left the wood, the craven traitors, ten of them together, who before dared not to fight with javelins in their lord's great need. But shamefaced they bore their shields, their war-weeds, to where the aged warrior lay dead. They looked at Wiglaf. The warrior sat wearied, at his lord's shoulder, trying to revive him with water. He had no success. He could not keep on earth, though he wished it well, life in the chieftain, or alter aught of God's will. The judgment of God must prevail over every man in his deeds, as it even now does.

Then it was easy to get an angry answer from the youth for them that before had lost their courage. Wiglaf spoke, Wihstan's son, sad at heart as he looked on men he no longer loved: "Lo, well may he say who will speak the truth that the lord who gave you those priceless things, your war-trappings that you stand in there-as he often gave helmet and byrnie to those sitting on ale-benches in the hall, the prince to his thanes, the finest he could find anywhere far or near -that grievously he threw those warweeds completely away [as was evident] when war came upon him. The folk-king had no cause to boast of his comrades in battle. Yet God, the Ruler of Victories, granted him that he avenged himself alone with the sword, when he had need of strength. I was able to give him a little protection in the fight, and began, however beyond my power, to help my kinsman. When I struck the deadly foe with my sword he was ever the weaker— the fire surged less strongly from his head. Defenders too few thronged around their lord when his hour came. Now shall the receiving of treasure and giving of swords cease, all comfort and joy of inheritance to your kin. Every man of your kindred must wander, stripped of his land-right, when athelings from afar learn of your flight, your in

glorious deed. Death is better to every man than a life of disgrace!"

XL

A MESSENGER TAKES WORD TO THE GEATS OF BEOWULF'S DEATH

He bade, then, convey news of the fight to the enclosure up over the sea-cliff, where the warrior band all day long had sat sorrowful, the warriors, awaiting either the death or the return of their beloved one. Little was he who rode up the headland silent about the startling message, but truly he said in the presWeder-folk, Lord of the Geats, fast on his ence of all: "Now is the King of the death-bed, occupies the bed of slaughter through the deeds of the serpent. Beside him lies the deadly foe, sick from knifewounds; with a sword he could in no wise wound the demon. Wiglaf, Wihstan's son, sits over Beowulf, one earl over the other who lies lifeless, keeps watch in sorrow of soul over friend and foe.

Now the people may expect a time of war when once the King's death becomes widely known to the Franks and Frisians. The stern strife with the Hugas was begun when Hygelac came faring to the Frisians' land with a seaforce where the Hetwaras attacked him in battle, quickly brought it about by their greater strength that the armed warrior should fall, should die among his band. No treasures did the leader give to his host. Ever afterwards the favor of the Merovingian was denied us.

Nor do I at all expect peace or good faith from the Swede-folk, for it was widely known that Ongentheow deprived of life Hæthcyn, Hrethel's son, beside Ravenswood,-when in their overweening pride the Geat-folk first sought the War-Scylfings. Soon the wise father of Ohthere, old and terrible, struck a blow in return, cut down the sea-king, rescued his wife -the old man saved the aged woman-stripped of her gold, Onela's mother and Ohthere's. And then he pursued his mortal foes until with difficulty they escaped to Ravenswood, lordless. With a mighty force he besieged the survivors,

worn out by their wounds; he often vowed woe to the wretched band the whole night long, said that in the morning he would kill some with the sword's edge, others on the gallows-tree, to be a delight to the birds. With the dawn consolation came again to the down-hearted when they heard Hygelac's horn and trumpet, the sound, as the good king came following in their tracks with a host of his people.

XLI

THE MESSENGER'S SPEECH CONTINUED

The bloody path of Swedes and Geats, the deadly conflict of men, was visible far and wide, how the peoples stirred up strife among them. Then the good king, old and very sad went with his kinsmen to seek his stronghold, the earl Ongentheow went farther up. He had heard of Hygelac's valor, the proud warrior's war might. He had no faith in resistance, that he could defend against the seamen,-protect from the ocean-farers,-his hoard, his children, and his wife. An old man, he fled back thence within the earth-wall. Then was chase given to the Swedefolk; Hygelac's banners passed over the field of refuge, when the Hrethlings' pressed forward to the enclosure. There the gray-haired Ongentheow was brought to bay by the sword's edge so that the people's king must submit to the single decree of Eofor. Wrathfully Wulf Wonreding struck him with a weapon, so that from the stroke blood gushed forth in streams from under his hair. Nevertheless he was not afraid, the aged Scylfing, but quickly repaid the murderous blow with a worse exchange after the people's king had turned towards him. Nor might the swift son of Wonred give the old man a return blow, for he had split the helmet on his head, so that, stained with blood, he must sink and fall to the ground. Still he was not doomed to die; he recovered, though his wounds hurt him. The bold thane of Hygelac, when his brother lay wounded, caused his broad sword, an old giant blade, to break giant helmet over the shield-wall. Then the king fell, the people's shepherd; he was struck to his soul. Then were there many who bound up his kinsman, quickly raised him up when it was granted to them that they might rule over the place of slaughter. Meanwhile one warrior plundered the other, took from Ongentheow his iron byrnie, his hard hilted sword, and his helmet with them. He carried the old man's trappings to Hygelac. The king received the ornaments and fittingly promised him reward among the people: and so he performed. The King of the Geats, Hrethel's son, when he got home, requited Eofor and Wulf with rich treasures for the storm 1 Geats

of battle, gave each of them a hundred thousand of land and twisted rings-nor durst any one on earth reproach him for the reward after they had achieved glory. And also he gave his only daughter to Eofor as an adornment to his home and a pledge of friendship.

That is the feud and the enmity, the deadly hatred of men, as I foresee, that the Swede-folk will visit upon us when they hear that our lord is dead, who, after the death of heroes, had defended hoard and realm, the valiant SeaGeats against their foes, did what was good for his people and still further performed noble deeds.

Now it is best that we go quickly to look upon the king there and bear him, who gave us rings, to the funeral pyre. Nor shall one piece only melt with the hero, but there is a store of treasures, gold untold, terribly purchased, and rings now at the last bought with his own life. All these shall the flames consume, the fire enfold. No earl shall carry a treasure for remembrance, nor beautiful woman have a necklace on her neck, but, sorrowful of heart, bereft of gold, shall he wander in strange lands, not once but often, now that the leader in war has laid aside laughter, joy and mirth. Henceforth many a cold morning shall spear be clutched in the grasp, raised with the hand; no sound of harp shall raise the warriors, but the black raven, eager for the dead, shall speak much, shall tell the eagle how he fared at the feast when with the wolf he ravaged the slain. So the hardy warrior told the grievous tale. He little lied in facts or words. The company all arose, went sadly, with tears flowing, beneath the Eagles' Cliff to gaze on the marvel. There on the sand, occupying his bed of rest, they found him lifeless who at earlier times had given them rings. There his last day had come to the good man when the war

The unit is not mentioned.

king, Lord of the Weders, died an uncommon death. First they saw there a stranger thing, the loathed serpent lying opposite him on the ground. The fire dragon, terrible in its frightful colors, was scorched by the flames. It was fifty feet long as it lay there. At night it had had joy of the air, and come back again to visit its den. Now it was fast in death, had had its last delight of earth-caves. By it stood bowls and cups; dishes and precious swords lay there rusty and eaten through, for they had been in the earth's embrace a thousand winters. Moreover, that mighty heritage, the gold of men of old, was bound by a charm that no man could touch the ring-hall unless God himself, true King of Victories, permitted him whom He would he is the protector of men-to open the hoard, even such a man as seemed to him meet.

XLII

WIGLAF SPEAKS. THEY PLUNDER THE
HOARD AND PUSH THE DRAGON
INTO THE SEA

1

Then it was evident that his action did not prosper him who against right kept the jewels secretly within under the rock. The guard had slain a few; then the feud was bitterly avenged. It is a mystery where the brave man shall meet the end of his life, when he may no longer dwell in the mead-house with his kinsmen. So it was with Beowulf when he sought the guardian of the mound and the contest. He himself did not know through what his parting from the world should be. The famous princes who put the treasure there had laid a curse on it until doomsday so that the warrior who should plunder the place should be guilty of sin, confined in

1 An exaggeration. Beowulf only is meant.

heathen temples, bound with Hell-bonds, grievously punished. He was not goldgreedy; he had before more certainly known the favor of possession.

Wiglaf spoke, Wihstan's son: "Oft shall many a man, for the sake of one, suffer grief as has happened to us. Nor could we persuade our beloved Lord, guardian of the realm, that he should not attack the warden of the gold but should let him lie where he had long been, live in his dwelling place until the world's end, keep his destined lot. The hoard is seen, cruelly won. Fate was too strong that drove the man hither. I was in there and surveyed it all, the treasures of the chamber, when I was permitted. Not through friendly means was the entrance granted, in under the rock. Hastily I seized with my hands a mighty burden of treasures, bore it out hither to my king. He was still alive then, wise and fully conscious. Sorrowfully the aged man said many things, and bade me greet you, sent word that ye should build, on account of your friend's deeds, a high mound where the funeral pyre shall stand, great and glorious, as he was the worthiest warrior of men far and wide throughout the earth while he might enjoy the wealth of his town. Let us now hasten a second time to see and seek the multitude of precious jewels, the marvel beneath the rock. I will show you, so that at close view you may look upon the many rings and the broad gold. Let the bier be speedily prepared when we come out, and then let us bear our lord, beloved man, to where he shall long remain in the Ruler's keeping."

Then the son of Wihstan, the warrior brave in battle, bade many men, owners of houses, folk leaders, that they should carry wood for the funeral pyre from afar to where the good king lay: "Now shall the fire consume (the smoky flame shall grow) the chief of warriors, him

who oft went through the shower of iron when the storm of arrows, driven by bow strings, sped over the shield wall, when the shaft, equipped with feather gear, did its duty, urged forth its barb."

Thereupon the wise son of Wihstan called forth from the host seven thanes of the king, and these the best, himself went as one of eight warriors under the baleful roof. One bore in his hand a torch, who went at the head. It was not by lot, who should plunder the hoard, when the warriors saw any part remaining in the hall, lying unwatched and perishing. Little did any man regret that they should speedily carry out the precious treasures. The dragon, moreover, they pushed over the cliff, let the wave take the serpent, the sea enfold the warden of the jewels. Then was the twisted gold, of every kind beyond measure, loaded on the wagon, and the warrior, hoar hero, was borne to Hronesness.

XLIII

THE WARRIORS' LAST TRIBUTE TO BEOWULF

Then the Geatsfolk prepared for him a splendid funeral pile on the ground, hung with helmets, with shields and bright byrnies, as he had asked. Lamenting, the warriors laid in the midst of it the glorious king, their dear lord. Then the warsmen began to kindle on the mound the greatest of pyres. The smoke rose black above the flame, the roaring fire mingled with lamentation-the tumult of winds

subsided-until, hot at his breast, it had crumbled the house of bones. Downcast in heart, they gave voice to their sorrow, bemoaned their lord's death. Likewise an aged woman1 with hair bound up, sorrowing for Beowulf, sang a song of lament, uttered over and over her sore dread of the evil day to come, the much slaughter, the warrior's terror, shame and captivity. Heaven swallowed the smoke.

Then on the cliff the Weder-folk built a mound, high and broad, visible from afar to seafarers, and completed in ten. days the hero's beacon, built a wali around the ashes, as worthily as men of most skill could devise. In the mound they placed rings and jewels, all such trappings as hostile men had taken from the hoard. They let the earth keep the treasures of earls, gold in the ground, where it even now remains as useless to men as it was before. Then around the barrow rode the battle-brave sons of athelings, twelve in all, who were moved to voice their grief and bemoan their king, to chant an elegy and speak about the man. They praised his courage and his deeds of valor-valued him highlyas it is fitting that one should praise with words his lord, heartily love him, when he shall be led forth from his body.

So the Geat-folk, his hearth companions, sorrowed for their lord's death, said that he was the mildest of men and of kings the kindest, gentlest to his people and most eager to deserve fame.

1 Some interpret this as widow, but whether Beowulf's widow is meant seems doubtful.