Then Hrothgar departed, his earl-throng attending him, Hrothgar retires. Folk-lord of Scyldings, forth from the building; The war-chieftain wished then Wealhtheow to look for, The queen for a bedmate. To keep away Grendel 5 The Glory of Kings had given a hall-watch, God has provided a watch for the hall. As men heard recounted: for the king of the Danemen He did special service, gave the giant a watcher: And the prince of the Geatmen implicitly trusted His warlike strength and the Wielder’s protection. Beowulf is selfconfident; he prepares for rest. 10 His armor of iron off him he did then, His helmet from his head, to his henchman committed His chased-handled chain-sword, choicest of weapons, And bade him bide with his battle-equipments. The good one then uttered words of defiance, 15 Beowulf Geatman, ere his bed he upmounted: “I hold me no meaner in matters of prowess, In warlike achievements, than Grendel does himself; Beowulf boasts of his ability to cope with Grendel. Hence I seek not with sword-edge to sooth him to slumber, Of life to bereave him, though well I am able.
Then Hrothgar left with his friend, the lord of Scyldings, from the building. With the War-Chieftan wishing them good fortune in their journey. The Kings had created a watcher, as the people had recalled, the king of the Danemen did a special service and gave the watcher his trust because of his warlike strength. The Watchers armor was then taken off, he gave his helmet to his henchman and his chain sword and thanked him for holding his items, then someone said words of Defiance Beowulf Geatman stood from his bed and said”I am no meaner in prowess, or in war time achievements than Grendel. So I seek to not defeat Grendel with a sword even though I could.