he stout spears and war-shields? Great men and proud you seem, and
methinks you plan great deeds."

Then the proud lord, the leader, spoke: "Beowulf is my name. I will
relate my errand to your prince if he will grant that we may greet him."

Replied the Dane: "I will seek the king and tell him of your coming."
Quickly he came to Hrothgar, sitting with his wise men, and told him of
the strangers, praising the hardy warriors. Kindly spoke the king:
"Glad am I that Beowulf and his brave Goths have come thus to our
shores. For I have heard he has the strength of thirty in his
hand-grip. Him God in his great mercy has sent to us. Hasten, bid
them come in! Tell them that they are welcome guests to the Danes."

Beowulf received by Hrothgar

When the king's message had been told, Beowulf and all his men entered
the hall. Proud and warlike he stood before the king. "Hrothgar,
hail! Kinsman to Hygelac am I and daring deeds have I done. Now I
have heard that this brave hall of yours stands empty and silent when
night shuts out the day, because of Grendel's warfare. So I have come
with my good friends to help you. Deny me not one prayer: that I alone
with my brave thanes fight with Grendel. This monster fights not with
weapons, I have heard. Then I also will bear neither sword nor shield,
but with my strong hands will I seize him. If Grendel conquers me in
the battle, he will carry me off; so no care need you take of my body,
but send to Hygelac my armour."

At the brave, strong words of the young Beowulf the heart of the old
king rejoiced. "I welcome you to my home. Come, now, let us sit at
the feast and listen to the songs of brave deeds," said the king. Then
the mead-cup was passed, the gleeman sang, and there was joy in the
hall.

One man in the hall did not rejoice; there was envy in his heart, for
he did not wish any other man on earth to have more glory than himself.
So he said: "Are you the Beowulf who strove with Breca in the wide sea
in swimming? For seven nights you strove, but he had more strength and
overcame you in the race. Surely if you dare to fight with Grendel,
worse things will befall you."

Then spoke Beowulf: "Much do you speak of Breca. Now I speak the
truth. More strength on the sea have I than any other man. Five days
were we together. Then the cold winds and waves drove us apart. Many
a water monster tried to kill me, but sank to the bottom of the sea
with a blow fro