Fiction > Harvard Classics > Beowulf The Harvard
Classics.  1909–14. AND the lord of earls, to each that came
with Beowulf over the briny ways, an heirloom there at the ale-
bench gave, precious gift; and the price 1 bade pay in gold for
him whom Grendel erst        5 murdered,—and fain of them more
had killed, had not wisest God their Wyrd averted, and the
man’s 2 brave mood. The Maker then ruled human kind, as here and
now. Therefore is insight always best,        10 and forethought
of mind. How much awaits him of lief and of loath, who long time
here, through days of warfare this world endures! Then song and
music mingled sounds in the presence of Healfdene’s head-of-
armies 3        15 and harping was heard with the hero-lay as
Hrothgar’s singer the hall-joy woke along the mead-seats, making
his song of that sudden raid on the sons of Finn. 4
  Healfdene’s hero, Hnæf the Scylding,        20 was fated to
fall in the Frisian slaughter. 5 Hildeburh needed not hold in
value her enemies’ honor! 6 Innocent both w