Kinsman and folk-thane; fair deeds have I many

Begun in my youth-tide, and this matter of Grendel

On the turf of mine own land undarkly I knew.

'Tis the seafarers' say that standeth this hall,

The best house forsooth, for each one of warriors

All idle and useless, after the even-light

Under the heaven-loft hidden becometh.

Then lightly they learn'd me, my people, this lore,

E'en the best that there be of the wise of the churls,

O Hrothgar the kingly, that thee should I seek to,