Fitt XIX — Beowulf Receives Further Honor

A cup is brought to Beowulf and an invitation to drink is graciously given, and twisted gold is presented with pleasure — a pair of arm-jewels, rings, and a mail-shirt, the greatest of neck-rings heard of under heaven. The poet follows the great Brosing necklace in a brief digression — Hama carried it off from Eormenric's city; Hygelac last held it when he marched beneath his banner; fate carried him off when he endured calamity among the Frisians; the corpse of the king came into the possession of the Franks. The object's history is the poem's argument in miniature: gold passes from hand to hand, owner to owner, death to death, and the giving does not protect the giver from the receiving of the same fate eventually.

Wealhtheow addresses the company directly. Enjoy this collar in safety, worthy Beowulf, make good use of this armor, prosper well, show yourself strong, be to these warriors gentle with your counsel. She will not forget his reward. He has brought it about that far and near, forever and ever, men shall honor him as widely as the ocean surrounds the windy headlands. Be, as long as you live, a prosperous prince. Be kind to my son, living in joy. The speech is a mother's request dressed in a queen's formality — she is asking the strongest man in the hall to use that strength for protection rather than competition when she is no longer able to ask.

When evening has come and Hrothgar has gone off to his quarters, warriors beyond counting guard the building as often before. They clear the ale-benches; the floor is covered with beds and pillows. Among them, doomed to his death, one of the beer-thanes bows down to sleep. They set their battle-shields at the heads of their beds, their bright-gleaming bucklers, their helmets, their ring-mail coats, their mighty war-spears visible above each noble on his bench. The custom of that people is always to be ready for battle. One among them will be gone before morning. The poem knows it; the warrior does not.