The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20

venturous band marched along the paved
road unfil they at length came before
the great hall. They were weary with
| their long march when they arrived and
so. stacking their spears and leaning their
shields against the walls, they threw
| themselves down to rest upon the great
benches which were in the porch of the
building to wait until some messenger
from Hrothgar should summon them to
| his presence
Now although no one dared to stay in
Heorot after nightfall, the old king per-
sisted in visiting the place every day while
the sun was high, and holding in that
place of terror a gloomy sort of court, and
sometimes a feast, solemn and sad. He
was in the hall when Beowulf and his
gallant band arrived, and soon messen-
ger came, saying that he was an officer
of the court and asking the questions
usually asked of strangers who visited the
kings housewife they were, whence they
came and what they desired. But, struck
with the bearing of the strangers, the Of
fcer added something of his own to the
usual formula. II am Hrothgar's herald"
have come to visit the king not like many,
because of broken fortunes, or desperate
straits of any Sort but rather bent on
some high undertaking, for never saw l
foreigners of loftier mien and Drawer
bearing"
Proudly the tall and stately youth, the
brave and courteous Eeowuf, replied.
saying: My name is Beowulf, cousin to
Hygelac, King of Gothland, and we be all
Hygelac's table fellows. earls and thames.
l myself will tell my errand to your lord
If he will deign to grant us an audience"
The herald, Wufgar by name, returned
to where the aged king sat, hoary and
bowed with grief amid his Respondent
companions and his detected warriors.
Wulfgar told Hrothgar of the arrival of
the Goths, described to him their gallant
and noble bearing and advised that they
be accorded a friendly reception.
"Such are the times" said Wulfgar,
that they can be no worse. 1t would
seem as If no foreigner can work more
havoc with us than is done already by
Grendel. 1t would seem as If every change
must be for the better, and every stran-
ger must bring relief" The old king
frightened at the mere thought of better
times. The arrival of the glttering stran-
gers was at least a straw to clutch at
amid the waters of adversely which were
overwhelming him. So he commanded
that the strangers be admitted, and into
the great hall marched Beowulf and his
IA noble companions IT knew this Beo-
| wulf when he was a page in his uncles
court" said Hrothgar to the thames who
sat by him. II have heard much of him
since, and know that he has grown into
| valiant youth, a champion Of might and
of pure heart. 1t Is said that he has the
strength of 80 men in his hand grip. Sure
ly it is by Gods grace that Beowulf has
come to us in our dire need"
| Beowulf stood slightly in advance of his
companions before the throne, his corse-
let of cunningly linked mail shining with
many reflected lights. and cried: ITO
Hrothgar King of the Danes, Hail! l am
Hygelac's cousin-thane. Many deed Of
| daring has been mine. The news of all
that you have suffered has come to our
ears in Gothland; seafaring men have told
us how this tall and stately structure,
|
empty at night. My people, the wisest
and bravest among them, urged me to
cross the sea to your assistance, 0 royal
Hrothgar. They know the strength or
my arm and valor of my heart. Many a
time have they seen me return from the
field of battle battered and with many
wounds-but never defeated. Five mon
/ sters of the land have slaughtered and
five water demons have / killed at night
single-handed And now I am thy cham
pion, great King. and single-handed will
I fight thy quarrel with Grendel. And my
petition to thee, King Hrothgar' is tnat
you will allow me and my Danes alone 10
purge Heorot.
81 have learned thst the mend Grendel
l out OF boastfilness despises the use OF
arraor and that weapons hays no ehect