VI + 

Beowulf Introduces Himself at the Palace + 

The highway glistened with many-hued pebble, + 

A by-path led the liegemen together. + 

Firm and hand-locked the war-burnie glistened, + 

The ring-sword radiant rang ’mid the armor + 

As the party was approaching the palace together + 

In warlike equipments. ’Gainst the wall of the building + 

Their wide-fashioned war-shields they weary did set then, + 

Battle-shields sturdy; benchward they turned then; + 

Their battle-sarks rattled, the gear of the heroes; + 

The lances stood up then, all in a cluster, + 

The arms of the seamen, ashen-shafts mounted + 

With edges of iron: the armor-clad troopers + 

Were decked with weapons. Then a proud-mooded hero + 

Asked of the champions questions of lineage: + 

“From what borders bear ye your battle-shields plated, + 

Gilded and gleaming, your gray-colored burnies, + 

Helmets with visors and heap of war-lances?⁠— + 

To Hrothgar the king I am servant and liegeman. + 

’Mong folk from far-lands found I have never + 

Men so many of mien more courageous. + 

I ween that from valor, nowise as outlaws, + 

But from greatness of soul ye sought for King Hrothgar.” + 

Then the strength-famous earlman answer rendered, + 

The proud-mooded Wederchief replied to his question, + 

Hardy ’neath helmet: “Higelac’s mates are we; + 

Beowulf hight I. To the bairn of Healfdene, + 

The famous folk-leader, I freely will tell + 

To thy prince my commission, if pleasantly hearing + 

He’ll grant we may greet him so gracious to all men.” + 

Wulfgar replied then (he was prince of the Wendels, + 

His boldness of spirit was known unto many, + 

His prowess and prudence): “The prince of the Scyldings, + 

The friend-lord of Danemen, I will ask of thy journey, + 

The giver of rings, as thou urgest me do it, + 

The folk-chief famous, and inform thee early + 

What answer the good one mindeth to render me.” + 

He turned then hurriedly where Hrothgar was sitting, + 

Old and hoary, his earlmen attending him; + 

The strength-famous went till he stood at the shoulder + 

Of the lord of the Danemen, of courteous thanemen + 

The custom he minded. Wulfgar addressed then + 

His friendly liegelord: “Folk of the Geatmen + 

O’er the way of the waters are wafted hither, + 

Faring from far-lands: the foremost in rank + 

The battle-champions Beowulf title. + 

They make this petition: with thee, O my chieftain, + 

To be granted a conference; O gracious King Hrothgar, + 

Friendly answer refuse not to give them! + 

In war-trappings weeded worthy they seem + 

Of earls to be honored; sure the atheling is doughty + 

Who headed the heroes hitherward coming.” + 