We have heard tell3f1b of the high doings2c1b of Danish kings3b1a in days gone by,2b1a how the great war‐chiefs2c1b gained their renown,2b2‐ how Scyld Scefing2c1a shattered his foes,2e1a mastered the meadhalls1a*1a(i) 10of many peoples,+2a1a(i) conquered their kings.2e1a He came to Denmark+1a1a(i) as a lone foundling,2c1b but later he thrived;3b*1a his name was renowned2b2a beneath the skies2b1a and kings and kingdoms+1a1a(i) across the whale‐road,+1a1a(i) the surging sea,3b1a 20swore him allegiance,1a*1a(i) paid him tribute.2a1a(i) He was a peerless king!3b1c Later the Lord2e1a of life gave him2c1a a son who would someday+1a1b(i) succeed him in Denmark,+1a*1a(i) a pledge to its people:+1a1b(i) their plight had moved him,+1a1a(i) their time of trial+1a1a(i) 30and terrible grief+3e1 lacking a leader.1a*1a(i) The Lord bestowed2b1a success and honor+1a1a(i) on this son of Scyld,2b1b and Beowulf the Dane+3e*1 could boast a name2b1a known everywhere1d1 in Scandinavia.d1c In just such a manner,+1a1b(i) 40with generous gifts+3e1 from his father’s hoard,3b1b a future king3b1a insures that one day+1a1a(i) unshrinking friends3b1a will stand by his side2b2a if strife should come,2b1a will support their prince:2b1b it is praiseworthy deeds3b2b that win warriors’+1d1 50willing allegiance.1a*1a(i) At his foreshaped hour3f1c Scyld departed,1a1a(i) grey‐haired, vigorous,2a1a(ii) into God’s keeping.2c1b Care‐stricken comrades2a1a(iii) carried his body1a*1a(i) to the edge of the sea,2b2b honoring the wish3e*1 he had made when still2b1b 60master of his speech,2e1b he who had so long1a1b(i) held the kingdom.1a1a(i) His ring‐beaked ship3b1a was ready to sail,3b*1a ice‐clad, impatient,1a*1a(i) eager for the voyage.1a*1b They laid their beloved+1a1b(i) lord in its hold,2b2‐ rested their ring‐giver1a*2a(ii) 70in its roomy hull3b1b near the heel of the mast.2b2b They heaped beside him+1a1a(i) fabulous wealth3e1 from far‐off lands;3b1a I have never heard3b1b of such magnificent things,3b2c mailcoats and swords2e1a and mask‐helmetsd1a and bright war‐shields;2c1a 80on his breast lay many++1a1a(i) dazzling jewels2a1a(i) destined to travel1a*1a(i) to the far reaches2c1b of the flood’s domain.2b1b His men equipped him+1a1a(i) with much more treasure+2a1a(i) than the warriorsd1b who had once sent him2c1b wandering the wastes3e*1 90of the wide ocean,2c1b alone and friendless,+1a1a(i) a little child.3b1a Finally the Danes3e*1 affixed a golden+1a1a(i) standard above him,1a*1a(i) let the stream have him,2c1b the sea‐surge take him.+2a1a(i) Their souls were troubled,+1a1a(i) numb with mourning.1a1a(i) 100No man on earth,2e1a not even the wisest,+1a*1a(i) can ever know3b1a or say for certain+1a1a(i) who received that cargo.++1a1a(i)