at the swine on the helmet
ecgum dyhtig
with urgent edge
andweard scîreð.
smites importunate.
The first success of Beowulf having left an avenger alive, it becomes necessary for the hero, in pursuance of his pledged war against the monster brood, to dive all-armed to the bottom of an awful mere. In our fourth quotation he is seen arming himself and preparing to plunge into the abyss; the main pieces of his armour are described, and of his helmet it is said as follows:—
1449
1449
ac se hwîta helm
But the burnished helmet