I. Beginnings

Listen well! Let me tell you of the glory of the Spear-Danes&rsquo; kings in days long past, and the valorous deeds of those mighty princes. Scyld Scefing, abandoned as a child, rose to seize the mead-benches from many tribes and troops of enemies. From this, he found solace. He grew under the heavens, thriving with honors, until each nation across the whale-road had to obey him and pay tribute.…