< Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu
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BEOWULF

141

2725his mortal wound; full well he knew

his portion now was past and gone
of earthly bliss, and all had fled
of his file of days, and death was near:
“I would fain bestow on son of mine
2730this gear of war, were given me now
that any heir should after me come
of my proper blood. This people I ruled
fifty winters. No folk-king was there,
none at all, of the neighboring clans
2735who war would wage me with ‘warriors’-friends’[1]
and threat me with horrors. At home I bided
what fate might come, and I cared for mine own;
feuds I sought not, nor falsely swore
ever on oath. For all these things,
2740though fatally wounded, fain am I![2]
From the Ruler-of-Man no wrath shall seize me,
when life from my frame must flee away,

for killing of kinsmen! Now quickly go
  1. ↑ That is, swords. See v. 1810, above. “Friend-of-war” would be a more exact translation of the kenning.
  2. ↑ “With a joyful spirit, I Sir Richard Grenville, die.” “I am no sinner,” says Beowulf, “and die a glad man.” This mood of the happy warrior in death has had less clerical correction than occurred in a similar situation in The Fight at Maldon. Byrhtnoth, dying on the field, looks up to heaven and says:—
    “I praise and thank thee, Prince of Nations,
    for all the bliss this earth has brought me!
    Now, Merciful Maker, is most my need
    that thou good speed to my spirit give,
    and let my soul to thee safely come,
    pass in peace to thy power and keeping,
    Prince of Angels! I pray thee well
    that it get no harm from hell’s destroyers.”
    For the unmixed note of exultation we turn to the pagan Norsemen.
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