What Was Grendel Intention When He Came Again Last Night

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Beowulf

a summary in English prose by

D. 50. Ashliman
© 2010

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Contents

• Prologue
• Part One: Beowulf and Grendel
• Role 2: Beowulf and Grendel's Mother
• Part Three: Beowulf and the Dragon

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

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Prologue

Heed! Nosotros have heard of the celebrity of the kings who ruled the Danes in olden times. Scyld Scefing often drove enemy warriors from their mead-hall benches, although he himself had once 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. Following his wishes, his trunk was placed on a well-outfitted ship, laden with treasures and weapons. Then his kinsmen let the sea conduct him away. No i on earth knows who received that ship'due south cargo.

Part Ane: Beowulf and Grendel

ane

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

I take heard tell how Hrothgar had a great mead-hall built. It was larger and grander than whatever such hall that anyone had ever heard of. He named the great hall Heorot. Here, with nifty anniversary, he dispensed lavish gifts to immature and old, thus giving cheers for his own victories and prosperity.

Not long afterwards the hall'south merriment was brought to an stop by a grim foe named Grendel, who haunted marshes and moors, fens and heath. This wretched being, along with monsters, elves, sea-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. Following an evening of mead drinking, the Danish warriors were fast asleep. Grendel seized xxx of them, then carried them back to his lair. At dawn the survivors discovered their great loss. They saw the monster's tracks leading abroad from Heorot, simply it was likewise late to salvage his victims.

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

Many of the grief-stricken Danes, seeing no other source of aid, returned to their old infidel faith. Woe unto him who thus rejects the Lord.

3

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

Beowulf had a ship 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 day the sailors defenseless 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 you, sailing your swell ship along the sea-paths? I am a member of the coastguard, charged with protecting the Danish land. Never have I seen a band of warriors try to land here more openly than you have washed. Who is your brave leader, and what is his lineage?"

4

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

The coastguardsman pointed the fashion to Heorot, and then returned to his post. 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 confronting the wall, they sat downward upon the benches [outside the hall].

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

Beowulf answered: "We are tabular array-companions of Hygelac. Beowulf is my name. I will reveal my errand to the son of Healfdene, your bang-up king, if y'all will take us to him."

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

6

Hrothgar spoke: "I knew Beowulf when he was a child. His begetter was chosen Ecgtheow, and he has come as a loyal friend. Moreover, seafarers have reported hither that Beowulf is potent in battle. The grip of his mitt is said to have the strength of thirty men. Bid him and his band of kinsmen welcome amid 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 lot are welcome here. You may come up inside to Hrothgar, wearing your armor and helmets, just go out your spears outside until after you have spoken." Beowulf approached Hrothgar, then spoke: "Hail to thee, Hrothgar! In my native land I learned of Grendel'due south deeds. Seafarers study that this great hall is useless for all men after nightfall. Knowing my great forcefulness, my people urged me to come up to your aid. They have seen me return from boxing stained with the blood of my foes. I have destroyed a race of giants and have slain sea-beasts by night. Now I take come to cleanse Heorot of the evil that has come upon it. Furthermore, I have learned that Grendel, the behemothic monster, has no fright of weapons, so I volition fight him with my bare easily, without sword or shield. If I fail, have no concern about my burial; Grendel will devour my corpse. Do, nonetheless, transport my chainmail dorsum to Hygelac. It is the best of armor, inherited from Hrethel [Beowulf's grandfather], and the 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 acquired. Many of my all-time warriors accept fallen victim to his horrid clutch. Often my warriors take boastfully vowed while drinking their ale to take vengeance, but the side by side morning the mead-hall has been stained with their blood. Bring together us now in a feast and share with my men how you programme to achieve victory."

In the mead-hall a bench was made set up for the Geats. Mead was served. A bard sang with a clear voice. The assembled warriors rejoiced, Geats and Danes akin.

eight

Nevertheless, 1 of the Danes, Unferth by name, was jealous of the attention given to Beowulf, and seeking to stir up a quarrel he spoke: "Are you the Beowulf who foolishly challenged Breca to a swimming contest, risking your lives in the deep h2o? No one could turn you away from the foolhardy venture, and the two of y'all swam out into the ocean. For seven nights the ii of you battled the waters, simply he had the greater strength, and he outlasted you lot. The waves collection him aground on the coast of Norway, and he was proclaimed the winner. I look even worse results for y'all with your competition against Grendel."

Beowulf answered: "Unferth, my friend, in your drunkenness y'all have said much virtually my take chances with Breca. Now I will tell the truth of what happened. When nosotros were still boys Breca and I had boasted that one twenty-four hours we would test our strength at bounding main; and we did as we had spoken in our youth. To defend ourselves against whales nosotros swam carrying naked swords in our hands. Neither of united states of america could gain an advantage over the other one, and thus we swam together for 5 nights, until finally the cold waves drove united states of america autonomously. The bounding main-fish grew angry, just my shirt of chainmail protected me. An evil monster dragged me to the bottom, simply I was able to stab the beast with the signal of my sword, and so dispatched him with my manus."

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Beowulf connected: "Other evil creatures attacked me, simply I killed them all with my sword. Never again would they hinder seafarers. With the morning light the waves were stilled. Destiny had not doomed me to die. Instead, I had slain nine sea monsters with my sword. I escaped from all these perils, and the electric current finally carried me to the land of the Finns. Unferth, I take never heard of such exploits on your part. No, neither y'all nor Breca has ever performed so goodly. If you were every bit trigger-happy in battle equally you claim to be, the heath monster Grendel would not have been then successful in his attacks against the Danish people. He kills and feasts without fear of the Danes, merely I will prove him the strength and courage of the Geats. Afterwards that whoever will may drink mead in this great hall without fear."

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

10

That nighttime Beowulf and his kinsmen-in-arms kept watch in the great 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 save one fell asleep. Beowulf waited and watched.

11

Grendel drew almost from the moorland below the misty hillsides. Heorot'southward door, although secured with fire-hardened bands, opened at his kickoff touch. In the hall he saw many sleeping warriors, and he laughed in his middle. Thinking to impale each one, he hoped for a bountiful feast. The mighty kinsman of Hygelac was watching to see how the foe would attack. Suddenly the monster seized a sleeping thane, tore him to pieces, and so drank his claret and devoured his corpse. He stepped nearer to Beowulf, clutching at him with his hook, simply the groovy warrior took concur of Grendel's arm with corking strength. Never before had this main of evil encountered such man strength. 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 boxing. It was a wonder that the edifice did not fall to the ground. As I have 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, only when they plunged into the fight they presently discovered that their blades were useless confronting this foul destroyer. By a spell Grendel had protected himself against all weapons. Merely nonetheless, this 24-hour interval he was doomed to die a wretched expiry. 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 earlier boast. The Danes' affliction was at present at an end. Rejoicing, the warrior threw down a token of his victory: the whole claw and arm of Grendel.

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As I have heard, warriors from near and far assembled at Heorot to behold the foe's tracks, which lead to the Mere of H2o Demons. Its waters were seething with blood, and its waves were mingled with gore. In that location in the depths he gave up his heathen soul to Hel [Loki'southward daughter, and the ruler of the realm of the dead].

With rejoicing the warrior returned to Heorot and to a great celebration. One of the king's thanes who knew old tales without number, cleverly composed a new story, a truthful tale, narrating Beowulf's gamble.

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 nix, save Fitala [Sinfiötli], his nephew and comrade. Sigemund's great fame carried forth beyond his death, for he had slain the dragon who kept guard over the treasure. In his daring exploits he was past far the nearly famed of adventurers amidst the nations.

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

Then Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke, recounting the details of his battle with Grendel. Unferth, likewise, was present, but he made no more exhibitionistic speeches, at present having seen the monster'due south dismembered hand with its steel-like claws.

15

Strait abroad Heorot was adorned for a great banquet. A large crowd gathered there in commemoration. There the son of Healfdene gave to Beowulf many lavish gifts, including a golden ensign, a helmet, a coat of chainmail, a mighty sword, and eight horses with golden bridles.

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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 king's bard presented the ofttimes-sung Lay of Male monarch Finn.

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After the gleeman had finished singing Wealhtheow [Hrothgar's wife] came forth. She presented her king with a gilt loving cup, saying: "Be gracious toward the Geats and mindful of gifts. Be generous while you lot may."

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Thereupon many additional precious gifts were brought to Beowulf, including two armlets, rings, armor, and the greatest neckband that I have ever heard tell of since Hama carried away the necklace of the Brisings.

"Receive this neckband with joy, and prosper well, honey Beowulf," said Wealhtheow.

The celebration then continued with food and wine. When evening barbarous Hrothgar returned to his lodgings. The guards, as they had often washed before, cleared the benches and covered them with bedding and pillows. Doomed to decease, ane of the revelers laid himself down to rest with his comrades.

Part Ii: Grendel'south Mother

nineteen

They fell asleep, but ane paid dearly for his residue. Although the old foe was dead, in that location lived an avenger: Grendel's mother. This woman-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 adamant to seek revenge for the death of her son. Hastily she clutched i of the heroes in his sleep, a favorite thane of Hrothgar. And then retrieving Grendel's arm she retreated to her lair.

Beowulf was not there, for he had been given another lodging place. Awakened, the warriors in the hall sounded the alarm.

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Hrothgar mourned the murder of Æschere, his thane. He sensed who had done the evil deed, for he had heard from people dwelling in the countryside of ii night-stalkers of the marshes and moors, one like unto a woman, the other in the paradigm of a miscreated human. They were said to dwell amidst the wolf-haunted slopes, roughshod fen-paths, and air current-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 night-time can exist seen a dreadful wonder: fire on the flood. No man knows its depth.

He addressed Beowulf: "Once again help rests with you alone. Seek out this savage and cheerless spot, if yous cartel. I will reward you with neat treasure, as I did earlier, if you succeed in getting there alive."

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Beowulf replied: "Sorrow not. It is better for a man to avenge his friend than to mourn exceedingly. Each of us will i solar day reach the end of worldly life. Therefore let him who may, win glory earlier he dies. That is a warrior's greatest benefaction at life's end. At present permit us follow the tracks of Grendel's mother. I promise you, she shall not escape."

The one-time man jumped up, thanking God for Beowulf's words. Accompanied by a troop of warriors they followed the foe's tracks over steep and rocky slopes, over sheer cliffs, and by many a sea-monster's haunt. All of a sudden 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 sabbatum down. They saw serpents and dragons swimming in the water and sea-monsters lying along the headland-slopes. They sounded the battle horn, and the creatures sped away, but non earlier Beowulf killed one of them with his bow and arrow.

And so Beowulf, taking no idea for his own life, put on his armor of chainmail and his helmet, fitted with boar figures and then that no sword could bite it. He picked upwards the sword, Hrunting by proper noun, that Unferth had lent him. One of the greatest amongst ancient treasures, its iron bract was stained with poison and hardened with the blood of battle.

22

Taking get out of Hrothgar, Beowulf set up along into the mere. It took the improve part of a solar day before he sighted the lesser.

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 damage, only she did drag him into her dwelling. The hero saw that he was in a hall where the h2o could do him no harm. He attacked the mighty mere-woman, the she-wolf of the deep, with his sword, but he institute that he could not wound her with it. Throwing the famous sword to the ground, he over again trusted in his forcefulness. He seized Grendel's mother by the shoulder and threw her to the floor. She fought back fiercely, causing him to stumble and fall. She saturday on him and stabbed at him with her dagger, but 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 it was a sword for giants, likewise heavy for any human being to carry into battle. Nonetheless, the not bad 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 virtually. He saw Grendel's torso. As a last human activity 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 day the Danes returned to their homes, but the Geats, Beowulf'south comrades-in-artillery, remained in that location sick at heart.

Meanwhile the sword in Beowulf'southward hand began to waste away. Drenched in blood, it melted away like an icicle at winter's end. Beowulf saw corking treasures there in the hall, simply all that he took away was Grendel'southward 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 prophylactic and sound. They returned to Heorot, begetting Grendel'southward head upon a spear.

24

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

With these words Beowulf presented to Rex Hrothgar the hilt, the ancient work of giants, created before the flood destroyed the behemothic race. Its guard was of shining gold, graven correctly with runic letters and brightly adorned with snakes.

25

Male monarch Hrothgar spoke: "Dear Beowulf, best of men, go along yourself from arrogance and green-eyed. Yous are now at the superlative of your power, but with age your strength will wane, and with fourth dimension death volition overcome you."

The side by side morning Beowulf appear his desire to return to his ain homeland. With kind thanks he returned the sword Hrunting to Unferth, generously praising the ancient weapon. He was a man of noble spirit!

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Beowulf spoke to King Hrothgar: "Nosotros seafarers at present render to our Male monarch Hygelac. You have been good to u.s.. If, beyond the waters, I learn that you are again in need, I volition forthwith return with a grand warriors to assist you lot."

Hrothgar answered: "Because of you in that location volition ever be peace between our people, the Geats and the Danes. Feuds and strife from the past are at present backside us."

And then the anile king, unable to comprise his grief at Beowulf'due south departing, gave the hero additional treasures. He was a king blameless in every way until sometime historic period robbed him of his strength.

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As the warriors approached the ocean they were kindly greeted by the coastguardsman. They loaded their horses, armor, and treasures aboard their ship, and before parting Beowulf gave the baby-sit an heirloom sword bound with gold.

They steered the send into deep h2o, then hoisted a cloth sail. The ship groaned, and the wind drove them beyond the waters, e'er 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 beloved countrymen, moored their ship with ropes, securing it from the waves.

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Rex Hygelac greeted the returning hero ceremoniously. Called-for with curiosity virtually the latter's adventures, he asked: "How did you fare on your journey to help 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 manus-to-hand fight with Grendel, his slaying of the monster's female parent at the bottom of the mere, and his reward of bang-up treasures at the hand of Rex Hrothgar.

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Beowulf concluded his account by praising the generosity of King Hrothgar. "He followed courtly custom," said the hero. "He withheld aught that was my due; and I wish now to give to you, my rex, the corking treasures that he gave me as a advantage."

Beowulf then had the arms and treasures brought forth, and he told the story behind each heirloom.

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

At Hygelac'due south death Beowulf became king. He ruled wisely for l winters, and then a reign of terror visited the land of the Geats.

Part 3: Beowulf and the Dragon

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A great treasure lay subconscious in an upland barrow, but all those who had buried information technology died before bequesting it to their surviving kin. As they are wont to do, a malicious dragon establish the hoard and assumed possession of information technology. For three hundred winters he jealously guarded the treasure.

And so one day a thief broke into the dragon'due south hoard and stole a golden cup. He was non a willful thief, but rather a runaway slave who had escaped a roughshod master. Discovering the treasure past run a risk, the thief took a gilt cup, hoping to pacify his master with it.

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

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The monster spewed forth flames and destroyed many dwellings by fire, including Beowulf's home, the best of halls.

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Once again facing a life-and-death conflict with a superhuman foe, Beowulf reminisced about 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 now will I, aged guardian of my people, challenge this destroyer, if he will come along from his den to meet me."

Beowulf advanced to the dragon's lair alone, trusting in his single forcefulness. That is no coward'due south style. With a clear vox he challenged the serpent to appear. The evil animate being's breath emerged from the rocks. The world quaked, and the serpent appeared. The lord of the Geats swung his shield against the atrocious foe, so struck at him with his ancestral sword, just to no avail. The blade failed to penetrate.

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

Before long the ii fighters confronted ane another over again. The serpent plucked upwardly his courage and renewed his set on. Beowulf's companions had all fled into the wood to save their lives. Only one of them came to his lord's assistance.

36

The lone brave companion was a beloved warrior named Wiglaf. Seeing his threatened lord, Wiglaf remembered the many benefits that Beowulf had given him in the by. He picked upwards his sword and shield and advanced through the mortiferous fumes to help his lord.

"Beloved Beowulf," he said, "in your youth yous swore that yous would non let your fame decline as 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 snake's flaming breath burned Wiglaf'southward shield to ashes, and so the young warrior was forced to seek refuge backside his kinsman'southward shield. Beowulf, intent on glory, collection his sword Naegling into the dragon's caput. So violent was the accident that it shattered the blade. Every bit I have heard, Beowulf's hand was and so strong, that no sword could withstand his full strength.

The fiery dragon attacked a tertiary time, seizing Beowulf by the neck with his precipitous teeth. The hero'south blood flowed along in streams.

37

I take heard how Wiglaf showed unceasing courage and skill in the male monarch's great demand. The young hero instead of attacking the dragon's head aimed his sword blows a little lower, wounding the animal such that the fire began to wane.

Beowulf recovered somewhat, and cartoon his short sword he cut the serpent in two. Thus they struck down the foe. Together the ii noble kinsmen destroyed him, only this was the rex's last hr of victory, his final worldly human action.

The wound that the dragon had given Beowulf began to burn and dandy. Knowing that his appointed days on earth were now at an end, Beowulf spoke: "L winters have I ruled this people, during which time no neighboring king has dared to attack u.s.. At home I have accustomed my fate. I have sought no quarrels and have sworn no imitation oaths. In all this I can take joy, although I now endure from fatal wounds."

Beowulf further asked Wiglaf to seek out the dragon'due south treasure and describe it to him, thus giving him comfort knowing about this role of the legacy he was leaving to his state.

38

I have heard how Wiglaf descended into the barrow where he saw the great hoard: jewels, gold, cups, vessels, and arm-rings. Filling his arms with treasures, Wiglaf rushed back to his king. He found him bleeding and virtually decease.

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

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

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

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

39

Information technology greatly grieved the young warrior to see his dear one lying lifeless on the footing. His slayer lay at that place too, defeated and dead. No longer would this serpent dominion over treasure hoards. No more would he whirl through the air at midnight.

Equally I have heard, very few men in the world had always withstood the venomous blasts from such a foe. Beowulf had won the dragon's hoard, merely he had paid for his share of this wealth with his life. Not long subsequently the cowards who had fled into the wood returned. Ten in number, they shamefully came to where the sometime 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 in that location wearing chainmail and carrying the finest artillery, all given to you lot by our king, but in his hour of distress, you all abandoned him. Henceforth you lot shall all be deprived of the landowners' privileges formerly bestowed upon you."

twoscore-41

Wiglaf ordered that the battle's result be announced in the stronghold. A band of mourners proceeded to the identify where their beloved king had fallen. They first came upon the loathsome beast, all scorched with flames. He was fifty feet long. The creature 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 globe'due south bosom for a thousand winters. A spell had been cast upon that vast hoard, the aureate of men of erstwhile, that no ane could enter the treasure-house unless God himself and then willed information technology.

42

Wiglaf summoned together vii of the king's best thanes, himself the eighth, and together they entered the dragon's lair. They loaded gilt of every sort and across measure upon a carriage and carried it away with them. They pushed the dragon'southward body over the cliff into the sea and let the waves carry it abroad.

The Geatish people prepared a magnificent pyre for their not bad king. Mourning warriors laid their honey lord in its midst, then kindled the funeral fire. Forest fume ascended, black above the flames. The roar of the burn down mingled with the sound of weeping, until at last the torso was consumed. Heaven swallowed the fume.

A Geatish woman sang a sad lament for Beowulf, expressing fearfulness of evil days ahead.

The Geatish people fabricated a mound upon the cliff. Information technology was loftier and broad, and could be seen from afar by seafaring men. They built a wall around the fire'south ashes, the famous Warrior's 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 all the same remains, as useless to men now as information technology was in times of old.

Twelve warriors, sons of princes, rode near 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 king, the mildest and kindest of men, nigh kind to his people, and nigh desirous of praise.

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• Beowulf was equanimous by an unnamed English poet old 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 later date is based on the premise that the Viking raids on England beginning with the sacking of the monasteries at Lindisfarne and Jarrow in the 790s made 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 unmarried manuscript, written by two unlike scribes in nearly 1000 A.D. This manuscript is housed in the British Library.
• I take based this summary on the post-obit 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 language: Beowulf, herausgegeben von Alfred Holder (Freiburg im Breisgau: Verlag von J. C. B. Mohr, 1899). This text was edited past a German scholar. Annotations are in German, but the text is the original Old English language.
• Link to the Wikipedia article on Beowulf.
• Link to Dragon Slayers: An Index Page.
• Return to the table of contents.

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Return to D. 50. Ashliman's folktexts , a library of folktales, folklore, fairy tales, and mythology.

Revised Oct 26, 2010.

newellyournized41.blogspot.com

Source: https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/beowulf.html

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