The Finn episode (Chapters XVI. and XVII.) is one of those events
in Beowulf that would be quite well known to the first hearers
of the song, but to us is lacking in that clearness we might
desire. Fortunately, Dr. Hickes discovered a fragment entitled, 'The
Fight at Finnsburgh,' on the back of a MS. of the Homilies. From
Beowulf and from this fragment we are able to piece together an
intelligible story. It is probably as follows: