We've had very little accentual verse on this board, and for some time I've wanted post some of our Beowulf. So here's the opening, translated by Alan Sullivan:
So! The Spear Danes in days of old
were led by a lord famed for his forays.
We heard of that prince’s power and prowess.
Often Scyld Scefing ambushed enemies,
took their mead-benches, mastered their troops,
though first he was found forlorn and alone.
His early sorrows were swiftly consoled:
he grew under heaven, grew to a greatness
renowned among men of neighboring lands,
his rule recognized over the whale-road,
Danegeld granted him. That was a good king!
~
Afterward God gave him an heir,
a lad in the hall to lighten all hearts.
The Lord had seen how long and sorely
Denmark had languished for lack of a leader.
Beow was blessed with boldness and honor;
throughout the North his name became known.
A soldierly son should strive in his youth
to do great deeds, give generous gifts
and defend his father. Then in old age,
when strife besets him, his comrades will stand
and his folk follow. Through fair dealing
a prince shall prosper in any kingdom.
~
Still hale on the day ordained for his journey,
Scyld went to dwell with the World’s Warder.
His liegemen bore his bier to the beach:
so he had willed while wielding his words
as lord of the land, beloved by all.
With frost on its fittings, a lordly longboat
rode in the harbor, ring-bowed and ready.
They propped their prince, the gold-giver,
in the hollow hull heaped with treasures,
the famous man at the foot of the mast.
No ship ever sailed more splendidly stocked
with war-weapons, arms and armor.
About his breast the booty was strewn,
keepsakes soon to be claimed by the sea.
So he was sent as a child chosen
to drift on the deep. Now the Danes granted
treasures no less than those they had taken,
and last they hoisted high overhead
a golden banner as they gave the great one
back to the Baltic with heavy hearts
and mournful minds. No man can say,
though clever in council or strong under sky,
who might have landed that shipload of loot.
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