When Beowulf saw these things of wonderful beauty, he said: "I thank
the Father of the gods, for all; because I have been able to kill the
great dragon and give my life for my people. No longer may I stay
here. Tell my brave warriors to make a mound near the sea, so high
that sailors may see it from afar and call it Beowulf's mound."
Then from his neck the bold-hearted prince took a golden ring and gave
it to the young warrior. To him also he gave his helmet and shield and
bade him use them well. "Thou art the last of our race. All my
kinsmen fate has swept away. I shall follow them." These were the
last words from the heart of the hero.
When the thanes came to where Wiglaf sat by his dead lord, the young
warrior said: "The great prince who gave you rings, and shields, and
homes, could not boast of you when need came. He alone conquered the
beast. I could help him little, but yet I did what I could to help the
good king. Death is better for every one than a life of reproach."
Then he told them of the wish of Beowulf and bade them prepare the
mound by the shore of the noisy sea. Many, many warriors came to see
the great king. Much they loved him and admired his great strength.
Much they mourned for him and tears fell. All day they sat by the sea
and spoke no word. They looked with dread at their great foe. Fifty
feet long it stretched on the ground. At last the warriors threw the
great dragon into the sea, never again to be seen by men.
Then Wiglaf took the warriors into the dark cave to see the treasures
hoarded there. For a thousand years had gold and gems and jewelled
armour been gathered there. Now there were more treasures than man
could count. The Goths were amazed to see such treasures, but they
wished not to take them for their own. They heaped high the
mountain-pines for a funeral pile. To this they carried the precious
treasures of the cave. Here they placed the king, so dearly loved.
Then the greatest of the warriors kindled the pine trees high. The
roaring flames arose; sounds of weeping were heard. Sad they waited
until all was destroyed by the flames. Then they began the mound in
honour of their lord. Ten days they worked, and built the mound so
high that sea-farers far away could see it and say, "There is the mound
of the good Beowulf, the king of the Goths."
And his people said: "Our Beowulf was of all kings the mildest, the
noblest of men, the gentlest to his people and most worthy of praise."
[Illustration: PRONOUNCING VOCABULARY OF PROPER NAMES]