After his return to the land of the Geats, Beowulf served Higelac
faithfully till the day of the king's death, which befell in an
expedition that he made to Friesland. Beowulf was with him on that
disastrous journey, and only with difficulty did he escape with his
life. But when he returned as a poor solitary fugitive to his people,
Hygd, Higelac's wife, offered him the kingdom and the king's treasures,
for she feared that her young son Heardred was not strong enough to hold
the throne of his fathers against invading foes.
Beowulf, however, would not accept the kingdom, but rather chose to
uphold Heardred among the people, giving him friendly counsel and
serving him faithfully and honorably.
But before very long Heardred was killed in battle, and then at last
Beowulf consented to become king of the Geats.
For fifty years he ruled well and wisely and his people prospered. But
at last trouble came in the ravages of a terrible dragon, and once more
Beowulf was called forth to a terrific combat.
For three hundred years this dragon had kept watch over a hoard of
treasure on a mountain by the seashore in the country of the Geats. The
treasure had been hidden in a cave under the mountain by a band of
sea-robbers; and when the last of them was dead the dragon took
possession of the cave and of the treasure and kept fierce watch over
them.
But one day a poor man came to the spot while the dragon was fast asleep
and carried off part of the treasure to his master.
When the dragon awoke he soon discovered the man's footprints, and on
examining the cave he found that part of the gold and splendid jewels
had disappeared. In wrathful and savage mood he sought all round the
mountain for the robber, but could find no one.
So when evening came he went forth eager for revenge, and throwing out
flashes of fire in every direction, he began to set fire to all the
land. Beowulf's own princely manor-house was burnt down and terrible
destruction was wrought on every hand, till day broke and the
fire-dragon returned to his den.
Great was Beowulf's grief at this dire misfortune, and eager was his
desire for vengeance. He scorned to seek the foe with a great host
behind him, nor did he dread the combat in any way, for he called to
mind his many feats of war, and especially his fight with Grendel.
So he quickly had fashioned a mighty battle-shield, made entirely of
iron, for he knew that the wooden one that he was wont to use would be
burnt up by the flames of the fire-dragon. Then he chose out eleven of
his earls, and together they set out for the mountain, led thither by
the man who had stolen the treasure.
When they came to the mouth of the cave Beowulf bade farewell to his
companions, for he was resolved to fight single-handed against the foe.
"Many a fight have I fought in my youth," he said, "and now once more
will I, the guardian of my people, seek the combat. I would not bear any
sword or other weapon against the dragon if I thought that I could
grapple with him as I did with the monster Grendel. But I fear that I
shall not be able to approach so close to this foe, for he will send
forth hot, raging fire and venomous breath. Yet am I resolute in mood,
fearless and resolved not to yield one foot's-breadth to the monster.
"Tarry ye here on the hill, my warriors, and watch which of us two will
survive the deadly combat, for this is no enterprise for you. I only can
attempt it, because such great strength has been given to me. Therefore
I will do battle alone and will either slay the dragon and win the
treasure for my people or fall in the fight, as destiny shall appoint."
When he had spoken thus Beowulf strode forward to the fight, armed with
his iron shield, his sword and his dagger. A stone arch spanned the
mouth of the cave, and on one side a boiling stream, hot as though with
raging fires, rushed forth. Undaunted by it, Beowulf uttered a shout to
summon the dragon to the fight. Immediately a burning breath from the
monster came out of the rock, the earth rumbled and then the dragon
rushed forth to meet his fate.
Standing with his huge shield held well before him, Beowulf received the
attack and struck from beneath his shield at the monster's side. But his
blade failed him and turned aside, and the blow but served to enrage
the dragon, so that he darted forth such blasting rays of deadly fire
that Beowulf was well nigh overwhelmed and the fight went hard with him.
Now his eleven chosen comrades could see the combat from where they
stood; and one of them, Beowulf's kinsman Wiglaf, was moved to great
sorrow at the sight of his lord's distress. At last he could bear it no
longer, but grasped his wooden shield and his sword and cried to the
other thanes:
"Remember how we promised our lord in the banquet-hall, when he gave us
our helmets and swords and battle-gear, that we would one day repay him
for his gifts. Now is the day come that our liege lord has need of the
strength of good warriors. We must go help him, even though he thought
to accomplish this mighty work alone, for we can never return to our
homes if we have not slain the enemy and saved our king's life. Rather
than live when he is dead, I will perish with him in this deadly fire."
Then he rushed through the noisome smoke to his lord's side, crying:
"Dear Beowulf, take courage. Remember thy boast that thy valor shall
never fail thee in thy lifetime, and defend thyself now with all thy
might, and I will help thee."
But the other warriors were afraid to follow him, so that Beowulf and
Wiglaf stood alone to face the dragon.
As soon as the monster advanced upon them, Wiglaf's wooden shield was
burnt away by the flames, so that he was forced to take refuge behind
Beowulf's iron shield; and this time when Beowulf struck with his sword,
it was shivered to pieces. Then the dragon flung himself upon him and
caught him up in his arms, crushing him till he lay senseless and
covered with wounds.
But now Wiglaf showed his valor and strength, and smote the monster with
such mighty blows that at last the fire coming forth from him began to
abate somewhat. Then Beowulf came once more to his senses, and drawing
his deadly knife, struck with it from beneath; and at last the force of
the blows from the two noble kinsmen felled the fierce fire-dragon and
he sank down dead beside them.
But Beowulf's wounds were very great, and he knew that the joys of life
were ended for him and that death was very near. So while Wiglaf with
wonderful tenderness unfastened his helmet for him and refreshed him
with water, he spoke, saying:
"Though I am sick with mortal wounds, there is yet some comfort
remaining for me. For I have governed my people for fifty winters and
kept them safe from invading foes; yet have not sought out quarrels nor
led my kinsmen to dire slaughter when there was no need. Therefore the
Ruler of all men will not blame me when my life departs from my body.
"And now go thou quickly, dear Wiglaf, to spy out the treasure within
the cave, so that I may see what wealth I have won for my people before
I die."
So Wiglaf went into the cave and there he saw many precious jewels, old
vessels, helmets, gold armlets and other treasures, which excelled in
beauty and number any that mankind has ever known. Moreover, high above
the treasure flapped a marvelous gilded standard, from which came a ray
of light which lit up all the cave.
Then Wiglaf seized as much as he could carry of the precious spoils, and
taking the standard also, hastened back to his lord, dreading lest he
should find him already dead.
Beowulf was very near his life's end, but when Wiglaf had again revived
him with water, he had strength to speak once more.
[Illustration: SIEGFRIED CAME OFF VICTOR IN EVERY ENCOUNTER]
[Illustration: BEOWULF FACE TO FACE WITH THE FIRE-BREATHING DRAGON]
"Glad am I," he said, "that I have been able before my death to gain so
much for my people. But now I may no longer abide here. Bid the gallant
warriors burn my body on the headland here which juts into the sea, and
afterwards raise a huge mound on the same spot, that the sailors who
drive their vessels over the misty floods may call it Beowulf's Mound."
Then the dauntless prince undid the golden collar from his neck and gave
it to Wiglaf with his helmet and coat of mail, saying:
"Thou art the last of all our race, for Fate has swept away all my
kindred save thee to their doom, and now I also must join them," and
with these words the aged king fell back dead.
Now as Wiglaf sat by his lord, grieving sorely at his death, the other
ten thanes who had shown themselves to be faithless and cowardly
approached with shame to his side. Then Wiglaf turned to them, crying
bitterly:
"Truly our liege lord flung away utterly in vain the battle-gear that he
gave ye. Little could he boast of his comrades when the hour of need
came. I myself was able to give him some succor in the fight, but ye
should have stood by him also to defend him. But now the giving of
treasure shall cease for ye and ye will be shamed and will lose your
land-right when the nobles learn of your inglorious deed. Death is
better for every earl than ignominious life."
After this Wiglaf summoned the other earls and told them of all that had
happened and of the mound that Beowulf wished them to build. Then they
gathered together at the mouth of the cave and gazed with tears upon
their lifeless lord and looked with awe upon the huge dragon as it lay
stiff in death beside its conqueror. Afterwards, led by Wiglaf, seven
chosen earls entered the cave and brought forth all the treasure, while
others busied themselves in preparing the funeral pyre.
When all was ready and the huge pile of wood had been hung with helmets,
war-shields and bright coats of mail, as befitted the funeral pyre of a
noble warrior, the earls brought their beloved lord's body to the spot
and laid it on the wood. Then they kindled the fire and stood by
mourning and uttering sorrowful chants, while the smoke rose up and the
fire roared and the body was consumed away. Afterwards they built a
mound on the hill, making it high and broad so that it could be seen
from very far away. Ten days they spent in building it; and because they
desired to pay the highest of honors to Beowulf, they buried in it the
whole of the treasure that the dragon had guarded, for no price was too
heavy to pay as a token of their love for their lord. So the treasure
even now remains in the earth, as useless as it was before.
When at last the mound was completed, the noble warriors gathered
together and rode around it, lamenting their king and singing the praise
of his valor and mighty deeds.
Thus mourned the people of the Geats for the fall of Beowulf, who of all
kings in the world was the mildest and kindest, the most gracious to his
people, and the most eager to win their praise.