our homes. Here have we been kindly treated. If there is more that I
can do, O lord of men, I shall always be ready. If when far away I
hear that foes surround thee, I shall come to help thee with many
warriors. Well I know that my king, Hygelac, will send me to thy aid."

Then Hrothgar spoke: "Into thy mind has the wise God sent these kind
words. Never have I heard wiser words from one so young. Thou art
strong and wise, and I think that if death should take Hygelac, the
people would wish thee for their king. So well hast thou borne thyself
that there shall be peace between the Danes and Goths, and many a gift
I shall send to thee over the great sea."

Then Hrothgar gave to Beowulf rich gifts and bade him seek his home in
safety. The good king wept when he said good-bye, for he loved the
noble youth and was sad to have him go away over the deep sea.

Beowulf was glad and proud of the king's praise. He set sail from the
land of Hrothgar, and often he and his men admired the rich gifts of
the great and good king.

Beowulf and Hygelac

Over ocean-stream went the brave youths and soon saw the shores of the
Goths, their homeland. Beowulf and his men brought the ship high up on
the shore lest the billow's force might wreck it. Then Beowulf ordered
them to carry the noble gifts of Hrothgar. Near the sea-wall was the
home of Hygelac. The bright sun, the candle of the world, was shining
when the brave Beowulf and his men went to greet their king. Hygelac
was glad to see their safe returning, and said: "Tell me, friend
Beowulf, how the Danes treated you. Long have I feared for you,
knowing you would meet Grendel, the deadly foe of men."

Beowulf answered: "Right well did Hrothgar greet me and gave me a seat
in his hall next his own son. All the people were gay, and never have
I seen a grander hall or greater cheer. Oft the sweet queen left her
seat and spoke to the young warriors, giving one and another a wreath.
Oft their young daughter bore the mead-cup to her father's friends.

"So all the day we spent in song and story. At night the beast Grendel
came. First he seized and slew one of my kindred, and then sought me.
But I seized his right hand and would not let go my hold. Long we
fought, and at last he fled, in the night, to his home in the black
waters. But his hand and arm were torn from him, and from this wound
he died.

"Much praise and many gifts I had from the old king, when he learn