15 He laid down his life in the lair he had fled to,
His heathenish spirit, where hell did receive him.
Thence the friends from of old backward turned them,
And many a younker from merry adventure,
Striding their stallions, stout from the seaward,
20 Heroes on horses. There were heard very often

{Beowulf is the hero of the hour.}

Beowulf's praises; many often asserted
That neither south nor north, in the circuit of waters,

{He is regarded as a probable successor to Hrothgar.}

O'er outstretching earth-plain, none other was better
'Mid bearers of war-shields, more worthy to govern,
25 'Neath the arch of the ether. Not any, however,
'Gainst the friend-lord muttered, mocking-words uttered

{But no word is uttered to derogate from the old king}

Of Hrothgar the gracious (a good king he).
Oft the famed ones permitted their fallow-skinned horses
[31] To run in rivalry, racing and chasing,
30 Where the fieldways appeared to them fair and inviting,
Known for their excellence; oft a thane of the folk-lord,[2]

{The gleeman sings the deeds of heroes.}

[3]A man of celebrity, mindful of rhythms,