"In this description of the writing on the sword, we see the
process of
transition
from heathen magic to the notions of Christian times
.
Beowulf
ll. 1680-1682. Giants and their work are also referred to at ll. 113, 455,
1563, 1691, etc.
l. 1680. Cf. ceastra ... orðanc enta geweorc, _Gnomic Verses_, l. 2;
Sweet's Reader, p. 186.
ll. 1687-1697.
"In this description of the writing on the sword, we see the
process of
transition
from heathen magic to the notions of Christian times
.
... The history of the flood and of the giants ... were substitutes for
names of heathen gods, and magic spells for victory."--E. Cf. Mohammedan
usage.
