Hrothgar & Hryllingur, part X

Continuing Somhairle na Dagney's retelling of Beowulf.

If you're new to this serialization, here's the link to the introductory post, which now has the complete table of contents.  If you just want a reminder of the most recent stanzas, click here.

Gerhard Munthe, c. 1898. Illustration for Olav den helliges saga, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

“Weep for Heorot’s warriors, 

Flesh to feed the monster, my own

Body borne to his deep lair:

A day of darkest doom.

If this fate befalls, send my armour

God-forged, a generous gift,

Home to my lord, if any live.

The gods alone decide.”

Hrothgar gave reply.

“What is given, the gods return:

Your father, forced to flee

A feud, his kin and king fearing

war; a Wulfing killed,

Bloody his hands;

The sea sent him here. New-crowned

Was I, my brother dead. Treasure then

Could I gather, my realm rich

In shining silver.

I paid the blood-price, 

Ended the enmity. An oath

Sverdberi swore. Now you return,

Bjarndýr, bright warrior, brave son,

To save us, if the gods are kind, 

From Hyrillingur’s havoc.

Humiliation

He has brought my hall and household,

My war-band beaten, captured,

Killed, their blood spilled on bench and board,

Red stormclouds at sunrise.”

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