By swing of the sword he received as a greeting,
Offspring of Higelac; Ongentheow’s bairn
Later departed to visit his homestead,
When Heardred was dead; let Beowulf rule them,
Govern the Geatmen: good was that folk-king.
[1] ‘Hám’ (2326), the suggestion of B. is accepted by t.B. and other scholars.
[2] For ‘láðan cynnes’ (2355), t.B. suggests ‘láðan cynne,’ apposition to ‘mægum.’ From syntactical and other considerations, this is a most excellent emendation.
[3] Gr. read ‘on feorme’ (2386), rendering: He there at the banquet a fatal wound received by blows of the sword.