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THEN the baleful fiend its fire belched out,
and bright homes burned. The blaze stood high
all landsfolk frighting. No living thing
would that loathly one leave as aloft it flew.
Wide was the dragon’s warring seen,
its fiendish fury far and near,
as the grim destroyer those Geatish people
hated and hounded. To hidden lair,
to its hoard it hastened at hint of dawn.
Folk of the land it had lapped in flame,
with bale and brand. In its barrow it trusted,
its battling and bulwarks: that boast was vain!
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The dragon burned homes throughout the land, terrifying the people. It killed everyone it saw and cut a path of destruction throughout the Geats’ land. Every day at dawn it returned to its lair, where it felt safe. |
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To Beowulf then the bale was told
quickly and truly: the king’s own home,
of buildings the best, in brand-waves melted,
that gift-throne of Geats. To the good old man
sad in heart, ’twas heaviest sorrow.
The sage assumed that his sovran God
he had angered, breaking ancient law,
and embittered the Lord. His breast within
with black thoughts welled, as his wont was
never.
The folk’s own fastness that fiery dragon
with flame had destroyed, and the stronghold all
washed by waves; but the warlike king,
prince of the Weders, plotted vengeance.
Warriors’-bulwark, he bade them work
all of iron—the earl’s commander—
a war-shield wondrous: well he knew
that forest-wood against fire were worthless,
linden could aid not.—Atheling brave,
he was fated to finish this fleeting life,
his days on earth, and the dragon with him,
though long it had watched o’er the wealth of
thehoard!—
Shame he reckoned it, sharer-of-rings,
to follow the flyer-afar with a host,
a broad-flung band; nor the battle feared he,
nor deemed he dreadful the dragon’s warring,
its vigor and valor: ventures desperate
he had passed a-plenty, and perils of war,
contest-crash, since, conqueror proud,
Hrothgar’s hall he had wholly purged,
and in grapple had killed the kin of Grendel,
loathsome breed! Not least was that
of hand-to-hand fights where Hygelac fell,
when the ruler of Geats in rush of battle,
lord of his folk, in the Frisian land,
son of Hrethel, by sword-draughts died,
by brands down-beaten. Thence Beowulf fled
through strength of himself and his swimming
power,
though alone, and his arms were laden with
thirty
coats of mail, when he came to the sea!
Nor yet might Hetwaras haughtily boast
their craft of contest, who carried against him
shields to the fight: but few escaped
from strife with the hero to seek their homes!
Then swam over ocean Ecgtheow’s son
lonely and sorrowful, seeking his land,
where Hygd made him offer of hoard and realm,
rings and royal-seat, reckoning naught
the strength of her son to save their kingdom
from hostile hordes, after Hygelac’s death.
No sooner for this could the stricken ones
in any wise move that atheling’s mind
over young Heardred’s head as lord
and ruler of all the realm to be:
yet the hero upheld him with helpful words,
aided in honor, till, older grown,
he wielded the Weder-Geats.—Wandering exiles
sought him o’er seas, the sons of Ohtere,
who had spurned the sway of the
Scylfings’-helmet,
the bravest and best that broke the rings,
in Swedish land, of the sea-kings’ line,
haughty hero. Hence Heardred’s end.
For shelter he gave them, sword-death came,
the blade’s fell blow, to bairn of Hygelac;
but the son of Ongentheow sought again
house and home when Heardred fell,
leaving Beowulf lord of Geats
and gift-seat’s master.—A good king he!
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Then the dragon burned down Beowulf’s home, the throne-room of the Geats. It was a heavy blow to the old man. Beowulf assumed that God was punishing him for something. He dwelled on his sufferings, which he was never known to do. The dragon destroyed the Geats’ forts and defenses along the coast, but Beowulf began to plan his revenge. Beowulf ordered his blacksmiths to make a mighty shield. He and the dragon were destined to end their lives together. Beowulf thought it would be shameful to go after the dragon with a whole army. He had fought plenty of difficult battles on his own since the time that he killed Grendel and his mother. He had wrestled with monsters and won. One of those battles was the one that took the life of Hygelac, the former king. After that battle was over, Beowulf swam through the sea wearing thirty sets of armor, which was the plunder he took from the war. None of his enemies would dare to face him after that. When he returned from that war, Queen Hygd offered Beowulf the kingdom. She didn’t believe her son Heardred could be a good king and keep the Geats safe. But Bewoulf couldn’t be convinced to take over. Instead, he assisted and advised Heardred until Hygelac’s son grew up and was able to protect the Geats. About that time, some exiles from the wars in Sweden came and Heardred gave them shelter. But the Swedes came looking for the exiles, and in the battle Heardred was killed. Onela took the throne in Sweden, leaving Beowulf to become a great king for the Geats. He was a good king! |
