Wend otherwhere woe, for o'er strong was the strife

All loathly so longsome late laid on the people,

Need-wrack and grim [nithing], of night-bales the greatest.

Now that from his home heard the Hygelac's thane,

Good midst of the Geat-folk; of Grendel's deeds heard he.

But he was of mankind of might and main mightiest

In the day that we tell of, the day of this life,

All noble, strong-waxen. He bade a wave-wearer

Right good to be gear'd him, and quoth he that the war-king

Over 200 the swan-road he would be seeking,