BP+Lynn

(64) Lines 2439-2478

//He shot wide and buried a shaft in the flesh and blood of his own brother.//
// -He shot an arrow into the skin of his own brother. That offence was beyond redress, a wrongfooting of the heart's affections; for who could avenge the prince's life or pay his death-price?

- The crime was too terrible and unable to set right; because who could settle the score and get revenge on the prince's life and death?

It was like the misery felt by an old man who has lived to see his son's body swing// //Th// //the gallows. He begins to keen and weep for his boy, watching the raven gloat where he hangs: he can be of no help. The wisdom of age is worthless to him.

-//The pain was that of an old man who had to see his son hung on the gallows. As he mourns for his son, he sees the crow relishing the sight from where it sits. The old man can do nothing and feels helpless, despite his age.

//Morning after morning, he wakes to remember that his child is gone; he has no interest in living on until another heir is born in the hall, now that his first-born has entered death's dominion forever.

- Everyday, the old man has to deal with the fact that his son is gone. He is indifferent to life until another child is born, now that his first child is dead forever.

He gazes sorrowfully at his son's dwelling, the banquet hall bereft of all delight, the windswept hearthstone; the horsemen are sleeping, the warriors under ground; what was is no more. No tunes from the harp, no cheer raised in the yard.//

No music, no huzzahs.
//Alone with this longing, he lies down on his bed and sings a lament; everything seems too large, the steadings and the fields.// -He lies down on his bed and sings a sad song; everything feels too big.

//Such was the feeling of loss endured by the lord of the Geats after Herebeald's death. He was helplessly placed to set to rights the wrong committed, could not punish the killer in accordance with the law of the blood-feud, although he felt no love for him.//

-This was how the lord of the Geats felt after Herebeald’s death. He was forced to avenge for the crime and could not punish the murderer based on the rules of the fight.

//Heartsore, wearied, he turned away from life's joys, chose God's light and departed, leaving buildings and lands to his sons, as a man of substance will.//

-Brokenhearted and tired, he avoided the good things in life and walked in the path of God. He left his property to his son, as a man who owns things would.

//"Then over the wide sea Swedes and Geats battled and feuded and fought without quarter.//

-The Swedes and Geats fought and fought over the sea.

Hostilities broke out when Hrethel died. Ongentheow's sons were unrelenting, refusing to make peace, campaigning violently from coast to coast, constantly setting up terrible ambushes around Hreasnahill.

-There were numerous conflicts after Hrethel passed away. Ongentheow's sons were constantly picking fights, stirring up support from everywhere, and trapping the people around Hreasnahill.