Chapter 6: V

STONE-BRIGHT the street: {5a} it showed the wayto the crowd of clansmen. Corselets glistenedhand-forged, hard; on their harness brightthe steel ring sang, as they strode alongin mail of battle, and marched to the hall.There, weary of ocean, the wall alongthey set their bucklers, their broad shields, down,and bowed them to bench: the breastplates clanged,war-gear of men; their weapons stacked,spears of the seafarers stood together,gray-tipped ash: that iron bandwas worthily weaponed! -- A warrior proudasked of the heroes their home and kin."Whence, now, bear ye burnished shields,harness gray and helmets grim,spears in multitude? Messenger, I,Hrothgar's herald! Heroes so manyne'er met I as strangers of mood so strong.'Tis plain that for prowess, not plunged into exile,for high-hearted valor, Hrothgar ye seek!"Him the sturdy-in-war bespake with words,proud earl of the Weders answer made,hardy 'neath helmet: -- "Hygelac's, we,fellows at board; I am Beowulf named.I am seeking to say to the son of Healfdenethis mission of mine, to thy master-lord,the doughty prince, if he deign at allgrace that we greet him, the good one, now."Wulfgar spake, the Wendles' chieftain,whose might of mind to many was known,his courage and counsel: "The king of Danes,the Scyldings' friend, I fain will tell,the Breaker-of-Rings, as the boon thou askest,the famed prince, of thy faring hither,and, swiftly after, such answer bringas the doughty monarch may deign to give."Hied then in haste to where Hrothgar satwhite-haired and old, his earls about him,till the stout thane stood at the shoulder thereof the Danish king: good courtier he!Wulfgar spake to his winsome lord: --"Hither have fared to thee far-come meno'er the paths of ocean, people of Geatland;and the stateliest there by his sturdy bandis Beowulf named. This boon they seek,that they, my master, may with theehave speech at will: nor spurn their prayerto give them hearing, gracious Hrothgar!In weeds of the warrior worthy they,methinks, of our liking; their leader most surely,a hero that hither his henchmen has led."