Read Online Beowulf by Frederick Rebsamen - Free Book Online Page B

kin.
 
                                   The song was ended
1160
the gleeman’s tale. It was time for joy
 
bench-laughter brightened bearers brought forth
 
wine in wonder-cups. Then Wealhtheow approached
 
with gold-gleaming neck-ring where nephew and king
 
feasted in friendship yet faithful as kin.
 
There was Unferth the heckler at Hrothgar’s feet—
 
they held him in trust hailed his courage
 
though to his family he failed in honor
 
at clashing of swordedge. The queen spoke then:
 
“Take this cupful my king and husband
1170
treasure-hall’s lord. Look to happiness
 
gold-friend to men—to these Geats offer
 
welcoming words as a wise man should.
 
Be glad with these Geats give of that treasure
 
fetched to your goldhoard from far and from near.
 
I have heard men say you would have for a son
 
that hero among them. Heorot is purged
 
this bright wine-hall. Wield while you can
 
these fine riches and to family give
 
this land and kingdom when you leave this world
1180
to seek your destiny. I am sure that Hrothulf
 
our kind brother-son will care for our young ones
 
guide and hold them if you go before him
 
give up this world in your waning years.
 
He will surely repay us shelter our sons
 
if he well remembers how we watched over him
 
held him as our own gave help in everything
 
saw that our kin had a safe childhood.”
 
She turned to the benches where her boys were sitting
 
Hrethric and Hrothmund and a host of young ones
1190
the youth together—there the good one sat
 
Beowulf the Geat by the brothers’ side.
    H AVING PUBLICLY REMINDED Hrothulf of his duty to her two young sons—as she later solicits Beowulf’s help with them—Wealhtheow turns to where they sit with Beowulf and presents him with further rewards, including a gold neck-ring compared by the Beowulf poet with the legendary Brosinga necklace in one of his briefest and most obscure allusions. Drawing upon both history and legend, we may think of Hama as having stolen this great collar or torque from Eormenric (the historic Gothic king Ermanaric) and carried it to the “bright city” where he chose “eternal glory”—probably a reference to his acceptance of Christianity. We then have the first of several references to Hygelac’s later invasion of the lower Rhine, where he is killed. Though Beowulf later presents this neck-ring to Hygd, the poet here says that Hygelac wore it on his fatal expedition.
 
A cup was offered in kind friendship
 
with terms of welcome then twisted gold
 
placed before him fine arm-bracelets
 
corselets and garments with the greatest neck-ring
 
of all on this earth that ever I heard of.
 
No tales have told of a treasure so rich
 
a finer hoard-ring since Hama carried
 
to that bright city the Brosinga necklace,
1200
famed gold-marvel, fled with that treasure
 
from Eormenric’s torment to eternal glory.
 
That neck-ring was worn by war-King Hygelac
 
Swerting’s nephew when he sailed from home
 
led a plunder-raid on his last voyage
 
fought for war-booty. Wyrd took him then
 
when boasting with pride he brought to them all
 
death among Frisians. He ferried that treasure
 
studded with gemstones over seething wave-rolls
 
fated king-warrior—he fell beneath his shield.
1210
To the Franks he left his lifeless body
 
gold-laced mailcoat and glorious neck-ring.
 
Then lesser warriors looted that treasure
 
as he lay battle-shorn lord of the Geats—
 
he paid for that pride.
 
                                   Applause filled the hall
 
as Wealhtheow spoke stood before her