Translated by Seamus Heaney
So. The Spear-Danes in days gone by
And the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness.
We have heard of those princes’ heroic campaigns.
There was a Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes,
a wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among the foes.
This terror of the hall-troops had come far.
A foundling to start with, he would flourish later on
as his powers waxed and his worth was proved.
In the end each clan on the outlying coasts
beyond the whale-road had to yield to him
and begin to pay tribute. That was one good king.
Afterwards a boy-child was born to Shield,
a cub in the yard, a comfort sent
by God to that nation. He knew what they had tholed,
the long times and troubles they’d come through
without a leader; so the Lord of Life,
the glorious Almighty, made this man renowned.
Shield had fathered a famous son:
Beow’s name was known through the north.
And a young prince must be prudent like that,
giving freely while his father lives
so that afterward in age when fighting starts
steadfast companions will stand by him
and hold the line. Behaviour that’s admired
is the path to power among the people everywhere.
Translated by Ruth P.M. Lehmann
Now we have heard stories of high valor
in times long past of tribal monarchs,
lords of Denmark, how those leaders strove.
Often Scyld Scefing by the shock of war
kept both troops and tribes from treasured meadbench
filled foes with dread after first being
discovered uncared for; a cure for that followed:
he grew hale under heaven, high in honor,
until no nation near the borders,
beyond teeming seas but was taught to obey,
giving tribute. He was a good ruler.
To him a boy was born, a baby in the homestead,
Whom God grants us as gift and comfort
to ease the people. He apprehended
dire trouble dogged those destitute people.
But the Lord of life, Leader of heaven,
offered them honor, earthly requital.
Beow was famous- abroad well renowned-
throughout south Sweden, the successor to Scyld.
Thus should a fine young man on his father’s throne
give generously, and do good to all
so that when aging, old companions
stand by him steady at the stroke of war,
his people serve him. By praiseworthy deeds
each must prosper in every tribe.