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It is better to lose with a conscience clean

Than to win by a trick unfair;

It is better to fail and to know you’ve been,

Whatever the prize was, square,

Than to claim the joy of a far-off goal

And the cheers of the standers-by,

And to know down deep in your inmost soul

A cheat you must live and die.

Who wins by trick can take the prize,

And at first he may think it sweet,

But many a day in the future lies

When he’ll wish he had met defeat.

For the man who lost shall be glad at heart

And walk with his head up high.

While his conqueror knows he must play the part

Of a cheat and a living lie.

The prize seems fair when the fight is on,

But unless it is truly won

You will hate the thing when the crowds are gone,

For it stands for a false deed done.

And it’s better you never should reach your goal

Than ever success to buy

At the price of knowing down in your soul

That your glory is all a lie.

Words and Deeds

FROM BEOWULF, IN GUDRUN, BEOWULF AND ROLAND

WITH OTHER MEDIEVAL TALES, 1884

By John Gibb

In this selection from a re-telling of the over 1,000-year-old epic poem, the courageous warrior Beowulf comes to the aid of King Hrothgar, who is tormented by a monster named Grendel who comes to the royal hall of Heorot and devours the king’s men. On the night Beowulf is slated to take on Grendel, he defends himself from the heckling of Hunferth, who thinks Beowulf isn’t strong enough to defeat the seemingly unstoppable beast. In his reply, Beowulf demonstrates the dishonor of the man who criticizes others without having done anything himself, sets the record straight about his heroic feats, and promises to kill Grendel, a boast he will shortly make good on, showing that the man of honor backs up his words with real deeds.

The heroes entered the hall of Heorot, where upon a lofty seat sat Hrothgar ready to receive them. Beowulf spake and said—

“Hail to thee, Hrothgar, King of the Danes! I am the kinsman and the thane of Hygelac, King of the Geatas. The deeds of Grendel became known to me when I was dwelling at home, and wise men counselled me to go to your help. I am strong, and have done many mighty deeds. It was I that destroyed the Jotuns, and who slew the Nicors by night. Alone will I meet this wretch Grendel. I ask this one favour of thee, O King, that thou wilt commit to me and to my companions the task of cleansing Heorot from the foul foe.”

Hrothgar answered and said, “Thou hast come as a defence to my land, Beowulf. I am filled with sorrow and shame. Grendel has robbed me of my warriors, and no one dare any more tarry in Heorot after the light of the sun departs. Thou art welcome, since thou hast come to meet the destroyer. Sit down on the benches of the hall, and join in our feasting before thou goest to encounter the enemy.”

A bench was cleared in the hall for Beowulf and for his companions, and they sat down and drank the bright ale which was poured out for them from the flagon. A bard raised his voice and sang with a clear voice, and all the warriors rejoiced together, and there was great gladness throughout the hall.

But Hunferth, the son of Ecglaf, who sat at the feet of King Hrothgar, was displeased. He was grieved that any hero should come to the land boasting that he could do what no one among the Danes could do. He said scornfully to Beowulf—

“Tell me, art thou the Beowulf whom Breca overcame in a swimming match? I heard the tale. You both ventured out like foolish men among the waves in the days of winter. For seven nights you swam together, but Breca was the stronger. Thou wilt have a worse defeat shouldst thou venture to meet Grendel in the darkness of the night.”

Beowulf answered and said, “Hunferth, my friend, thou hast drunken too much beer. Breca never overcame me in swimming, nor did any one. But if thou wouldst hear the tale, thou shalt have it. Breca and I were boys at the time, and we swam out on the wintry sea with naked swords in our hands to defend ourselves against the sea monsters. For five nights we were together upon the waves, and he could not pass