Some of our favorite quotes of loyalty from Beowulf

“After Hygelac had offered greetings To his loyal thane in lofty speech, He and his kinsman, that hale survivor,”(1977-1979)

“Wisest of kings, now that I have come To the point of action, I ask you to recall What we said earlier: that you, son of Halfdane And gold-friend to retainers, that you, if I should fall And suffer death while serving your cause, Would act like a father to me afterwards. If this combat kills me, take care Of my young company, my comrades in arms. And be sure also, my beloved Hrothgar, To send Hygelac the treasures I received. Let the lord of the Geats gaze on that gold, Let Hrethel’s son take note of it and see That I found a ring-giver of rare magnificence And enjoyed the good of his generosity.” (1474-1487)

“So every elder and experience councilman Among my people supported my resolve To come here to you, King Hrothgar, Because all knew of my awesome strength. They had seen me boltered in the blood of enemies When I battled and bound five beasts, Raided a troll-nest and in the night-sea Slaughtered sea-brutes. I have suffered extremes And avenged the Geats (their enemies brought it Upon themselves, I devastated them). Now I mean to be a match for Grendel, Settle the outcome in a single combat.” (415-426)

Wiglaf→ Beowulf “He left the head lone, but his fighting hand was burned when he came to his kinsman’s aid.”(2697-2698)

“now the day has come When this lord we serve needs sound men To give him their support. Let us go to him, Help our leader through the hot flame And dread of the fire. As God is my witness, I would rather my body were robbed in the same Burning blaze as my gold-giver’s body Than go back home bearing arms.” (2650-2655)

Beowulf → Hrothgar

“Time and again, Beowulf warriors worked to defend their lord’s life, laying about them as best they could with their ancestral blades.” (793-796)

“Their lord, Ingeld, and his loyal thanes, When he walks in with that woman to the feast:”(2033-4)

“I believe what you have told me: that you are a troop Loyal to our king. So come ahead With your arms and your gear, and I will guide you.” (lines 289-291)

“Here each comrade is true to the other Loyal to lord, loving in spirit.” (1228-9)

Sheafson ←→ the Danes

"The Spear-Danes in days gone by and the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness. . . . There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes, a wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes. . . . A foundling to start with, he would flourish later on . . . In the end each clan on the outlying coasts beyond the whale-road had to yield to him and begin to pay tribute. That was one good king. (1-11)

Aeschere← → Hrothgar

“Aeschere was everything The world admires in a wise man and a friend.(1328)