Beowulf. The Beowulf Poet

      Prelude of The Founder of The Danish House

      LO, praise of the prowess of people-kings

       of spear-armed Danes, in days long sped,

       we have heard, and what honor the athelings won!

       Oft Scyld the Scefing from squadroned foes,

       from many a tribe, the mead-bench tore,

       awing the earls. Since erst he lay

       friendless, a foundling, fate repaid him:

       for he waxed under welkin, in wealth he throve,

       till before him the folk, both far and near,

       who house by the whale-path, heard his mandate,

       gave him gifts: a good king he!

       To him an heir was afterward born,

       a son in his halls, whom heaven sent