STONE-BRIGHT the street: it showed the way 
to the crowd of clansmen. Corselets glistened 
hand-forged, hard; on their harness bright 
the steel ring sang, as they strode along 
in mail of battle, and marched to the hall. 
There, weary of ocean, the wall along 
they set their bucklers, their broad shields, down, 
and bowed them to bench: the breastplates clanged, 
war-gear of men; their weapons stacked, 
spears of the seafarers stood together, 
gray-tipped ash: that iron band 
was worthily weaponed! -- A warrior proud 
asked of the heroes their home and kin. 
"Whence, now, bear ye burnished shields, 
harness gray and helmets grim, 
spears in multitude? Messenger, I, 
Hrothgar's herald! Heroes so many 
ne'er met I as strangers of mood so strong. 
'Tis plain that for prowess, not plunged into exile, 
for high-hearted valor, Hrothgar ye seek!" 
Him the sturdy-in-war bespake with words, 
proud earl of the Weders answer made, 
hardy 'neath helmet: -- "Hygelac's, we, 
fellows at board; I am Beowulf named. 
I am seeking to say to the son of Healfdene 
this mission of mine, to thy master-lord, 
the doughty prince, if he deign at all 
grace that we greet him, the good one, now." 
Wulfgar spake, the Wendles' chieftain, 
whose might of mind to many was known, 
his courage and counsel: "The king of Danes, 
the Scyldings' friend, I fain will tell, 
the Breaker-of-Rings, as the boon thou askest, 
the famed prince, of thy faring hither, 
and, swiftly after, such answer bring 
as the doughty monarch may deign to give." 
Hied then in haste to where Hrothgar sat 
white-haired and old, his earls about him, 
till the stout thane stood at the shoulder there 
of the Danish king: good courtier he! 
Wulfgar spake to his winsome lord: -- 
"Hither have fared to thee far-come men 
o'er the paths of ocean, people of Geatland; 
and the stateliest there by his sturdy band 
is Beowulf named. This boon they seek, 
that they, my master, may with thee 
have speech at will: nor spurn their prayer 
to give them hearing, gracious Hrothgar! 
In weeds of the warrior worthy they, 
methinks, of our liking; their leader most surely, 
a hero that hither his henchmen has led."