What Does Hrothgar Promise Beowulf

Beowulf

a summary in English language prose by

D. L. Ashliman
© 2010

Prologue
Part One: Beowulf and Grendel
Part Two: Beowulf and Grendel's Mother
Part 3: Beowulf and the Dragon

Render to D. L. Ashliman's folktexts , a library of folktales, sociology, fairy tales, and mythology.

Prologue

Listen! We have heard of the glory of the kings who ruled the Danes in olden times. Scyld Scefing ofttimes drove enemy warriors from their mead-hall benches, although he himself had one time been a destitute foundling. In spite of this he came to prosper. With time all the neighboring tribes served him and paid him tribute. That was a good king!

Scyld died at the fated fourth dimension. Post-obit his wishes, his body was placed on a well-outfitted send, laden with treasures and weapons. Then his kinsmen let the sea deport him away. No one on world knows who received that send'southward cargo.

Part One: Beowulf and Grendel

1

Following Scyld's expiry the kingship of the Danes passed to Scyld's son Beowulf [not the hero of this epic], then in turn to his son Healfdene, so to his son Hrothgar. Each of these successors proved to be a venerable leader.

I have heard tell how Hrothgar had a great mead-hall congenital. It was larger and grander than whatever such hall that anyone had always heard of. He named the keen hall Heorot. Here, with great ceremony, he dispensed lavish gifts to young and sometime, thus giving thanks for his own victories and prosperity.

Not long later the hall's merriment was brought to an stop past a grim foe named Grendel, who haunted marshes and moors, fens and heath. This wretched being, along with monsters, elves, bounding main-beasts, and giants, was a descendent of Cain, whom the Lord had banished from flesh for the slaying of Abel.

2

Grendel attacked during the night. Post-obit an evening of mead drinking, the Danish warriors were fast asleep. Grendel seized xxx of them, and then carried them back to his lair. At dawn the survivors discovered their nifty loss. They saw the monster's tracks leading away from Heorot, merely information technology was also late to save his victims.

These loathsome attacks continued for twelve winters. Night after nighttime Grendel haunted the misty moors, pursuing his victims. Nor was anyone safe in Heorot, where he attacked at will.

Many of the grief-stricken Danes, seeing no other source of assistance, returned to their quondam heathen religion. Woe unto him who thus rejects the Lord.

three

Tidings of Grendel's attacks reached the country of the Geats. Beowulf, a thane of Hygelac, King of the Geats, heard of Grendel's deeds and resolved to come to the Danes' rescue. No one faulted him for this determination. He was a proven hero.

Beowulf had a transport outfitted for the journey, then chose xv warriors to accompany him. A skilled mariner pointed out the landmarks to them.

Driven by the wind, the ship sped across the waves. On the second 24-hour interval the sailors caught sight of gleaming cliffs and broad headlands. They went aground and secured their ship.

A Danish guard saw them from the cliff as they came ashore with their shields and weapons. This thane of Hrothgar approached them on horseback. Waving his spear he challenged them with these words: "What warriors are y'all, sailing your corking ship along the ocean-paths? I am a fellow member of the coastguard, charged with protecting the Danish land. Never have I seen a band of warriors attempt to state here more openly than you have done. Who is your brave leader, and what is his lineage?"

iv

Beowulf answered: "We are of the Geatish kin, Hygelac's hearth-companions. I am the son of a noble prince named Ecgtheow. Nosotros have come to serve the mighty lord of the Danes. We have heard that some secret destroyer causes great terror among the Scyldings on night nights. I intend to help Hrothgar overcome this foe."

The coastguardsman pointed the way to Heorot, so returned to his mail service. Beowulf and his men hurried onward. The boar-images glistened above the cheek-guards on their helmets.

5

The street was paved with stones. The men followed this path to the great hall. Leaning their shields against the wall, they sat down upon the benches [exterior the hall].

A warrior asked the heroes most their lineage: "Where accept you come from, with your shields, state of war-shirts, visored helmets, and spears. I am Hrothgar'due south servant and herald. Never earlier have I seen such a ring of strangers in such a courageous mood."

Beowulf answered: "We are tabular array-companions of Hygelac. Beowulf is my proper noun. I volition reveal my errand to the son of Healfdene, your groovy male monarch, if you will have united states of america to him."

Wulfgar (that was the herald'due south name) rapidly went to Hrothgar, now erstwhile and white-haired. Wulfgar spoke: "Geatish warriors have arrived here from across the sea. They telephone call their chieftain Beowulf. They have requested to speak with you."

vi

Hrothgar spoke: "I knew Beowulf when he was a kid. His male parent was called Ecgtheow, and he has come as a loyal friend. Moreover, seafarers have reported here that Beowulf is strong in boxing. The grip of his hand is said to have the strength of 30 men. Bid him and his band of kinsmen welcome amongst the Danish people.

Wulfgar came to the door of the hall and announced from within: "My victorious lord bids me say that he knows your noble lineage. You are welcome hither. You may come within to Hrothgar, wearing your armor and helmets, but exit your spears exterior until after you lot take spoken." Beowulf approached Hrothgar, then spoke: "Hail to thee, Hrothgar! In my native land I learned of Grendel's deeds. Seafarers study that this great hall is useless for all men after nightfall. Knowing my great strength, my people urged me to come to your assistance. They have seen me return from boxing stained with the claret of my foes. I take destroyed a race of giants and have slain body of water-beasts by nighttime. Now I have come to cleanse Heorot of the evil that has come upon it. Furthermore, I have learned that Grendel, the giant monster, has no fear of weapons, and then I will fight him with my blank easily, without sword or shield. If I fail, have no business concern virtually my burial; Grendel will devour my corpse. Do, yet, ship my chainmail back to Hygelac. Information technology is the best of armor, inherited from Hrethel [Beowulf's granddad], and the piece of work of Weland [a legendary smith].

7

Hrothgar replied: "Nosotros thanks for coming to our defense. It is with sorrow that I tell what shame and grief Grendel has caused. Many of my all-time warriors have fallen victim to his horrid clutch. Frequently my warriors have boastfully vowed while drinking their ale to take vengeance, just the next morning the mead-hall has been stained with their blood. Join usa at present in a feast and share with my men how you program to achieve victory."

In the mead-hall a bench was fabricated fix for the Geats. Mead was served. A bard sang with a clear voice. The assembled warriors rejoiced, Geats and Danes alike.

8

Withal, one of the Danes, Unferth by name, was jealous of the attention given to Beowulf, and seeking to stir upwardly a quarrel he spoke: "Are yous the Beowulf who foolishly challenged Breca to a swimming contest, risking your lives in the deep water? No i could turn you away from the foolhardy venture, and the ii of yous swam out into the bounding main. For seven nights the two of you battled the waters, simply he had the greater forcefulness, and he outlasted yous. The waves drove him ashore on the coast of Kingdom of norway, and he was proclaimed the winner. I look even worse results for yous with your contest confronting Grendel."

Beowulf answered: "Unferth, my friend, in your drunkenness you have said much about my adventure with Breca. Now I volition tell the truth of what happened. When nosotros were still boys Breca and I had boasted that one 24-hour interval nosotros would test our forcefulness at sea; and we did every bit nosotros had spoken in our youth. To defend ourselves against whales we swam carrying naked swords in our easily. Neither of us could gain an advantage over the other one, and thus nosotros swam together for 5 nights, until finally the common cold waves collection us autonomously. The bounding main-fish grew angry, simply my shirt of chainmail protected me. An evil monster dragged me to the bottom, but I was able to stab the creature with the bespeak of my sword, and then dispatched him with my hand."

9

Beowulf continued: "Other evil creatures attacked me, but I killed them all with my sword. Never again would they hinder seafarers. With the morning calorie-free the waves were stilled. Destiny had not doomed me to die. Instead, I had slain nine bounding main monsters with my sword. I escaped from all these perils, and the current finally carried me to the land of the Finns. Unferth, I accept never heard of such exploits on your role. No, neither you nor Breca has ever performed so goodly. If you were equally fierce in battle as you claim to exist, the heath monster Grendel would not have been so successful in his attacks confronting the Danish people. He kills and feasts without fear of the Danes, but I volition bear witness him the strength and courage of the Geats. After that whoever will may drink mead in this nifty hall without fear."

The gray-haired king rejoiced in these words; he trusted in Beowulf for help. Laughter and joyous words rang throughout the hall.

ten

That nighttime Beowulf and his kinsmen-in-arms kept spotter in the dandy hall. Trusting in his own force and in the Lord's favor, he took off his chainmail and helmet, and gave his sword to a thane for safekeeping. All the watchmen salvage one roughshod asleep. Beowulf waited and watched.

11

Grendel drew most from the moorland beneath the misty hillsides. Heorot's door, although secured with burn down-hardened bands, opened at his first touch. In the hall he saw many sleeping warriors, and he laughed in his center. Thinking to impale each 1, he hoped for a bountiful feast. The mighty kinsman of Hygelac was watching to see how the foe would assail. Of a sudden the monster seized a sleeping thane, tore him to pieces, then drank his blood and devoured his corpse. He stepped nearer to Beowulf, clutching at him with his claw, only the keen warrior took agree of Grendel'southward arm with groovy strength. Never before had this master of evil encountered such human forcefulness. He tried to flee into the darkness, but he could not break Beowulf's powerful grip. Grendel'southward fingers finally burst and bled. The 2 opponents wrestled madly. The hall echoed with the sound of their battle. It was a wonder that the building did not fall to the basis. Every bit I accept heard men tell, their struggles tore many a mead-demote from its base.

12

Beowulf's warriors drew their swords, hoping to protect the life of their lord, but when they plunged into the fight they shortly discovered that their blades were useless against this foul destroyer. By a spell Grendel had protected himself against all weapons. But nonetheless, this twenty-four hour period he was doomed to die a wretched death. A gaping wound appeared on his shoulder, and mortally wounded, he fled, full knowing that the appointed number of his days had at present come.

The lord of the Geats had fabricated good his before boast. The Danes' affliction was now at an end. Rejoicing, the warrior threw down a token of his victory: the whole claw and arm of Grendel.

13

As I have heard, warriors from nearly and far assembled at Heorot to behold the foe'due south tracks, which pb to the Mere of Water Demons. Its waters were seething with blood, and its waves were mingled with gore. There in the depths he gave up his infidel soul to Hel [Loki's girl, and the ruler of the realm of the expressionless].

With rejoicing the warrior returned to Heorot and to a great commemoration. 1 of the rex's thanes who knew sometime tales without number, cleverly equanimous a new story, a true tale, narrating Beowulf's adventure.

He also told everything that he had heard of the mighty Sigemund, the son of Wælsing [Volsung], including exploits of which the son of men knew zippo, save Fitala [Sinfiötli], his nephew and comrade. Sigemund's neat fame carried forth beyond his death, for he had slain the dragon who kept baby-sit over the treasure. In his daring exploits he was past far the almost famed of adventurers among the nations.

14

Hrothgar went to the hall, beheld Grendel's arm, and spoke: "Praise God for this miracle. Through his power a human has accomplished that which we ourselves were unable to do. Praise exist to the woman who gave birth to this homo. Beowulf, henceforth I shall love y'all like a son."

And then Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke, recounting the details of his battle with Grendel. Unferth, too, was present, but he made no more boastful speeches, now having seen the monster's dismembered hand with its steel-like claws.

15

Strait away Heorot was adorned for a great feast. A big crowd gathered at that place in celebration. In that location the son of Healfdene gave to Beowulf many lavish gifts, including a gold ensign, a helmet, a coat of chainmail, a mighty sword, and 8 horses with golden bridles.

16

Moreover, Hrothgar bestowed precious heirlooms upon each homo who had crossed the sea with Beowulf. The celebration continued with singing and music. The harp was struck, and the rex's bard presented the frequently-sung Lay of King Finn.

17

Later the gleeman had finished singing Wealhtheow [Hrothgar'southward wife] came along. She presented her king with a golden cup, saying: "Be gracious toward the Geats and mindful of gifts. Be generous while you may."

eighteen

Thereupon many boosted precious gifts were brought to Beowulf, including two armlets, rings, armor, and the greatest collar that I have e'er heard tell of since Hama carried away the necklace of the Brisings.

"Receive this collar with joy, and prosper well, dear Beowulf," said Wealhtheow.

The celebration then connected with food and wine. When evening fell Hrothgar returned to his lodgings. The guards, as they had often done before, cleared the benches and covered them with bedding and pillows. Doomed to death, one of the revelers laid himself downward to rest with his comrades.

Part Two: Grendel's Mother

19

They brutal asleep, simply one paid dearly for his rest. Although the old foe was expressionless, there lived an avenger: Grendel's female parent. This adult female-monster brooded over her woes. A descendant of Cain, she too lived in the wilderness removed from the joys of men. She came to Heorot determined to seek revenge for the decease of her son. Hastily she clutched one of the heroes in his sleep, a favorite thane of Hrothgar. Then retrieving Grendel'southward arm she retreated to her lair.

Beowulf was not there, for he had been given some other lodging identify. Awakened, the warriors in the hall sounded the alert.

xx

Hrothgar mourned the murder of Æschere, his thane. He sensed who had done the evil deed, for he had heard from people home in the countryside of two night-stalkers of the marshes and moors, 1 like unto a woman, the other in the epitome of a miscreated man. They were said to dwell among the wolf-haunted slopes, savage fen-paths, and current of air-swept cliffs where mountain streams fall, shrouded in the mists of the headlands. Not far from there is a mere. Trees hang over its waters, and at dark-time can be seen a dreadful wonder: fire on the flood. No man knows its depth.

He addressed Beowulf: "Once once again help rests with you alone. Seek out this cruel and cheerless spot, if you dare. I will reward yous with bang-up treasure, as I did before, if you succeed in getting there alive."

21

Beowulf replied: "Sorrow not. Information technology is ameliorate for a human being to avenge his friend than to mourn exceedingly. Each of us volition one mean solar day reach the end of worldly life. Therefore let him who may, win glory before he dies. That is a warrior's greatest boon at life'due south end. Now permit u.s. follow the tracks of Grendel'due south mother. I promise you, she shall not escape."

The old human being jumped up, thanking God for Beowulf'due south words. Accompanied by a troop of warriors they followed the foe's tracks over steep and rocky slopes, over sheer cliffs, and past many a sea-monster'due south haunt. Suddenly they came upon a mere, overhung with a cheerless wood. And in that location, to their disgust and dismay, they discovered Æschere'south head. Below, the mere's waters seethed with blood and gore.

The troop sat downwards. They saw serpents and dragons swimming in the water and body of water-monsters lying along the headland-slopes. They sounded the battle horn, and the creatures sped abroad, only not before Beowulf killed ane of them with his bow and arrow.

Then Beowulf, taking no thought for his own life, put on his armor of chainmail and his helmet, fitted with boar figures then that no sword could bite it. He picked up the sword, Hrunting past name, that Unferth had lent him. One of the greatest among ancient treasures, its atomic number 26 blade was stained with poison and hardened with the blood of battle.

22

Taking get out of Hrothgar, Beowulf set along into the mere. It took the better part of a day before he sighted the bottom.

The blood-thirsty monster who had lived there for a hundred seasons [fifty years] soon discovered his presence, and she seized the warrior with her horrid claws. His ringed armor protected him, and she did him no harm, just she did drag him into her dwelling house. The hero saw that he was in a hall where the h2o could practise him no harm. He attacked the mighty mere-woman, the she-wolf of the deep, with his sword, only he found that he could non wound her with it. Throwing the famous sword to the basis, he again trusted in his force. He seized Grendel's mother by the shoulder and threw her to the floor. She fought dorsum fiercely, causing him to stumble and fall. She saturday on him and stabbed at him with her dagger, simply again his coat of chainmail protected him. Finally he regained his feet.

23

Then he saw hanging on the wall an old sword from the age of giants. It was the choicest of weapons, merely information technology was a sword for giants, also heavy for whatsoever human being to carry into boxing. Still, the bang-up hero seized the hilt and savagely struck out at the monster. The blow defenseless her at the neck and sliced off her doomed head.

Suddenly light filled the place, and the victorious warrior looked about. He saw Grendel'southward trunk. Equally a final deed of vengeance, Beowulf cut off his lifeless head.

On shore Hrothgar and his men were watching the mere. Seeing the troubled waves mingled with blood, they feared that the sea-wolf had torn Beowulf to pieces. At the ninth hour of the mean solar day the Danes returned to their homes, but the Geats, Beowulf'southward comrades-in-arms, remained there sick at heart.

Meanwhile the sword in Beowulf'due south manus began to waste material away. Drenched in blood, it melted abroad like an icicle at winter's terminate. Beowulf saw great treasures at that place in the hall, only all that he took away was Grendel's head and the hilt of the sword, its blade having wasted away.

He swam to the surface, and his valiant thanes rejoiced in seeing him safe and sound. They returned to Heorot, bearing Grendel'due south caput upon a spear.

24

Beowulf spoke to Rex Hrothgar: "Behold this token of victory. I near perished, for the nifty sword Hrunting proved ineffective in my struggle confronting the fiend, merely at last I saw an old and mighty sword hanging on the wall, and with this sword I slew the enemy. Her blood melted the great sword'southward bract, just the hilt I have carried away every bit a sign that henceforth your men may sleep peacefully in Heorot."

With these words Beowulf presented to King Hrothgar the hilt, the ancient work of giants, created earlier the flood destroyed the giant race. Its baby-sit was of shining gold, graven correctly with runic letters and brightly adorned with snakes.

25

King Hrothgar spoke: "Dear Beowulf, best of men, keep yourself from arrogance and envy. Y'all are now at the peak of your power, just with historic period your strength volition wane, and with time death will overcome you."

The next morning Beowulf announced his desire to return to his own homeland. With kind thanks he returned the sword Hrunting to Unferth, generously praising the ancient weapon. He was a human being of noble spirit!

26

Beowulf spoke to King Hrothgar: "We seafarers at present return to our Male monarch Hygelac. You lot take been good to us. If, beyond the waters, I larn that you are again in demand, I will forthwith return with a one thousand warriors to assistance you lot."

Hrothgar answered: "Because of you at that place will always be peace betwixt our people, the Geats and the Danes. Feuds and strife from the past are now behind the states."

Then the aged male monarch, unable to contain his grief at Beowulf's parting, gave the hero additional treasures. He was a male monarch blameless in every way until former historic period robbed him of his strength.

27

Equally the warriors approached the sea they were kindly greeted past the coastguardsman. They loaded their horses, armor, and treasures aboard their ship, and before departing Beowulf gave the guard an heirloom sword leap with gold.

They steered the ship into deep h2o, then hoisted a textile sail. The ship groaned, and the wind drove them across the waters, always on course, until at concluding they saw the familiar headlands and cliffs of their homeland. The harbor guard, who had long looked out to sea for his dear countrymen, moored their transport with ropes, securing it from the waves.

28-30

King Hygelac greeted the returning hero ceremoniously. Burning with curiosity about the latter's adventures, he asked: "How did you lot fare on your journey to assistance the Danes?"

"My battle with Grendel is already known to many," replied Beowulf. Then he recounted in particular his entire adventure: his arrival at Heorot, his hand-to-mitt fight with Grendel, his slaying of the monster's female parent at the lesser of the mere, and his reward of great treasures at the hand of King Hrothgar.

31

Beowulf concluded his account by praising the generosity of Rex Hrothgar. "He followed courtly custom," said the hero. "He withheld nil that was my due; and I wish now to give to you, my king, the nifty treasures that he gave me equally a reward."

Beowulf then had the artillery and treasures brought forth, and he told the story backside each heirloom.

King Hygelac responded by presenting to Beowulf Hrethel's sword, a famous heirloom. Furthermore, he gave him seven k hides of country and a hall. Then he named him prince and successor to his own throne.

At Hygelac's decease Beowulf became king. He ruled wisely for fifty winters, and then a reign of terror visited the land of the Geats.

Part Three: Beowulf and the Dragon

32

A keen treasure lay hidden in an upland barrow, merely all those who had buried information technology died before bequesting it to their surviving kin. Equally they are wont to exercise, a malicious dragon plant the hoard and causeless possession of it. For 3 hundred winters he jealously guarded the treasure.

And then one 24-hour interval a thief broke into the dragon's hoard and stole a aureate cup. He was not a willful thief, merely rather a delinquent slave who had escaped a barbarous master. Discovering the treasure by risk, the thief took a golden loving cup, hoping to pacify his master with it.

Discovering his loss, the flaming dragon emerged from his lair to seek revenge.

33

The monster spewed forth flames and destroyed many dwellings by burn, including Beowulf's dwelling house, the all-time of halls.

34-35

Once again facing a life-and-death conflict with a superhuman foe, Beowulf reminisced well-nigh the contests and victories of his earlier life. Ever mindful of a king's duty toward his people, he vowed: "In the days of my youth I ventured on many battles; and even at present will I, aged guardian of my people, challenge this destroyer, if he volition come forth from his den to meet me."

Beowulf advanced to the dragon's lair alone, trusting in his single strength. That is no coward'south way. With a clear voice he challenged the snake to appear. The evil animal'due south breath emerged from the rocks. The earth quaked, and the serpent appeared. The lord of the Geats swung his shield against the awful foe, then struck at him with his ancestral sword, but to no avail. The bract failed to penetrate.

This was to be no pleasant journey for Beowulf: he was now doomed to leave this earth forever confronting his will, the fate of all men.

Soon the 2 fighters confronted 1 another again. The serpent plucked up his courage and renewed his attack. Beowulf's companions had all fled into the woods to relieve their lives. Only 1 of them came to his lord's aid.

36

The lone dauntless companion was a beloved warrior named Wiglaf. Seeing his threatened lord, Wiglaf remembered the many benefits that Beowulf had given him in the past. He picked up his sword and shield and avant-garde through the deadly fumes to help his lord.

"Dearest Beowulf," he said, "in your youth you swore that you would not allow your fame decline equally long as you lived. You must now defend your life with all your might. I shall help you!"

Hearing these words, the dragon attacked a second time. The ophidian'southward flaming jiff burned Wiglaf'south shield to ashes, so the young warrior was forced to seek refuge behind his kinsman's shield. Beowulf, intent on glory, drove his sword Naegling into the dragon'southward head. So fierce was the blow that it shattered the blade. As I have heard, Beowulf'due south hand was so strong, that no sword could withstand his full strength.

The peppery dragon attacked a third time, seizing Beowulf by the cervix with his sharp teeth. The hero'south claret flowed forth in streams.

37

I have heard how Wiglaf showed unceasing courage and skill in the male monarch'south bully need. The young hero instead of attacking the dragon'due south caput aimed his sword blows a little lower, wounding the brute such that the burn began to wane.

Beowulf recovered somewhat, and drawing his short sword he cut the serpent in ii. Thus they struck downwards the foe. Together the two noble kinsmen destroyed him, simply this was the king'due south concluding hour of victory, his final worldly deed.

The wound that the dragon had given Beowulf began to burn and not bad. Knowing that his appointed days on earth were at present at an end, Beowulf spoke: "L winters take I ruled this people, during which time no neighboring king has dared to attack us. At domicile I have accepted my fate. I take sought no quarrels and accept sworn no simulated oaths. In all this I can take joy, although I now endure from fatal wounds."

Beowulf further asked Wiglaf to seek out the dragon's treasure and draw it to him, thus giving him comfort knowing almost this part of the legacy he was leaving to his country.

38

I have heard how Wiglaf descended into the barrow where he saw the slap-up hoard: jewels, gold, cups, vessels, and arm-rings. Filling his artillery with treasures, Wiglaf rushed back to his king. He institute him bleeding and near death.

Seeing the treasure, Beowulf spoke: "I give thank you that I was able to gain these precious things for my people before I died. I accept paid for this treasure hoard with my aged life. Y'all must now fulfill the needs of the people with it. I tin can no longer exist here. Subsequently my body has been burned have the warriors build a memorial mound for me on a coastal promontory. Seafarers will call information technology Beowulf's Mound."

The generous king and so gave the young warrior his golden cervix-piece, his helmet, his ring, and his coat of chainmail, then told him to enjoy them well.

"You are now the last of our kin," he said to Wiglaf. Fate has taken abroad all my kinsmen. I must follow them."

These were the old king's final words. His soul departed to seek the reward of the righteous.

39

It greatly grieved the young warrior to encounter his beloved ane lying lifeless on the ground. His slayer lay there as well, defeated and expressionless. No longer would this snake rule over treasure hoards. No more would he whirl through the air at midnight.

As I have heard, very few men in the world had ever withstood the venomous blasts from such a foe. Beowulf had won the dragon'due south hoard, but he had paid for his share of this wealth with his life. Non long after the cowards who had fled into the wood returned. X in number, they shamefully came to where the old man lay. They looked upon Wiglaf who was trying to revive his lord with water, but to no avail.

Wiglaf addressed the traitors: "You stand there wearing chainmail and conveying the finest arms, all given to y'all by our male monarch, simply in his hour of distress, you lot all abandoned him. Henceforth you shall all be deprived of the landowners' privileges formerly bestowed upon you."

40-41

Wiglaf ordered that the battle's outcome be announced in the stronghold. A band of mourners proceeded to the place where their beloved king had fallen. They first came upon the loathsome beast, all scorched with flames. He was fifty anxiety long. The animate being who had at nighttime frolicked through the air at present lay lifeless on the sand. Never once again would he return to his barrow. Nearby stood golden bowls, cups, dishes, and precious swords, rusty and decayed as if they had lain in the earth's bust for a thousand winters. A spell had been cast upon that vast hoard, the gold of men of former, that no one could enter the treasure-firm unless God himself so willed it.

42

Wiglaf summoned together seven of the male monarch's best thanes, himself the eighth, and together they entered the dragon's lair. They loaded gilt of every sort and beyond measure upon a wagon and carried it abroad with them. They pushed the dragon's body over the cliff into the sea and let the waves conduct information technology away.

The Geatish people prepared a magnificent pyre for their cracking male monarch. Mourning warriors laid their dearest lord in its midst, and then kindled the funeral fire. Forest smoke ascended, black above the flames. The roar of the burn mingled with the sound of weeping, until at terminal the trunk was consumed. Sky swallowed the smoke.

A Geatish woman sang a sorry complaining for Beowulf, expressing fear of evil days ahead.

The Geatish people made a mound upon the cliff. Information technology was high and broad, and could be seen from distant by seafaring men. They built a wall effectually the fire'south ashes, the famous Warrior'south Beacon. Within the mound they put the rings, jewels, and adornments that the warriors had taken from the hoard. Thus they returned the treasure to the earth, where it still remains, as useless to men now as it was in times of old.

Twelve warriors, sons of princes, rode about the mound, praising their hero's courage and his mighty deeds.

Thus the Geatish people mourned their fallen lord. They said that he was a mighty rex, the mildest and kindest of men, most kind to his people, and near desirous of praise.

Beowulf was composed by an unnamed English poet one-time between about 700 A.D. and 800 A.D. These dates, based on internal contextual and linguistic evidence, are not universally accepted by scholars. The subsequently date is based on the premise that the Viking raids on England get-go with the sacking of the monasteries at Lindisfarne and Jarrow in the 790s fabricated it unlikely that following these and subsequent attacks an English poet would create a work praising the virtues of Danes or other Northmen.
As known today, this poem survives in a single manuscript, written by 2 different scribes in about m A.D. This manuscript is housed in the British Library.
I take based this summary on the following translation: Beowulf, translated out of the Old English by Chauncey Brewster Tinker. Revised edition (New York: Newson and Visitor, 1912).
Link to a text of Beowulf in the original Old English: Beowulf, herausgegeben von Alfred Holder (Freiburg im Breisgau: Verlag von J. C. B. Mohr, 1899). This text was edited by a German scholar. Annotations are in German language, only the text is the original Old English.
Link to the Wikipedia commodity on Beowulf.
Link to Dragon Slayers: An Alphabetize Folio.
Render to the tabular array of contents.

Return to D. L. Ashliman'south folktexts , a library of folktales, folklore, fairy tales, and mythology.

Revised October 26, 2010.