Why Does Beowulf Again Recount the Glory of Day’s Past Before Taking on a Battle With the Dragon
Beowulf
a summary in English prose by
D. L. Ashliman
© 2010
Contents
- Prologue
- Part 1: Beowulf and Grendel
- Function 2: Beowulf and Grendel's Mother
- Part Three: Beowulf and the Dragon
Render to D. L. Ashliman'due south folktexts , a library of folktales, folklore, fairy tales, and mythology.
Prologue
Listen! We have heard of the glory of the kings who ruled the Danes in olden times. Scyld Scefing frequently collection 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 blighted time. Following his wishes, his torso was placed on a well-outfitted ship, laden with treasures and weapons. Then his kinsmen let the sea bear him abroad. No one on globe knows who received that send'south cargo.
Part One: Beowulf and Grendel
1
Following Scyld'due south death the kingship of the Danes passed to Scyld's son Beowulf [not the hero of this epic], then in plow to his son Healfdene, and then 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 any such hall that anyone had ever heard of. He named the cracking hall Heorot. Here, with corking ceremony, he dispensed lavish gifts to young and old, thus giving thanks for his own victories and prosperity.
Not long after the hall's merriment was brought to an end by a grim foe named Grendel, who haunted marshes and moors, fens and heath. This wretched existence, along with monsters, elves, ocean-beasts, and giants, was a descendent of Cain, whom the Lord had banished from mankind for the slaying of Abel.
2
Grendel attacked during the night. Following an evening of mead drinking, the Danish warriors were fast comatose. Grendel seized thirty of them, so carried them back to his lair. At dawn the survivors discovered their great loss. They saw the monster's tracks leading abroad from Heorot, but information technology was too tardily to save his victims.These loathsome attacks connected for twelve winters. Nighttime after night 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 help, returned to their old heathen faith. Woe unto him who thus rejects the Lord.
iii
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 decision. He was a proven hero.Beowulf had a ship outfitted for the journey, then chose fifteen warriors to accompany him. A skilled mariner pointed out the landmarks to them.
Driven past the wind, the ship sped beyond the waves. On the second day the sailors defenseless sight of gleaming cliffs and broad headlands. They went ashore 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 yous, sailing your great ship along the ocean-paths? I am a member of the coastguard, charged with protecting the Danish state. Never have I seen a ring of warriors try to country hither more openly than yous take done. Who is your brave leader, and what is his lineage?"
4
Beowulf answered: "We are of the Geatish kin, Hygelac'southward hearth-companions. I am the son of a noble prince named Ecgtheow. We accept come to serve the mighty lord of the Danes. We accept heard that some secret destroyer causes nifty terror amongst the Scyldings on dark nights. I intend to help Hrothgar overcome this foe."The coastguardsman pointed the manner to Heorot, then returned to his mail service. Beowulf and his men hurried onward. The boar-images glistened to a higher place 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 downward upon the benches [outside the hall].A warrior asked the heroes about their lineage: "Where have you lot come from, with your shields, war-shirts, visored helmets, and spears. I am Hrothgar'southward servant and herald. Never before have I seen such a band of strangers in such a courageous mood."
Beowulf answered: "We are table-companions of Hygelac. Beowulf is my name. I will reveal my errand to the son of Healfdene, your great king, if you will accept us to him."
Wulfgar (that was the herald's name) quickly went to Hrothgar, now one-time and white-haired. Wulfgar spoke: "Geatish warriors have arrived here from across the sea. They phone call their chieftain Beowulf. They accept requested to speak with you."
6
Hrothgar spoke: "I knew Beowulf when he was a kid. His father was called Ecgtheow, and he has come as a loyal friend. Moreover, seafarers have reported hither that Beowulf is strong in boxing. The grip of his hand is said to accept the strength of 30 men. Bid him and his band of kinsmen welcome among the Danish people.Wulfgar came to the door of the hall and appear from within: "My victorious lord bids me say that he knows your noble lineage. Y'all are welcome here. You may come inside to Hrothgar, wearing your armor and helmets, but leave your spears outside until afterward you have spoken." Beowulf approached Hrothgar, then spoke: "Hail to thee, Hrothgar! In my native land I learned of Grendel's deeds. Seafarers written report that this great hall is useless for all men after nightfall. Knowing my great strength, my people urged me to come up to your help. They have seen me return from battle stained with the claret of my foes. I have destroyed a race of giants and have slain ocean-beasts past night. Now I have come up to cleanse Heorot of the evil that has come upon it. Furthermore, I have learned that Grendel, the giant monster, has no fright of weapons, so I will fight him with my bare hands, without sword or shield. If I fail, have no business organisation about my burial; Grendel will devour my corpse. Do, withal, send my chainmail back 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: "We give thanks you lot for coming to our defense. It is with sorrow that I tell what shame and grief Grendel has caused. Many of my best warriors have fallen victim to his horrid clutch. Oft my warriors have boastfully vowed while drinking their ale to take vengeance, merely the next morning the mead-hall has been stained with their claret. Join us now in a feast and share with my men how you plan to achieve victory."In the mead-hall a bench was made ready for the Geats. Mead was served. A bard sang with a clear voice. The assembled warriors rejoiced, Geats and Danes alike.
8
Nonetheless, one of the Danes, Unferth by name, was jealous of the attending given to Beowulf, and seeking to stir up a quarrel he spoke: "Are you the Beowulf who foolishly challenged Breca to a swimming competition, risking your lives in the deep water? No one could plough you away from the foolhardy venture, and the 2 of you lot swam out into the sea. For vii nights the ii of you battled the waters, but he had the greater strength, and he outlasted you lot. The waves drove him ashore on the coast of Kingdom of norway, and he was proclaimed the winner. I expect even worse results for you with your contest against Grendel."Beowulf answered: "Unferth, my friend, in your drunkenness you take said much well-nigh my adventure with Breca. Now I volition tell the truth of what happened. When we were still boys Breca and I had boasted that one solar day nosotros would exam our force at sea; and we did equally we had spoken in our youth. To defend ourselves against whales we swam conveying naked swords in our hands. Neither of us could gain an advantage over the other one, and thus we swam together for five nights, until finally the common cold waves collection us autonomously. The sea-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 brute with the indicate of my sword, and and so dispatched him with my hand."
nine
Beowulf continued: "Other evil creatures attacked me, but I killed them all with my sword. Never once more would they hinder seafarers. With the morning light the waves were stilled. Destiny had not doomed me to die. Instead, I had slain nine body of water monsters with my sword. I escaped from all these perils, and the current finally carried me to the land of the Finns. Unferth, I have never heard of such exploits on your function. No, neither you nor Breca has always performed so goodly. If you were every bit fierce in battle equally you claim to be, the heath monster Grendel would non accept been then successful in his attacks confronting the Danish people. He kills and feasts without fear of the Danes, merely I will show him the strength and courage of the Geats. Later on that whoever will may potable mead in this great hall without fear."The gray-haired king rejoiced in these words; he trusted in Beowulf for assist. Laughter and joyous words rang throughout the hall.
10
That nighttime Beowulf and his kinsmen-in-arms kept picket in the dandy hall. Trusting in his own strength and in the Lord'south favor, he took off his chainmail and helmet, and gave his sword to a thane for safekeeping. All the watchmen relieve one fell asleep. Beowulf waited and watched.11
Grendel drew nearly from the moorland beneath the misty hillsides. Heorot's door, although secured with fire-hardened bands, opened at his first touch. In the hall he saw many sleeping warriors, and he laughed in his heart. Thinking to kill each one, he hoped for a bountiful feast. The mighty kinsman of Hygelac was watching to see how the foe would set on. Suddenly the monster seized a sleeping thane, tore him to pieces, then drank his claret and devoured his corpse. He stepped nearer to Beowulf, clutching at him with his claw, but the great warrior took hold of Grendel'southward arm with great strength. Never before had this master of evil encountered such human strength. He tried to abscond into the darkness, simply he could not pause Beowulf's powerful grip. Grendel'southward fingers finally burst and bled. The two opponents wrestled madly. The hall echoed with the sound of their boxing. It was a wonder that the building did not autumn to the ground. As I have heard men tell, their struggles tore many a mead-bench from its base.12
Beowulf'due south warriors drew their swords, hoping to protect the life of their lord, just when they plunged into the fight they presently discovered that their blades were useless against this foul destroyer. Past a spell Grendel had protected himself against all weapons. But notwithstanding, this day he was doomed to dice 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 now come.The lord of the Geats had made 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.
13
As I take 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. There in the depths he gave upwardly his infidel 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. 1 of the king'south thanes who knew old tales without number, cleverly equanimous a new story, a truthful tale, narrating Beowulf'due south risk.
He likewise told everything that he had heard of the mighty Sigemund, the son of Wælsing [Volsung], including exploits of which the son of men knew nothing, 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 most 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 man has accomplished that which nosotros ourselves were unable to do. Praise be to the woman who gave birth to this man. Beowulf, henceforth I shall love you like a son."And then Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke, recounting the details of his battle with Grendel. Unferth, as well, was present, but he made no more than boastful speeches, at present having seen the monster's dismembered hand with its steel-similar claws.
xv
Strait abroad Heorot was adorned for a peachy feast. A large crowd gathered there in celebration. 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 viii horses with golden bridles.16
Moreover, Hrothgar bestowed precious heirlooms upon each human who had crossed the ocean with Beowulf. The celebration continued with singing and music. The harp was struck, and the king's bard presented the oft-sung Lay of Rex Finn.17
Later on the gleeman had finished singing Wealhtheow [Hrothgar's wife] came along. She presented her rex with a golden cup, proverb: "Be gracious toward the Geats and mindful of gifts. Exist generous while you may."18
Thereupon many boosted precious gifts were brought to Beowulf, including ii armlets, rings, armor, and the greatest collar that I take ever 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 commemoration then continued with food and vino. When evening roughshod Hrothgar returned to his lodgings. The guards, as they had often done earlier, cleared the benches and covered them with bedding and pillows. Doomed to death, ane of the revelers laid himself downwardly to rest with his comrades.
Part Two: Grendel's Mother
19
They fell asleep, but one paid dearly for his rest. Although the old foe was expressionless, there lived an avenger: Grendel's female parent. This woman-monster brooded over her woes. A descendant of Cain, she likewise lived in the wilderness removed from the joys of men. She came to Heorot determined to seek revenge for the death of her son. Hastily she clutched one of the heroes in his sleep, a favorite thane of Hrothgar. Then retrieving Grendel's arm she retreated to her lair.Beowulf was not there, for he had been given another lodging identify. Awakened, the warriors in the hall sounded the alert.
twenty
Hrothgar mourned the murder of Æschere, his thane. He sensed who had washed the evil deed, for he had heard from people dwelling in the countryside of two night-stalkers of the marshes and moors, i like unto a woman, the other in the image of a miscreated man. They were said to dwell amidst the wolf-haunted slopes, barbarous fen-paths, and wind-swept cliffs where mountain streams autumn, shrouded in the mists of the headlands. Non far from there is a mere. Copse hang over its waters, and at night-time tin can be seen a dreadful wonder: fire on the inundation. No man knows its depth.He addressed Beowulf: "Over again help rests with yous alone. Seek out this cruel and cheerless spot, if you dare. I will advantage you with great treasure, equally I did before, if you lot succeed in getting there alive."
21
Beowulf replied: "Sorrow non. Information technology is better for a man to avenge his friend than to mourn exceedingly. Each of us will one 24-hour interval 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'south cease. Now let us follow the tracks of Grendel's mother. I promise you, she shall not escape."The erstwhile man 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 ocean-monster's haunt. Suddenly they came upon a mere, overhung with a cheerless wood. And there, 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 pond in the water and body of water-monsters lying along the headland-slopes. They sounded the boxing horn, and the creatures sped away, merely not before Beowulf killed one of them with his bow and arrow.
Then Beowulf, taking no thought for his ain life, put on his armor of chainmail and his helmet, fitted with boar figures and so that no sword could seize with teeth information technology. He picked up the sword, Hrunting by proper noun, that Unferth had lent him. One of the greatest among aboriginal treasures, its atomic number 26 blade was stained with poison and hardened with the blood of battle.
22
Taking leave of Hrothgar, Beowulf set forth into the mere. It took the meliorate part of a day earlier he sighted the lesser.The blood-thirsty monster who had lived there for a hundred seasons [fifty years] shortly discovered his presence, and she seized the warrior with her horrid claws. His ringed armor protected him, and she did him no harm, only she did elevate him into her dwelling house. The hero saw that he was in a hall where the water could practice him no harm. He attacked the mighty mere-woman, the she-wolf of the deep, with his sword, but he found that he could not wound her with information technology. Throwing the famous sword to the basis, he over again trusted in his force. 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 sat on him and stabbed at him with her dagger, but once more 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, but it was a sword for giants, likewise heavy for any man to carry into battle. Still, the great hero seized the hilt and savagely struck out at the monster. The blow caught her at the neck and sliced off her doomed head.Of a sudden light filled the place, and the victorious warrior looked almost. He saw Grendel's torso. Equally a final act 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, just the Geats, Beowulf'south comrades-in-artillery, remained there sick at eye.
Meanwhile the sword in Beowulf'southward hand began to waste away. Drenched in blood, it melted abroad similar an icicle at winter'due south stop. Beowulf saw great treasures there in the hall, but 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, bearing Grendel'southward caput upon a spear.
24
Beowulf spoke to King Hrothgar: "Behold this token of victory. I most perished, for the great sword Hrunting proved ineffective in my struggle against the fiend, but at last I saw an onetime and mighty sword hanging on the wall, and with this sword I slew the enemy. Her blood melted the slap-up sword's bract, but the hilt I have carried abroad equally 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 before the flood destroyed the giant race. Its guard was of shining aureate, graven correctly with runic letters and brightly adorned with snakes.
25
King Hrothgar spoke: "Dear Beowulf, best of men, go on yourself from arrogance and envy. You are at present at the peak of your power, but with age your forcefulness will wane, and with fourth dimension expiry volition overcome you."The next morn Beowulf announced his desire to return to his own homeland. With kind cheers he returned the sword Hrunting to Unferth, generously praising the ancient weapon. He was a human of noble spirit!
26
Beowulf spoke to Male monarch Hrothgar: "Nosotros seafarers now return to our King Hygelac. Yous have been good to us. If, beyond the waters, I learn that you are again in demand, I will forthwith render with a grand warriors to help you."Hrothgar answered: "Because of you lot at that place volition always be peace between our people, the Geats and the Danes. Feuds and strife from the past are now behind united states."
Then the aged king, unable to contain his grief at Beowulf'south departing, gave the hero additional treasures. He was a king blameless in every way until former age robbed him of his forcefulness.
27
As the warriors approached the body of water they were kindly greeted by the coastguardsman. They loaded their horses, armor, and treasures aboard their ship, and before departing Beowulf gave the guard an heirloom sword bound with gold.They steered the ship into deep water, then hoisted a textile sail. The ship groaned, and the wind drove them across the waters, always on grade, until at final they saw the familiar headlands and cliffs of their homeland. The harbor guard, who had long looked out to body of water for his beloved countrymen, moored their ship with ropes, securing it from the waves.
28-30
Rex Hygelac greeted the returning hero ceremoniously. Burning with curiosity about the latter'south adventures, he asked: "How did y'all fare on your journeying to help the Danes?""My battle with Grendel is already known to many," replied Beowulf. So he recounted in detail his entire adventure: his arrival at Heorot, his hand-to-hand fight with Grendel, his slaying of the monster'due south mother at the bottom of the mere, and his reward of neat treasures at the hand of Male monarch Hrothgar.
31
Beowulf ended his account by praising the generosity of Rex Hrothgar. "He followed courtly custom," said the hero. "He withheld naught that was my due; and I wish now to give to you, my king, the smashing treasures that he gave me as a reward."Beowulf then had the arms and treasures brought along, and he told the story backside each heirloom.
King Hygelac responded past presenting to Beowulf Hrethel'southward sword, a famous heirloom. Furthermore, he gave him seven thousand hides of country and a hall. Then he named him prince and successor to his own throne.
At Hygelac'due south death 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 bang-up treasure lay hidden in an upland barrow, but all those who had cached it died before bequesting it to their surviving kin. Every bit they are wont to do, a malicious dragon found the hoard and assumed possession of it. For three hundred winters he jealously guarded the treasure.Then one day a thief broke into the dragon'southward hoard and stole a golden cup. He was not a willful thief, but rather a runaway slave who had escaped a cruel master. Discovering the treasure past chance, 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 past fire, including Beowulf'due south home, the best of halls.34-35
Again facing a life-and-death conflict with a superhuman foe, Beowulf reminisced almost the contests and victories of his earlier life. Ever mindful of a rex'southward duty toward his people, he vowed: "In the days of my youth I ventured on many battles; and fifty-fifty now will I, aged guardian of my people, challenge this destroyer, if he will come forth from his den to meet me."Beowulf advanced to the dragon's lair lonely, trusting in his single strength. That is no coward's way. With a articulate voice he challenged the serpent to appear. The evil beast'due south breath emerged from the rocks. The world 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 blade failed to penetrate.
This was to be no pleasant journey for Beowulf: he was now doomed to leave this world forever against his will, the fate of all men.
Soon the two fighters confronted ane another again. The serpent plucked up his courage and renewed his attack. Beowulf's companions had all fled into the woods to salvage their lives. Simply one of them came to his lord's aid.
36
The lone brave companion was a love 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 assistance his lord."Beloved Beowulf," he said, "in your youth you lot swore that you would not let your fame turn down equally long equally you lived. You must now defend your life with all your might. I shall help you!"
Hearing these words, the dragon attacked a 2d time. The serpent'southward flaming breath burned Wiglaf's shield to ashes, so the young warrior was forced to seek refuge backside his kinsman's shield. Beowulf, intent on glory, drove his sword Naegling into the dragon'southward head. And so vehement was the blow that it shattered the blade. As I accept heard, Beowulf's manus was and then stiff, that no sword could withstand his full forcefulness.
The fiery dragon attacked a third time, seizing Beowulf by the neck with his sharp teeth. The hero'due south claret flowed forth in streams.
37
I have heard how Wiglaf showed unceasing courage and skill in the king's great demand. The young hero instead of attacking the dragon's head aimed his sword blows a little lower, wounding the beast such that the fire began to wane.Beowulf recovered somewhat, and drawing his curt sword he cut the ophidian in two. Thus they struck downwards the foe. Together the two noble kinsmen destroyed him, but this was the male monarch's terminal hour of victory, his final worldly deed.
The wound that the dragon had given Beowulf began to burn and peachy. Knowing that his appointed days on earth were now at an end, Beowulf spoke: "Fifty winters have I ruled this people, during which time no neighboring king has dared to attack us. At home I have accepted my fate. I have sought no quarrels and have sworn no false oaths. In all this I can accept joy, although I now suffer from fatal wounds."
Beowulf farther asked Wiglaf to seek out the dragon'south treasure and describe information technology to him, thus giving him comfort knowing about this role of the legacy he was leaving to his country.
38
I accept 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 haemorrhage and near 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 have paid for this treasure hoard with my aged life. You must now fulfill the needs of the people with it. I can no longer be hither. After my body has been burned have the warriors build a memorial mound for me on a littoral promontory. Seafarers will telephone call it Beowulf'due south Mound."
The generous rex then gave the immature warrior his gilt neck-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 away all my kinsmen. I must follow them."
These were the former rex's concluding words. His soul departed to seek the advantage of the righteous.
39
It greatly grieved the young warrior to run across his beloved one lying lifeless on the ground. His slayer lay in that location besides, defeated and dead. No longer would this serpent rule over treasure hoards. No more than would he whirl through the air at midnight.Every bit I have heard, very few men in the world had ever withstood the venomous blasts from such a foe. Beowulf had won the dragon's hoard, only he had paid for his share of this wealth with his life. Not long afterward the cowards who had fled into the woods returned. Ten 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 up there wearing chainmail and conveying the finest arms, all given to you by our king, but in his hr of distress, you all abandoned him. Henceforth yous shall all exist deprived of the landowners' privileges formerly bestowed upon y'all."
forty-41
Wiglaf ordered that the battle'south outcome be announced in the stronghold. A band of mourners proceeded to the identify where their honey rex had fallen. They first came upon the loathsome beast, all scorched with flames. He was 50 anxiety long. The creature who had at nighttime frolicked through the air at present lay lifeless on the sand. Never once more would he render to his barrow. Nearby stood golden bowls, cups, dishes, and precious swords, rusty and decayed as if they had lain in the globe'south bust for a chiliad winters. A spell had been cast upon that vast hoard, the gold of men of erstwhile, that no 1 could enter the treasure-house unless God himself and then willed information technology.42
Wiglaf summoned together seven of the king'south all-time thanes, himself the eighth, and together they entered the dragon'southward lair. They loaded gold of every sort and across mensurate upon a wagon and carried it away with them. They pushed the dragon'southward body over the cliff into the bounding main and let the waves carry it away.The Geatish people prepared a magnificent pyre for their great king. Mourning warriors laid their honey lord in its midst, then kindled the funeral fire. Wood smoke ascended, blackness above the flames. The roar of the fire mingled with the sound of weeping, until at last the body was consumed. Heaven swallowed the smoke.
A Geatish woman sang a sorry complaining for Beowulf, expressing fearfulness of evil days alee.
The Geatish people fabricated a mound upon the cliff. It was loftier and wide, and could be seen from distant past seafaring men. They congenital a wall around the fire's ashes, the famous Warrior'due south Beacon. Inside 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 information technology still remains, equally useless to men at present as it was in times of old.
Twelve warriors, sons of princes, rode about the mound, praising their hero'due south backbone 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, most kind to his people, and almost desirous of praise.
- Beowulf was composed past an unnamed English poet onetime betwixt about 700 A.D. and 800 A.D. These dates, based on internal contextual and linguistic show, are not universally accustomed past 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 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 past two unlike scribes in about m A.D. This manuscript is housed in the British Library.
- I have based this summary on the following translation: Beowulf, translated out of the Old English past Chauncey Brewster Tinker. Revised edition (New York: Newson and Company, 1912).
- Link to a text of Beowulf in the original Sometime English: Beowulf, herausgegeben von Alfred Holder (Freiburg im Breisgau: Verlag von J. C. B. Mohr, 1899). This text was edited by a High german scholar. Annotations are in German, merely the text is the original Onetime English language.
- Link to the Wikipedia commodity on Beowulf.
- Link to Dragon Slayers: An Alphabetize Page.
- Return to the table of contents.
Return to D. L. Ashliman'southward folktexts , a library of folktales, folklore, fairy tales, and mythology.
Revised October 26, 2010.
Source: https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/beowulf.html
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