end of his allotted days, of his worldly life; and the worm (was to die) at the same time, long though he had held the hoarded wealth.

gold, or else war carrieth, pitiless life-bale carrieth away your lord!'

Up rose then by the brink the resolute warrior, stern under his helmet, he wore 5 battle-sark among rugged cliffs, he trusted the strength of his single manhood; such is not the way of a craven. Then he beheld near the rampart he who, excellent in accomplishments, had survived a great

Then did he, of rings the patron, think it scorn that he should go seek the wideflyer with a band, with a large host; he had no fear of the encounter for himself, nor did the worm's war-craft at all subdue his puissance and enterprise; for- 10 number of wars, of battle-clashes, when

asmuch as he whilere, in shrewd jeopardy, had carried him safe through many a contest, many a battle-clash, since the time that he, a victorious boy, had purged Hrothgar's hall, and with battle-grip had 15 done for Grendel's kinsfolk, a loathsome brood.

XXXV

HE

FURTHER DISCOURSES OF BEOWULF.
GIVES A GREAT SHOUT AND THE DRAGON
COMES FORTII. THE FIGHT BEGINS; BEO-
WULF IN DISTRESS.

* * *

armed men close-beheld where stood a rocky arch, and out of it a stream breaking from the barrow, the surface of that burn was steaming hot with cruel fire; nigh to the hoard could not the hero unscorched any while survive for the flame of the dragon.

Then did the prince of the StormGoths, being elate with rage, let forth 20 word out of his breast, the strong-hearted stormed; the shout penetrated within (the cavern), vibrating clear as a battle-cry, under the hoary rock. Fury was stirred; the hoard-warder recognized speech of 25 man; opportunity was there no more, to stickle for terms of peace. In advance Beowulf uttered speech, with boastful first of all there came the reeking breath words he spake, for the last time: 'I of the monster, out from the rock, a hot hazarded many wars in youth; yet again jet of defiance; the ground trembled. will I, the aged keeper of the folk, seek 30 The warrior under the barrow side, the strife, and do famously; if the fell ravGothic captain, swung his mighty shield ager out of his earthen dome will come against the hideous customer; therewithal forth to meet me.' Then did he address was the heart of the ringy worm incited a word of greeting to each of his men, to seek battle. Already the brave warthe keen helm-wearers, for the last time, 35 king had drawn sword, ancient heirloom his own familiar comrades. I would not of speedy edge; each of the belligerents bear sword or weapon to meet the worm, had a dread of the other. Resolute in if I knew how might otherwise main- mind the prince of friends took stand tain my vaunt against the monster, as I well up to his hoised shield, while the formerly did against Grendel. But there 40 worm buckled suddenly in a bow; - he stood to his weapons. I expect fire, deadly scorching, blast and venom; for that reason I have upon me shield and byrnie. I will not flee away from the keeper of the mountain, no, not a foot space; but it shall be decided between us two on this rampart, as Wyrd allots us, (and) the Governor of every man. I am in spirit so eager for action, that I cut short bragging against the wingy warrior. Await ye on the moun- 50 tain, with your byrnies about you, menat-arms, to see which of us twain may after deadly tussle best be able to survive his hurt. That is not your mission, nor any man's task save mine alone, that he 55 try strength against the monster, achieve heroism. I must with daring conquer

45

Then did the flaming foe, curved like an arch, advance upon him with headlong shuffle. The shield effectually protected life and limb a less while for the glorious chieftain than his sanguine hope expected, supposing he, that time, early in the morning, was to achieve glory in the strife; so had Wyrd not ordained it. Up swung he his hand, the Gothic captain, he smote the spotted horror with the mighty heirloom, that its brown edge turned upon the bony crust; less effectually bit than was required by the king's need, who was sorely pressed. Then was the keeper of the barrow after that shrewd assault furious with rage, cast

forth devouring fire, the deadly sparks sprang every way: the gold-friend of the Goths plumed him not on strokes of vantage; the war-bill had failed him with its bared edge on the foe, as it had not been expected to do, metal of old renown. That was no light experience, inducing the mighty son of Ecgtheow to relinquish that emprise; he must consent to inhabit a dwelling otherwhere;

man resign allotted days.

5

Goths armor untold of every sort; after which he departed out of life, ripe for the parting journey.

Now this was the first adventure for the young champion wherein he had with his liege lord to enterprise the risk of war; his courage did not melt in him, nor did his kinsman's heirloom prove weak in the conflict; a fact which the so must every 10 worm experienced, as soon as they had . come to close quarters.

Then was it not long until the combatants closed again. The hoard-warder rallied his courage, out of his breast shot steam, as beginning again; - direly suf- 15 fering, encompassed with fire, was he who erewhile had ruled men. Not (alas!) in a band did his life-guardsmen, sons of ethelings, stand about him with war-custom of comrades; no, to the wood they slunk, to shelter life. In one only of them did his soul surge in a tumult of grief; — kindred may never be diverted from duty, for the man who is rightly minded.

XXXVI

BEOWULF HAD ONE FAITHFUL FOLLOWER IN
THE DESPERATE STRUGGLE. HIS FATAL
WOUND.

Wiglaf discoursed much that was fitting; he said to his comrades that his soul was sad: I recall the time, when we enjoyed the mead, then did we promise our lord in the festive hall, to him who gave us rings, that we would repay him the war-harness, if any need of this kind should befall him, would repay him for helmets and tempered swords. That is why he chose us of his host for this adventure by his own preference, reminded us of glory and promised rewards, because he counted us brave warriors, keen 25 helm-wearers; although our lord had designed single-handed to accomplish this mighty work, the shepherd of his people, forasmuch as he of all men had achieved most of famous exploits, of desperate 30 deeds. Now is the day come, that our liege lord behooves the strength of brave warriors; let us go to him, help our warchief, while the scorching heat is on him, the grim fiery terror! God knows of me, that I had much liever the flame should swallow my body with my gold-giver. Me thinketh it indecent, that we bear our shields back to our home, unless we can first quell the foe, and rescue the life of the Storm-folk's ruler. I know well those were not the old habits of service, that he alone of the Gothic nobles should bear the brunt, should sink in fight; our sovereign must be requited for sword and helm, byrnie and stately uniform, and so he shall by me, though a common death take us both.'

Wiglaf was his name, Weohstan's son, a beloved warrior, a leed of the Scylfings, a kinsman of Elfhere: he beheld his liegelord under helmet, distressed by the heat. 35 Then did he remember the (territorial) honor which he (Beowulf) had formerly given him, the well-stocked homestead of the Wægmundings, every political prerogative which his father had enjoyed: 40 then could he not refrain; hand grasped shield, yellow linden, drew the old sword, known among men as the relic of Eanmund, son of Ohthere, whom, when a lordless exile, Weohstan had slain, in fair 45 fight, with weapon's edge; and from his kindred had carried off the brown-mottled helmet, ringed byrnie, old mysterious sword; which Onela yielded to him, his nephew's war-harness, accoutrement com- 50 plete; not a word spake he (Onela) about the feud, although he (Weohstan) had killed his brother's son. He (Weohstan) retained the spoils many years, bill and byrnie, until when his boy was able to 55 claim warrior's rank, like his father before him; then gave he to him before the

Then he sped through the deadly reek, he came with helm on head to his lord's assistance; few words spake he: My liege Beowulf, now make good all that which thou once saidst in time of youth, that thou never by thy lifetime wouldest let thy glory decline; now must thou, glorious in deeds, etheling impetuous, with all thy might defend life; I shall support thee to the utmost.'

After these words were spoken, the worm came on in fury, the fell malignant monster came on for the second time, with fire-jets flashing, to engage his enemies, hated men; with the waves of flame the shield was consumed all up to the boss; the mail-coat could not render assistance to the young warrior; but the young stripling valorously went forward under his kinsman's shield when his own 10 was reduced to ashes by the gleeds. Then once more the warlike king remembered glory, remembered his forceful strength, so smote with battle-bill that it stood in the monster's head, desperately 15 impelled. Nægling flew in splinters, Beowulf's sword betrayed him in battle, though old and monumental gray. To him was it not granted that edges of iron should help him in fight; too strong was 20 the hand of the man who with his stroke overtaxed (as I have heard say) all swords whatsoever; so that when he carried to conflict a weapon preternaturally. hard, he was none the better for it.

Then for the third time was the monstrous ravager, the infuriated fire-drake, roused to vengeance; he rushed on the heroic man, as he had yielded ground, fiery and destructive, his entire neck he enclosed with lacerating teeth; he was bloodied over with the vital stream; gore surged forth in waves.

XXXVII

THE DRAGON SLAIN. BEOWULF IN MORTAL

AGONY.

middle. They had quelled the foe, deathdaring prowess had executed revenge, and they two together, cousin ethelings, had destroyed him; - such should a fel5 low be, a thane at need. To the chieftain that was the supreme triumphal hour of his career - by his own deeds of his life's completed work.

Then began the wound which the earthdragon had just now inflicted on him, to inflame and swell. That he soon discovered, that in his breast fatal mischief was working, venom in the inward parts. Then the etheling went until he sat him on a stone by the mound, thoughtfully pondering; he looked upon the cunning work of dwarfs, how there the world-old earth-dome do contain within it stone arches firmly set upon piers. Upon him then, gory from conflict, illustrious monarch, the thane immeasurably good, ladled water with hand upon his natural chieftain, battle-worn; and unloosened his helmet. Beowulf discoursed — in spite of 25 his hurt he spake, his deadly exhausting wound; he knew well that he had spent his hours, his enjoyment of earth; surely all was gone of the tale of his days, death immediately nighNow I would 30 have given my war-weeds to my son, had it so been that any heir had been given to come after me, born of my body. I have ruled this people fifty winters; there was not the king, not any king of 35 those neighboring peoples, who dared to greet me with war-mates, to menace with terror. I in my habitation observed social obligations, I held my own with justice, I have not sought insidious quarrels, nor have I sworn many false oaths. Considering all this, I am able, though sick with deadly wounds, to have comfort; forasmuch as the Ruler of men cannot charge me with murder-bale of kinsmen, when my life quitteth the body.

Then I heard tell how, in the glorious king's extremity, the young noble put 40 forth exemplary prowess of force and daring, as was his nature to; he regarded not that (formidable) head, but the valiant man's hand was scorched, while he helped his kinsman, insomuch that he 45 smote the fell creature a little lower down, the man-at-arms did, with such effect that the sword penetrated, the chased and gilded sword, yea, with such effect that the fire began to subside from that mo- 50

ment.

Then once more the beloved king recovered his senses, drew the war-knife, biting and battle-sharp, which he wore

'Now quickly go thou, to examine the treasure, under the hoary rock, beloved Wiglaf, now the worm lieth dead, sleepeth sore wounded, of riches bereaved. Be now on the alert, that I may ascertain the ancient wealth, the golden property, may fully survey the brilliant, the curious gems; that I may be able the more contentedly, after (seeing) the treasured.

on his mail-coat; the crowned head of the 55 store, to resign my life, and the lordship Storm-folk gashed the

worm in the

which I long have held.'

XXXVIII

BEOWULF IS GRATIFIED WITH

SEEING THE TREASURES. HE DEMISES THE CROWN AND DIES.

Then I heard tell how the son of Weohstan after the injunction promptly obeyed his wounded death-sick lord; bore his ring-mail, linked war-sark, under the roof of the barrow. Then the victorious 10 youth, as he went along by the stony bench, the true and courageous thane, beheld many jewels of value, gold glistening, indenting the ground, wondrous

treasures of his breast. Beowulf discoursed, the old man in pain, he contemplated the gold: 'I do utter a thanksgiving to the Lord of all, to the 5 king of glory, to the eternal captain, for those spoils upon which I here do gaze; to think that I have been permitted to acquire such for my leeds before the day of my death. Now I have sold my expiring life-term for a hoard of treasure; ye now shall provide for the requirements of the leeds; I cannot be any longer here. Order my brave warriors to erect a lofty cairn after the bale-fire, at the

things in the barrow; - and the lair of 15 headland over the sea; it shall tower

the worm, the old dawn-flyer- vases
standing, choice vessels of men of old,
with none to burnish them, their in-
crustations fallen away. There was
many a helmet, old and rusty, many a 20
bracelet, with appendage of trinkets.
Treasure may easily, gold in the earth,
may easily make a fool of any man;
heed it who will! Likewise he saw
looming above the hoard a banner all 25
golden, greatest marvel of handiwork,
woven with arts of incantation; out of
it there stood forth a gleam of light, in-
somuch that he was able to discern the
surface of the floor, and survey the 30
strange curiosities. Of the worm there
was not any appearance, but the knife
had put him out of the way.

aloft on Hronesness for a memorial to my leeds, that sea-faring men in time to come may call it Beowulf's Barrow, those who on distant voyages drive their foamy barks over the scowling floods.'

The brave-hearted monarch took off from his neck the golden collar and gave it to the thane, to the young spear-fighter, his gold-hued helmet, coronet, and byrnie; bade him brook them well: Thou art the last remnant of our stock, of the Wægmundings; Fate has swept all my kinsmen away into eternity, princes in chivalry; I must after them.'

That was the aged man's latest word, from the meditations of his breast, before he chose the bale-fire, the hot consuming flames; - out of his bosom the soul departed, to enter into the lot of

Then heard I how in the chambered mound the old work of dwarfs was spoiled 35 the just. by a single man, how he gathered into his lap cups and platters at his own discretion; the banner also he took, the most brilliant of ensigns; the sword with its iron edge had even now despatched the 40 old proprietor, the one who had been the possessor of these treasures for a long while; a hot and flaming terror he had waged for the hoard, gushing with destruction at midnights; until he died the 45 death.

The messenger was in haste, eager to return, fraught with spoils; painfully he wondered in his brave soul whether he should find alive the prince of the Storm- 50 folk, on the open ground where he left him erst, chivalrously dying. He then bearing the treasures, found the illustrious king, his captain, bleeding from his wounds, at the extremity of life; he be- 55 gan again to sprinkle him with water, until the point of speech forced open the

XXXIX

A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE SITUATION. WIG-
LAF UPBRAIDS THE RECREANT COMPAN-
IONS. HE PRONOUNCES UPON THEM AND
THEIR KIN A SENTENCE OF DEGRADATION.

Thus had a hard experience overtaken the inexperienced youth, that he saw upon the ground the man who was dearest to him at his life's end in a helpless condition. His destroyer likewise lay dead, the horrible earth-dragon, bereft of life, crushed in ruin; no longer was the coiled worm to be lord of the jeweltreasures, but they had been wrested from him with weapons of iron, hard battle-sharp relics of hammers, insomuch that the wide-flyer tamed by wounds had fallen on earth nigh to the hoard-chamber; no more through the regions of air did he sportively whirl at midnights, and

elate over his treasured property, display his presence; but on earth he collapsed, through mighty hand of warriorprince.

proof. Little protection could I afford him in the conflict, and I attempted nevertheless what was beyond my ability, to help my kinsman; ever was he (the 5 dragon) the feebler, when I with sword smote the destroyer, the fire less violently gushed from his inwards. Defenders too few pressed round their prince, when the dire moment overtook him. Now

Howbeit, that has rarely in the world prospered with men, even men of fame, -by my information,- daring though a man might be in all deeds whatsoever; that he should rush against the breath of the poisonous destroyer, or with hands 10 must (all) sharing of treasure, and pres

molest the ring-hall, if he found the keeper waking, at home in the barrow. Beowulf had purchased the gain of princely treasures with his death; he had howsoever reached the end of transitory life.

entation of swords, all patrimonial wealth and estate, escheat from your kin; every man of that family may roam destitute of land-right, as soon as ethel15 ings at a distance are informed of your desertion, your ignominious conduct. Death is preferable, for every warrior, rather than a life of infamy.'

Then was it not long until the warlaggards quitted the wood, the fainthearted traitors, ten all together, those who whilere durst not sport their lances 20 in the great need of their liege lord; but they in shame bore their shields, their war-weeds, to the place where the aged warrior lay dead; they looked upon Wiglaf!

25

He sat wearied out, the active champion, nigh his lord's shoulder; was refreshing him with water; his care availed nothing; he could not retain upon earth, well as he would have wished it, 30 that chieftain's life; nor turn the Almighty's will; the dispensation of God. would take effect upon men of all conditions, just as it does at present. Then had the young man a grim answer 35 promptly ready for such as erst had failed in courage. Wiglaf discoursed, Weohstan's son; the youth with sorrowful heart looked upon men whom he no longer loved:

'That, look you, may a man say, a man who is minded to speak the truth, that the chieftain who gave you those decorations, military apparel, which ye there stand upright in,- when he at alebench often presented to inmates of his hall helmet and byrnie, as a prince to thanes, of such make as he far or near could procure most trusty that he utterly threw away those war-weeds miserably. When stress of battle overtook him, the folk-king had by no means cause to boast of his companions-in-arms; nevertheless it was accorded to him by God, the ordainer of victories, that he avenged himself single-handed with his weapon, when his valor was put to the

XL

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE EVENT TO THE
ARMED HOST. THE ENVOY ADDS A DIS-
COURSE REVIEWING THE SITUATION.

Orders gave he then to announce the issue of the conflict to the camp up over the seacliff, where the host of eorls, from morning all day long, had with anxious. hearts sat by their shields, in divided anticipation between a fatal day and the return of the beloved man. Little reticent was he of the latest tidings, he who rode up the bluff; he truthfully spake out in the hearing of all: 'Now is the bounteous chief of the leeds of the Stormfolk, the captain of the Goths, motionless on bed of death, he dwells in war-like repose by the deeds of the worm! with him in even case lieth his 40 mortal antagonist, smitten with dirkwounds: - with sword he could not upon the monster by any means effect a wound. Over Beowulf sitteth Wiglaf, Weohstan's boy, a living eorl over a dead; over his unconscious head he holdeth guard against friend and foe.

45

50

Now the leeds may expect a time of war, as soon as the king's fall is published abroad among Franks and Frisians. The obstinate quarrel with the Hugas was set up when Hygelac came with embarked army upon the Frisian land, where the Hetware in battle van55 quished him; resolutely they struck with overwhelming force, insomuch that the mailed warrior was compelled to bow his head; he fell among the fighting men: