Hrothgar & Hryllingur, Part VIII

Welcome to a retelling of Beowulf through the skill of Somhairle na Dagney, Scáeli of Linrathe. (For a fuller explanation, see Part I.)

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

Part VI

Part VII

The Vikings' Hoard (detail) (1886) by B. A. Wikström. Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

“…Bid him come!

Hope against Hyrillingur he

Offers; gifts I will give, treasure

To the hero whose heart and hand

Defeats the dreaded fiend.”

Wulfgar brought Bjarndýr

Hrothgar’s welcome to Heorot:

‘Hail the hero known! Wear your helms

And bright armour into my hall

But not your shields and spears;

Speech first I would hear.’

Bjarndýr, lordly, rose: his liegemen

Close beside, save those left to guard

The war-gear. To Heorot’s king

In gleaming mail he strode.

“Hail Hrothgar, great king!

Sverdberi's son Bjarndýr greets you.

Scáeli’en sing my victories.

Songs too I heard of Hryllingur,

Hated of Heorot.

Scourge of this fair hall,

A feared foe, forcing men to flee

When sun’s light fails. Resolved then I

To offer all I have: my strength

Against this enemy.”

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More next Thursday!

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