{24a} That is, "whoever has as wide
authority
as I have and can
remember so far back so many instances of heroism, may well say, as
I say, that no better hero ever lived than Beowulf.
remember so far back so many instances of heroism, may well say, as
I say, that no better hero ever lived than Beowulf.
Beowulf, translated by Francis Gummere
{19a} They had laid their arms on the benches near where they slept.
{20a} He surmises presently where she is.
{20b} The connection is not difficult. The words of mourning, of
acute grief, are said; and according to Germanic sequence of
thought, inexorable here, the next and only topic is revenge. But is
it possible? Hrothgar leads up to his appeal and promise with a
skillful and often effective description of the horrors which
surround the monster's home and await the attempt of an avenging
foe.
{21a} Hrothgar is probably meant.
{21b} Meeting place.
{22a} Kenning for "sword. " Hrunting is bewitched, laid under a spell
of uselessness, along with all other swords.
{22b} This brown of swords, evidently meaning burnished, bright,
continues to be a favorite adjective in the popular ballads.
{23a} After the killing of the monster and Grendel's decapitation.
{23b} Hrothgar.
{23c} The blade slowly dissolves in blood-stained drops like
icicles.
{23d} Spear.
{24a} That is, "whoever has as wide authority as I have and can
remember so far back so many instances of heroism, may well say, as
I say, that no better hero ever lived than Beowulf. "
{25a} That is, he is now undefended by conscience from the
temptations (shafts) of the devil.
{25b} Kenning for the sun. -- This is a strange role for the raven.
He is the warrior's bird of battle, exults in slaughter and carnage;
his joy here is a compliment to the sunrise.
{26a} That is, he might or might not see Beowulf again. Old as he
was, the latter chance was likely; but he clung to the former,
hoping to see his young friend again "and exchange brave words in
the hall. "
{27a} With the speed of the boat.
{27b} Queen to Hygelac. She is praised by contrast with the
antitype, Thryth, just as Beowulf was praised by contrast with
Heremod.
{27c} Kenning for "wife. "
{28a} Beowulf gives his uncle the king not mere gossip of his
journey, but a statesmanlike forecast of the outcome of certain
policies at the Danish court. Talk of interpolation here is absurd.
As both Beowulf and Hygelac know, -- and the folk for whom the
Beowulf was put together also knew, -- Froda was king of the
Heathobards (probably the Langobards, once near neighbors of Angle
and Saxon tribes on the continent), and had fallen in fight with the
Danes. Hrothgar will set aside this feud by giving his daughter as
"peace-weaver" and wife to the young king Ingeld, son of the slain
Froda. But Beowulf, on general principles and from his observation
of the particular case, foretells trouble.
