gefrūnon is a variant on the usual epic
formulǣ
ic gefrægn (l.
Beowulf
NOTES.
l. 1. hwæt: for this interjectional formula opening a poem, cf. _Andreas,
Daniel, Juliana, Exodus, Fata Apost., Dream of the Rood_, and the
"Listenith lordinges!" of mediaeval lays.--E. Cf. Chaucer, Prologue, ed.
Morris, l. 853:
"Sin I shal beginne the game, _What_, welcome be the cut, a Goddes name!"
wē ...
gefrūnon is a variant on the usual epic
formulǣ
ic gefrægn (l.
74)
and mīne gefrǣge (l. 777). _Exodus, Daniel, Phoenix_, etc., open with the
same formula.
l. 1. "Gār was the javelin, armed with two of which the warrior went into
battle, and which he threw over the 'shield-wall.' It was barbed."--Br.
124. Cf. _Maldon_, l. 296; _Judith_, l. 224; _Gnom. Verses_, l.
