Observations placeholder
Beowulf - Arriving at the King's Palace
Identifier
000326
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
After a long sea jurney Beowulf and his men arrive at the island of the king needing help
A description of the experience
Beowulf
The vessel was still as they set forward
The deep chested ship, staying at its mooring
Fast at its anchor. Over the cheek pieces
Boar figures shone, bristling with gold
Blazing and fire hard, fierce guards
Of their bearer’s lives. Briskly the men went
Marching together, making out at last
The ample eaves adorned with gold:
To earth’s men the most glorious
Of houses under heaven, the home of the king
Its radiance lighted the lands of the world
The coastguard showed them the shining palace
The resort of heroes, and how they might
Rightly come to it; this captain in the wars
Then brought his horse about, and broke silence
‘Here I must leave you. May the Lord Almighty
Afford His grace in your undertakings
And bring you to safety. Back at the sea shore
I resume watch against sea raiders’.