Bugon þa to bence blædagande
Fylle gefægon fægere geþægon
Medoful manig magas þara
Swiðhicgende on sele þam hean
"Bowed then to the benches, the bearers-of-glory.
Fully rejoiced, they fairly received
many mead cups, the kinsmen there
of strong determination, who sat on the high hall."
(BEOWULF, vv. 1013–6. My translation)
In the joyous feasts in Heorot, the maidens of the scyldingas are seen giving cups of mead to the brave warriors, young and old.
There was princess Freawaru, the golden child of Hrothgar. And always behind her, a humble þeow, young Beadohild the bædling. Both a sight to the men of the symbel.













