Beowulf

XXVIII

Note: [1] Beowulf gives his uncle the king not mere gossip of his

journey, but a statesmanlike forecast of the outcome of certain

policies at the Danish court. Talk of interpolation here is

absurd. As both Beowulf and Hygelac know, -- and the folk for

whom the Beowulf was put together also knew, -- Froda was king of

the Heathobards (probably the Langobards, once near neighbors of

Angle and Saxon tribes on the continent), and had fallen

in fight with the Danes. Hrothgar will set aside this feud by

giving his daughter as "peace-weaver" and wife to the young king

Ingeld, son of the slain Froda. But Beowulf, on general

principles and from his observation of the particular case,

foretells trouble. Note: [2] Play of shields, battle. A Danish

warrior cuts down Froda in the fight, and