106 HISTORY OF THE SEA. 



voyage made by Beowulf previous to the ninth century, and 

 from this we may gather a few details, at best barren and un- 

 satisfactory, of the equipments of a vessel in those days. In 

 the extract which we give, the word " sea-nose" will readily be 

 understood as meaning headland, or promontory : 



" When the king had awaited 

 The time he should stay, 

 Came many to fare 

 On the billows so free. 

 His ship they bore out 

 To the brim of the ocean, 

 And his comrades sat down 

 At their oars as he bade. 

 A word could control 

 His good fellows, the Shylds. 

 On the deck of the ship 

 He stood, by the mast. 

 Ne'er did I hear 

 Of a vessel appointed 

 Better for battle, 

 With weapons of war, 

 And waistcoats of wool, 

 And axes and swords. 

 * * * * 



The ship was on the wares, 



Boat under the cliffs. 



The barons ready 



To the prow mounted. 



The chieftains bore 



On the naked breast 



Bright ornaments, 



War-gear, Goth-like. 



The men shoved off, 



Men on their willing way, 



The bounden wood. 



Then went over the sea-waves, 

 Hurried by the wind, 

 The ship with foamy neck, 

 Most like a sea-fowl, 

 Till about one hour 

 Of the second day 

 The curved prow 

 Had passed onward. 

 So that the sailors 

 The land saw, 



