Fitt X — Beowulf Silences Unferth — Glee is High

Beowulf's counter begins with formal dismissal — Unferth has spoken freely and wildly, fuddled with beer — and then gives the full account. He and Breca were striplings when they made the boast, young men who agreed to test themselves in the sea. What actually happened in those waters was not a race: ill-meaning enemies caused the sorest sorrow, and Beowulf killed them with his sword while they dragged him to the sea-floor. He served them in return — as was fitting. They missed out on the pleasure of feasting on him; instead he killed nine sea-monsters with his weapon, and their bodies lay stretched on the strand come morning.

Fate often saves an undoomed hero if his valor is stout — and Beowulf's is. Light came from the east, God's beautiful beacon, and the waters subsided. He reached the land of the Finns. He then turns on Unferth directly: he has never heard of such daring deeds done by Unferth, or of any sword-terror Unferth has inspired. Then the killing blow: though with cold-blooded cruelty you killed your brothers, your nearest kin, and for that you must suffer dire damnation in hell, however sharp your wits may be. Unferth's fratricide is named and judged in a single sentence. The formal charge is graver than any swimming defeat.

The argument closes with a prediction rather than a boast. Grendel would never have done such countless horrors to Hrothgar if Unferth's heart were as sturdy as Unferth describes. But the terrible enemy has discovered that the fierce-burning hatred and the battle-edge of all the Victory-Scyldings need dismay him little. He takes his toll, kills and feasts, expecting no resistance — from Danes. Now there will be resistance. The hall's response is immediate: the mead-cup circulates, the glee is high. Wealhtheow, queen of the Scyldings, enters under her golden crown and presents Beowulf his cup. The challenge has been answered, the hall has approved, and the night is coming.