Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/117

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BEOWULF

101

the great-hearted guest would guide his keel.
Bade then the hardy-one Hrunting be brought
to the son of Ecglaf, the sword bade him take,
excellent iron, and uttered his thanks for it,
1810quoth that he counted it keen in battle,
“war-friend” winsome: with words he slandered not
edge of the blade: ’twas a big-hearted man!^[1]
Now eager for parting and armed at point
warriors waited, while went to his host
1815that Darling of Danes. The doughty atheling
to high-seat hastened and Hrothgar greeted.

XXVI

Beowulf spake, bairn of Ecgtheow:—
“Lo, we seafarers say our will,
far-come men, that we fain would seek
1820Hygelac now. We here have found
hosts to our heart: thou hast harbored us well.
If ever on earth I am able to win me

↑ This is the simplest way to render a disputed passage; but it may not be the right way. The “hardy-one” here is Beowulf; he returns “Hrunting” in a formal speech, and praises its merits, laying no stress (properly, for enchantment was at work) on its failure to “bite” in the battle with Grendel’s mother. So the Geat’s courtesy is put in strong relief, and the parting from Unferth is contrasted with the meeting. Probably there were favorite songs once about Beowulf’s flyting with Unferth, and our amiable Christian poet, who has doubtless softened many of its asperities, now lays stress on the reconciliation. Klaeber, however, has shown that the philological ways of this interpretation are not smooth. Moreover, the present to a parting guest was inexorable custom in Germania; and Unferth is only doing his duty when (the passage can so be read) he, “the hardy-one,” the son of Ecglaf, orders “Hrunting” to be brought to Beowulf, who accepts it in his customary polite fashion. Of course, one must suppose that “Hrunting” has been already handed back to its owner, and is now finally presented.

[1] This is the simplest way to render a disputed passage; but it may not be the right way. The “hardy-one” here is Beowulf; he returns “Hrunting” in a formal speech, and praises its merits, laying no stress (properly, for enchantment was at work) on its failure to “bite” in the battle with Grendel’s mother. So the Geat’s courtesy is put in strong relief, and the parting from Unferth is contrasted with the meeting. Probably there were favorite songs once about Beowulf’s flyting with Unferth, and our amiable Christian poet, who has doubtless softened many of its asperities, now lays stress on the reconciliation. Klaeber, however, has shown that the philological ways of this interpretation are not smooth. Moreover, the present to a parting guest was inexorable custom in Germania; and Unferth is only doing his duty when (the passage can so be read) he, “the hardy-one,” the son of Ecglaf, orders “Hrunting” to be brought to Beowulf, who accepts it in his customary polite fashion. Of course, one must suppose that “Hrunting” has been already handed back to its owner, and is now finally presented.

[1]