poem for the day

The Coming of Grendel
Now from the marshlands under the mist-mountainsCame Grendel prowling; branded with God`s ire.This murderous monster was minded to entrapSome hapless human in that high hall.On he came under the clouds, until clearlyHe could see the great golden feasting place,Glimmering wine-hall of men. Not his firstRaid was this on the homeplace of Hrothgar.Never before though and never afterwardDid he encounter hardier defenders of the hall.from BEOWULF (10th centuy or earlier)