ABSTRACT

In this fragment we find the sentiment that ‘He who trusteth himself to the Holy, to God for aid, he there readily findeth it.’ But such passages, like the few Christian passages in Beowulf, are probably interpolated by the later copyist of the old song of valour shown in greed and rapine. For the poetry is clearly that of men among whom right was to the strong, and whose religion was faith in an iron destiny. ‘What is to be goes ever as it must,’ is the last thought of Beowulf’s speech, when offering to risk his life for pay in Hrothgar’s service; and again he says, ‘the Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave.’ The brave deeds are done from no high spiritual motive, but for gold and gifts. It was the suggestive praise always offered to a prince that he was liberal in giving. For all that he did, Beowulf was promised substantial payment, and was substantially paid. Before his adventure at the mere he took thought for his gold, saying, ‘Send, dear Hrothgar, to Hygelac the gold thou hast given me, that the Goth’s lord may know I found a good bestower of rings.’ And what was done, was not done modestly. The coarse insolence of Beowulf’s self-assertion against the Gar Danes who are feasting him and against Hunferth, whom he also reminds over the ale-cup that he is the murderer of his own brothers, is received as a common part of heroism by all who are concerned. Hrothgar was glad, for he ‘trusted in help when he heard Beowulf;’ and of Hrothgar’s queen, Wealhtheow, we are told that ‘the woman liked the Goth’s proud speeches.’ No chief retained more than he could hold by his own sword: and the poet who sang the valour of his chief, if he would know good days, must not stint of his celebration; or, as befel the lamenting Deor, another came whose song pleased better, and the chief plundered back what he had given to one poet that he might enrich the favourite who had supplanted him.