Answer:
1. The coast-guard perceived them as foes or trespassers. Evidence for this is when he inquired:
'Who are ye men here, mail-covered warriors,
Clad in your corslets, come thus a-driving
A high riding ship o'er the shoals of the waters,
And hither 'neath helmets have hied o'er the ocean?
I have been strand-guard, standing as warden,
Lest enemies ever anywise ravage
2. Upon seeing the Geatland warriors reach the shore, the coast-guard stood tall with tension and acted swiftly to query the sailors about their purpose in visiting the Danes. This is evidenced in the phrase:
"High on his horse then, Hrothgar's retainer
Turned him to coastward, mightily brandished
His lance in his hands questioned with boldness"
Explanation:
1. The poem, Beowulf, describes the moment Beowulf and his group arrived at the shore. The coast-guard's first impression of these unexpected warriors was that they were likely enemies or intruders, possibly come to gather intelligence on the Dane Kingdom. This prompted his opening question:
'Who are ye men here, mail-covered warriors,
Clad in your corslets, come thus a-driving
A high riding ship o'er the shoals of the waters,
And hither 'neath helmets have hied o'er the ocean?
I have been strand-guard, standing as warden,
Lest enemies ever anywise ravage
2. Upon spotting them, the guard braced himself, seizing his weapon, and moved to confront them with inquiries regarding their identity and intentions in the Kingdom. This is supported by these lines:
"High on his horse then, Hrothgar's retainer
Turned him to coastward, mightily brandished
His lance in his hands questioned with boldness"
