THE MOTHER OF GRENDEL.They sank then to slumber. With sorrow one paid for His evening repose, as often betid them While Grendel was holding1 the gold-bedecked palace, Ill-deeds performing, till his end overtook him, 5 Death for his sins. ’Twas seen very clearly, Grendel’s mother is known to be thirsting for revenge. Known unto earth-folk, that still an avenger Outlived the loathed one, long since the sorrow Caused by the struggle; the mother of Grendel, Devil-shaped woman, her woe ever minded, 10 Who was held to inhabit the horrible waters, [Grendel’s progenitor, Cain, is again referred to.] The cold-flowing currents, after Cain had become a Slayer-with-edges to his one only brother, The son of his sire; he set out then banished, Marked as a murderer, man-joys avoiding, 1

