Excerpt I

[the hall heorot is attacked by grendel]

Then was success in war granted to Hrothgar, glory in battle, so that the men of his house served him willingly, till the young warriors increased, a mighty troop of men.

It came into his mind that he would order men to build a hall, a house of feasting [greater] than the sons of men had ever heard of—and therewithin he would apportion all things to young and old, whatever God have given him, except public land and the lives of men.

Then I heard that orders for the work were given far and wide to many a nation throughout this earth to adorn the people's hall. In time—quickly among men—it befell that it was all ready—the greatest of houses. He who by his word had ruled far and wide devised for it the name of Heorot. He did not break his promise, butgave out rings and treasure at the banquet.

The hall towered high, lofty and wide-gabled—it awaited the hostile surges of malignant fire. Nor was the time yet near at hand that cruel hatred between son-in-law and father-in-law should arise, because of a deadly deed of violence.

Then the mighty spirit who dwelt in darkness bore grievously a time of hardship, in that he heard each day loud revelry in hall —there was the sound of the harp, the clear song of the minstrel.

He who could recount the first making of men from distant ages, spoke. He said that the Almighty made the earth, a fair and bright plain, which water encompasses, and, triumphing in power, appointed the radiance of the sun and moon as light for the land-dwellers, and decked the earth-regions with branches and leaves. He fashioned life for all the kinds that live and move.

So those brave men lived prosperously in joy, until one began to compass deeds of malice.

That grim spirit was called Grendel, the renowned traverser of the marches, who held the moors, the fen and fastness; unblessed creature, he dwelt for a while in the lair of monsters, after the Creator had condemned them. On Cain's kindred did the everlasting Lord avenge the murder, for that he had slain Abel; he had no joy of that feud, but the Creator drove him far from mankind for that misdeed. Thence all evil broods were born, ogres and elves and evil spirits—the giants also, who long time fought with God, for which he gave them their reward.

II. So, after night had come, Grendel went to the lofty house, to find how the Ring-Danes had disposed themselves in it after their ale-drinking. Then found he therewithin a band of noble warriors, sleeping after the banquet; they knew not sorrow, the sad lot of mortals.

Straightway the grim and greedy creature of damnation, fierce and furious, was ready, and seized thirty thanes in their resting place. Thence he went back again, exulting in plunder, journeying home, to seek out his abode with that fill of slaughter.

Then in the morning light, at break of day, Grendel's strength in war was manifest to men; then was a cry, a mighty noise at morn, upraised after the feasting. The famous prince, the prince well known of old, sat downcast. Strong in might he suffered, endured sorrow for his lieges, when they surveyed the traces of the foe, the accursed spirit; that strife was too strong, too hateful and long-lasting.

There was no longer respite, but after one night he again wrought greater deeds of murder, violence and outrage, and had no regret therefore—he was too deep in them. Then was the man easy to find who sought elsewhere more remote a resting place for himself, a bed among the outbuildings, when the hall-warden's hate had been declared to him, and truthfully made known by a clear token. He who escaped the fiend kept himself afterwards farther off and more secure.

In this way he was master, and strove, opposed to right, one against all; until the best of houses stood deserted.

It was a long while: twelve winters' space the Scyldings' lord endured distress—every kind of woe, deep sorrows. Therefore it was then without concealment made known to sons of men—sadly in song—that Grendel fought for a long time against Hrothgar—waged hate-begotten feuds, outrage, and enmity for many seasons—continual strife; he would not make peace with any man of the Danish host, nor cease from murder of the counselors there, nor make a lawful compensation; and none need look for a handsome reparation at the slayer's hands.

But the demon, the dark death-shadow, ever pursued young and old; laid in wait for and entrapped them. In the endless night he held the misty moors—men know not where such mysterious creatures of hell go in their wanderings.

So many outrages, severe afflictions, did the foe of man, the fearful solitary, achieve in quick succession. He held Heorot, the hall adorned with treasure, on the dark nights. He could not approach the throne, nor receive a gift because of the Lord; He did not take thought of him.

That was great heartbreaking sorrow to the guardian of the Scyldings. Many a mighty one sat oft in council, sought for a wise plan —what it were best for men of courage to contrive against the sudden terrors. Sometimes they vowed sacrifices at the tabernacles of idols—prayed aloud that the destroyer of souls would provide them help against the distress of the people. Such was their custom— the hope of the heathen—they remembered hellish things in the thoughts of their hearts. They knew not the Creator, Judge of deeds; they knew not the Lord God, nor, truly, had they learned to worship the Protector of the heavens, the glorious Ruler.

Woe shall it be to him who is destined in dire distressful wise to thrust his soul into the fire's embrace, to hope for no comfort, in no way to change.

Weal shall be his, who may after his death-day stand before the Lord, and seek peace in the Father's arms!

Дата добавления: 2015-08-13