Poem Story

Cast off then his corselet of iron,helmet from head; to his henchman gave,choicest of weapons,he well-chased sword,bidding him guard the gear of battle.
= 
He took of his armor and gave it to henchman,he took the sharpest sword from his guard.


The part I'm suppose to learn.
Sai says stuff before me
laden with slaughter his lair to seek

Then at the dawning, as day was breaking, 

the might of Grendel to men was known; 

then after wassail was wail uplifted, 

loud moan in the morn. The mighty chief, 

atheling excellent, unblithe sat, 

labored in woe for the loss of his thanes, 

when once had been traced the trail of the fiend, 

spirit accurst: too cruel that sorrow, 

too long, too loathsome. Not late the respite; 

with night returning, anew began 

ruthless murder; he recked no whit, 

firm in his guilt, of the feud and crime.

In Modern English this means
When the sun was setting the men that came to fight were afraid of Grendel. Then they heard Grendels roar.