Dragons -- Poetry; Epic poetry, English (Old); Monsters -- Poetry
To the boat-ward a gold-bound brand he presented,
That he was afterwards honored on the ale-bench more highly
As the heirloom's owner. [2]Set he out on his vessel,
15 To drive on the deep, Dane-country left he.
Along by the mast then a sea-garment fluttered,
A rope-fastened sail. The sea-boat resounded,
The wind o'er the waters the wave-floater nowise
Kept from its journey; the sea-goer traveled,
20 The foamy-necked floated forth o'er the currents,
The well-fashioned vessel o'er the ways of the ocean,
{The Geats see their own land again.}
Till they came within sight of the cliffs of the Geatmen,
The well-known headlands. The wave-goer hastened
Driven by breezes, stood on the shore.
{The port-warden is anxiously looking for them.}
25 Prompt at the ocean, the port-ward was ready,
Who long in the past outlooked in the distance,[3]
At water's-edge waiting well-lovèd heroes;
He bound to the bank then the broad-bosomed vessel
Fast in its fetters, lest the force of the waters
30 Should be able to injure the ocean-wood winsome.
Bade he up then take the treasure of princes,
Plate-gold and fretwork; not far was it thence
To go off in search of the giver of jewels:
[66] Hrethel's son Higelac at home there remaineth,[4]
35 Himself with his comrades close to the sea-coast.
The building was splendid, the king heroic,
Great in his hall, Hygd very young was,
{Hygd, the noble queen of Higelac, lavish of gifts.}
Fine-mooded, clever, though few were the winters
That the daughter of Hæreth had dwelt in the borough;
40 But she nowise was cringing nor niggard of presents,
Of ornaments rare, to the race of the Geatmen.
{Offa's consort, Thrytho, is contrasted with Hygd.}
Thrytho nursed anger, excellent[5] folk-queen,
Hot-burning hatred: no hero whatever
'Mong household companions, her husband excepted
{She is a terror to all save her husband.}
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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