Of thee the lief man. A long while did I pray thee

That thou the death-guest there should greet not a whit;

Wouldst let those same South-Danes their own selves to settle

The war-tide with Grendel. Now to God say I thank

That thee, and thee sound, now may I see.

Out then spake Beowulf, Ecgtheow's bairn:

All undark it is, O Hygelac lord,

That meeting the mighty, to a many of men;

Of what like was the meeting of Grendel and me

On that field of the deed, where he many a deal