Fitt XXXI — Gift-giving is Mutual

Beowulf lays before Hygelac the full gift-haul from Heorot: the armor, the horses, the treasures, all the ornaments Hrothgar bestowed. He holds nothing back. The great neck-ring that Wealhtheow gave him — the most magnificent single object — he presents to Hygd, Hygelac's queen, along with three saddle-bright horses. The poet links the neck-ring to the legendary Brosinga necklace, placing it in a lineage of famous objects.

Hygelac's response is recorded as the correct one: he gives more than he received. He brings out the heirloom sword of Hrethel — the finest weapon in the Geat treasury, owned by Beowulf's grandfather — and presents it to Beowulf along with seven thousand hides, a hall, and lordship over land. The reciprocal giving is described as the proper functioning of the bond between lord and thane.

The poet looks ahead briefly and without sentiment: after Hygelac's death and then the death of Heardred under Swedish attack, it fell to Beowulf to rule the Geats. The summary of what is coming is compressed and final-sounding. The poem has established the structure it will complete in the third movement.