Which statement from the passage most clearly establishes characterization for hrothgar?

he knew an attack upon his high hall had been planned by the monster ever since dawn, . . the troop all arose. then the old king addressed the young warrior, / hrothgar to beowulf, wished him good luck / control of the wine hall, and spoke these words: / "never before, since i could lift shield-arm, / have i entrusted the hall of the danes / to any other man, except to you now."