Beowulf

XXXI

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!

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, [31a]

his days on earth, and the dragon with him,

though long it had watched o’er the wealth of the hoard! —

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 [31b] 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. [31c] 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!