Poem 3

Poem 3

Heroic Beowulf and his band of men
crossed the wide strand, striding along
the sandy foreshore; the sun shone,
the world's candle warmed them from the south
as they hastened to where, as they had heard,
the young king, Ongentheow's killer
and his people's protector, was dispensing rings
inside his bawn. Beowulf's return
was reported to Hygelac as soon as possible,
news that the captian was now in the enclosure,
this battle-brother back from the fray
alive and well, walking to the hall.
Room was quickly made, on the king's orders,
and the troops filed across the cleared floor.

I've chosen this fragment because it decribes the impressive acomplishments of the hereo. People of those times receive Beowulf and his troops with extreme admiration for their victory. The fragment shows all the characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon poems. The epic poem repeats the name of the hereo with different words, underling Beowulf and the troops are very welcome in Hygelac's hall.