CARLE.--Man, hero. EARL.--Nobleman, any brave man. EKE.--Also. EMPRISE.--Enterprise, undertaking. ERST.--Formerly. ERST-WORTHY.--Worthy for a long time past. FAIN.--Glad. FERRY.--Bear, carry. FEY.--Fated, doomed. FLOAT.--Vessel, ship. FOIN.--To lunge (Shaks.). GLORY OF KINGS.--God. GREWSOME.--Cruel, fierce. HEFT.--Handle, hilt; used by synecdoche for 'sword.' HELM.--Helmet, protector. HENCHMAN.--Retainer, vassal. HIGHT.--Am (was) named. HOLM.--Ocean, curved surface of the sea. HIMSEEMED.--(It) seemed to him. LIEF.--Dear, valued. MERE.--Sea; in compounds, 'mere-ways,' 'mere-currents,' etc. MICKLE.--Much. NATHLESS.--Nevertheless. NAZE.--Edge (nose). NESS.--Edge. NICKER.--Sea-beast. QUIT, QUITE.--Requite. RATHE.--Quickly. REAVE.--Bereave, deprive. SAIL-ROAD.--Sea. SETTLE.--Seat, bench. SKINKER.--One who pours. SOOTHLY.--Truly. SWINGE.--Stroke, blow. TARGE, TARGET.--Shield. THROUGHLY.--Thoroughly. TOLD.--Counted. UNCANNY.--Ill-featured, grizzly. UNNETHE.--Difficult. WAR-SPEED.--Success in war. WEB.--Tapestry (that which is 'woven'). WEEDED.--Clad (cf. widow's weeds). WEEN.--Suppose, imagine. WEIRD.--Fate, Providence. WHILOM.--At times, formerly, often. WIELDER.--Ruler. Often used of God; also in compounds, as 'Wielder of Glory,' 'Wielder of Worship.' WIGHT.--Creature. WOLD.--Plane, extended surface. WOT.--Knows. YOUNKER.--Youth. [1] BEOWULF. I. THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SCYLD. {The famous race of Spear-Danes.} Lo! the Spear-Danes' glory through splendid achievements The folk-kings' former fame we have heard of, How princes displayed then their prowess-in-battle. {Scyld, their mighty king, in honor of whom they are often called Scyldings. He is the great-grandfather of Hrothgar, so prominent in the poem.} Oft Scyld the Scefing from scathers in numbers 5 From many a people their mead-benches tore. Since first he found him friendless and wretched, The earl had had terror: comfort he got for it, Waxed 'neath the welkin, world-honor gained, Till all his neighbors o'er sea were compelled to 10 Bow to his bidding and bring him their tribute: An excellent atheling! After was borne him {A son is born to him, who receives the name of Beowulf--a name afterwards made so famous by the hero of the poem.} A son and heir, young in his dwelling, Whom God-Father sent to solace the people. He had marked the misery malice had caused them, 15 [1]That reaved of their rulers they wretched had erstwhile[2] Long been afflicted. The Lord, in requital, Wielder of Glory, with world-honor blessed him. Famed was Beowulf, far spread the glory Of Scyld's great son in the lands of the Danemen. [2] {The ideal Teutonic king lavishes gifts on his vassals.}