Beowulf Read Free Page A

not daunt him. He did not even blame the bees. Beowulf was the rare kind of person who makes strength of his own weaknesses. His eyes being poor, he determined to see not just as well as other people, but better than most. He did this by cultivating habits of quickness and concentration that enabled him to be truly
seeing
where others were only looking. And this matter of the eyes was typical of his whole manner of being. Beowulf had made the best of all he had, putting each imperfection to work in the service of his integrity. Thus, his real strength lay in the balance of his person—which is, perhaps, another way of saying that he was strong because he was good, and good because he had the strength to accept things in him that were bad.
    When Beowulf had heard all the stories about the dreadful deeds of the demon Grendel, he determined to go and help Hrothgar, if he could. His ship was made ready, a fine seaworthy craft with a great curved prow. He chose fourteen men to go with him. They were brave indomitable fellows, well tested in battle and willing to follow their hero wherever he went. However, it was not merely for their skill as warriors that Beowulf picked them. He had heard enough about Grendel toknow that the monster could not be killed by strength alone.
    Wind filled the sails, and the ship sped forward. The second day, they came in sight of the land of the Danes. As they were disembarking, a man came galloping along the beach toward them. He carried a long spear, and his horse kicked up a stinging shower of shingle as he drew rein.
    “Halt!” he cried, his voice like thunder. “Who are you who dare to land so brazenly on Hrothgar’s coast? What do you want and why do you come bearing so many weapons? If you are pirates, then be warned by me. I have only to set this horn to my lips and sound the warning note, and you will be met by such an army that not one of you shall ever see home again!”
    Beowulf nodded, tossing shells into the sea. Some of his men had reached for their swords, but with an easy flick of his wrist he motioned to them to stop.
    “We are no pirates,” he said. “Who are you?”
    The horseman drew himself up proudly. “I am Hrothgar’s coastguard,” he shouted. “No one bent on mischief gets past me.”
    Beowulf did not shout, but his voicesounded clear and distinct over the noisy waves and the crying of sea birds. “I am Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow,” he said. “I am come to do what I can against the demon Grendel.”
    A shiver went down the coastguard’s weatherbeaten cheek. It was plain that though he was a brave man, he did not like to hear about Grendel.
    Beowulf went on calmly: “If you love your country—as I’m sure you do—then you’ll help, not hinder us. Show us the way to the great hall Heorot.”
    The coastguard was impressed by the quiet strength of this stranger’s speaking. He thought a moment, then he said, “I will escort you to Hrothgar himself. He can decide the seriousness of your errand. I’m just a common warrior set to guard the shores, and I can’t see how your little band can stand against a fiend like Grendel.” He leaned forward confidentially in his saddle. “If you take my private advice,” he added, “you’ll pack back in your ship before you’re all killed. The man’s not born who can get the better of Grendel. The king is quite resigned to it. Fighting that monster, why, it’s like fighting the sea! You can’t win!”
    Beowulf’s men muttered angrily amongstthemselves. They found the coastguard’s words insulting.
    Beowulf did not seem insulted. He looked out over the rolling waves as though considering what the coastguard had said. “Thank you for your advice,” he said at last, “but I will not take it.”
    The coastguard shrugged. “Then you are either the bravest man in the world or a simple fool. Get your men in marching order, and I will lead you to Heorot. Don’t worry about your ship. Let it ride here at anchor, and