The Watchman
he Geats thanked God that they had crossed the seas safely. Their battle-armour clanged as they marched onto the beach.
The Watchman on the cliffs had seen the ship, and the men in war-dress with their polished shields. He went down and shouted to them:
'Strangers, you have steered your ship across the seas to our shore. Where are you from and why have you come here?'
Beowulf answered:
'We come from the land of the Geats. We are lord Hygelac's soldiers. I am Beowulf, son of Edgetheow, the famous fighter. We have heard that Heorot and Lord Hrothgar have an enemy, a beast who comes in darkness to kill and destroy. I will tell Lord Hrothgar a plan which will save him from his sadness and all the Danes from the misery of this monster.'
