When him there sought 'mong his victor-people
2205The warriors bold, the Battle-Scylfings,
By war oppressed the nephew of Hereric.
After to Beowulf the kingdom broad
Came into hand: he held it well
Fifty winters (then was the king aged
2210The home-keeper old) until one began
On the dark nights, a dragon, to rule,
Who on the high heath a treasure protected,
A steep stony mountain: the path under lay,
To men unknown. There within went
2215Some one of men, who took his desire
From the heathen hoard: a certain hand-vessel,
Adorned with gold, he there then took,
Made of red gold, so that was robbed
By the fire sleeping the treasure's guardian
2220By a thief's craft: the prince after learnt,
The innocent warrior, that he was enraged.
