Beowulf And Grendel

: Myths And Legends Of All Nations.

Long ago there ruled over the Danes a king called Hrothgar. He gained

success and glory in war, so that his loyal kinsmen willingly obeyed

him, and everything prospered in his land.



One day it came into his mind that he would build a princely

banquet-hall, where he might entertain both the young and old of his

kingdom; and he had the work widely made known to many a tribe over

the earth, so that they migh bring rich gifts to beautify the hall.



In course of time the banquet-house was built and towered aloft, high

and battlemented. Then Hrothgar gave it the name of Heorot, and called

his guests to the banquet, and gave them gifts of rings and other

treasures; and afterwards every day the joyous sound of revelry rang

loud in the hall, with the music of the harp and the clear notes of

the singers.



But it was not long before the pleasure of the king's men was broken,

for a wicked demon began to work mischief against them. This cruel

spirit was called Grendel, and he dwelt on the moors and among the

fens. One night he came to Heorot when the noble guests lay at rest

after the feast, and seizing thirty thanes as they slept, set off on

his homeward journey, exulting in his booty.



At break of day his deed was known to all men, and great was the grief

among the thanes. The good King Hrothgar also sat in sorrow, suffering

heavy distress for the death of his warriors.



Not long afterwards Grendel again appeared, and wrought a yet worse

deed of murder. After that the warriors no longer dared to sleep at

Heorot, but sought out secret resting-places, leaving the great house

empty.



A long time passed. For the space of twelve winters Grendel waged a

perpetual feud against Hrothgar and his people; the livelong night he

roamed over the misty moors, visiting Heorot, and destroying both the

tried warriors and the young men whenever he was able. Hrothgar was

broken-hearted, and many were the councils held in secret to

deliberate what it were best to do against these fearful terrors; but

nothing availed to stop the fiend's ravages.



Now the tale of Grendel's deeds went forth into many lands; and

amongst those who heard of it were the Geats, whose king was Higelac.

Chief of his thanes was a noble and powerful warrior named Beowulf,

who resolved to go to the help of the Danes. He bade his men make

ready a good sea-boat, that he might go across the wild swan's path to

seek out Hrothgar and aid him; and his people encouraged him to go on

that dangerous errand even though he was dear to them.



So Beowulf chose fourteen of his keenest warriors, and sailed away

over the waves in his well-equipped vessel, till he came within sight

of the cliffs and mountains of Hrothgar's kingdom. The Danish warder,

who kept guard over the coast, saw them as they were making their ship

fast and carrying their bright weapons on shore. So he mounted his

horse and rode to meet them, bearing in his hand his staff of office;

and he questioned them closely as to whence they came and what their

business was.



Then Beowulf explained their errand, and the warder, when he had heard

it, bade them pass onwards, bearing their weapons, and gave orders

that their ship should be safely guarded.



Soon they came within sight of the fair palace Heorot, and the warder

showed them the way to Hrothgar's court, and then bade them farewell,

and returned to keep watch upon the coast.



Then the bold thanes marched forward to Heorot, their armor and their

weapons glittering as they went. Entering the hall, they set their

shields and bucklers against the walls, placed their spears upright in

a sheaf together, and sat down on the benches, weary with their

seafaring.



Then a proud liegeman of Hrothgar's stepped forward and asked:



"Whence bring ye your shields, your gray war-shirts and frowning

helmets, and this sheaf of spears? Never saw I men of more valiant

aspect."



"We are Higelac's boon companions," answered Beowulf. "Beowulf is my

name, and I desire to declare my errand to the great prince, thy lord,

if he will grant us leave to approach him."



So Wulfgar, another of Hrothgar's chieftains, went out to the king

where he sat with the assembly of his earls and told him of the

arrival of the strangers, and Hrothgar received the news with joy, for

he had known Beowulf when he was a boy, and had heard of his fame as a

warrior. Therefore he bade Wulfgar bring him to his presence, and soon

Beowulf stood before him and cried:



"Hail to thee, Hrothgar! I have heard the tale of Grendel, and my

people, who know my strength and prowess, have counseled me to seek

thee out. For I have wrought great deeds in the past, and now I shall

do battle against this monster. Men say that so thick is his tawny

hide that no weapon can injure him. I therefore disdain to carry sword

or shield into the combat, but will fight with the strength of my arm

only, and either I will conquer the fiend or he will bear away my dead

body to the moor. Send to Higelac, if I fall in the fight, my

beautiful breastplate. I have no fear of death, for Destiny must ever

be obeyed."



Then Hrothgar told Beowulf of the great sorrow caused to him by

Grendel's terrible deeds, and of the failure of all the attempts that

had been made by the warriors to overcome him; and afterwards he bade

him sit down with his followers to partake of a meal.



So a bench was cleared for the Geats, and a thane waited upon them,

and all the noble warriors gathered together, and a great feast was

held once more in Heorot with song and revelry. Waltheow, Hrothgar's

queen, came forth also, and handed the wine-cup to each of the thanes,

pledging the king in joyful mood and thanking Beowulf for his offer of

help.



At last all the company arose to go to rest; and Hrothgar entrusted

the guardianship of Heorot to Beowulf with cheering words, and so bade

him good night. Then all left the hall, save only a watch appointed by

Hrothgar, and Beowulf himself with his followers, who laid themselves

down to rest.



No long time passed before Grendel came prowling from his home on the

moors under the misty slopes. Full of his evil purpose, he burst with

fury into the hall and strode forward raging, a hideous, fiery light

gleaming from his eyes. In the hall lay the warriors asleep, and

Grendel laughed in his heart as he gazed at them, thinking to feast

upon them all. Quickly he seized a sleeping warrior and devoured him;

then, stepping forward, he reached out his hand towards Beowulf as he

lay at rest.



But the hero was ready for him, and seized his arm in a deadly grip

such as Grendel had never felt before. Terror arose in the monster's

heart, and his mind was bent on flight; but he could not get away.



Then Beowulf stood upright and grappled with him firmly, and the two

rocked to and fro in the struggle, knocking over benches and shaking

the hall with the violence of their fight. Suddenly a new and terrible

cry arose, the cry of Grendel in fear and pain, for never once did

Beowulf relax his hold upon him. Then many of Beowulf's earls drew

their swords and rushed to aid their master; but no blade could pierce

him and nothing but Beowulf's mighty strength could prevail.



At last the monster's arm was torn off at the shoulder, and sick unto

death, he fled to the fens, there to end his joyless life. Then

Beowulf rejoiced at his night's work, wherein he had freed Heorot

forever from the fiend's ravages.



Now on the morrow the warriors flocked to the hall; and when they

heard what had taken place, they went out and followed Grendel's

tracks to a mere upon the moors, into which he had plunged and given

up his life. Then, sure of his death, they returned rejoicing to

Heorot, talking of Beowulf's glorious deed; and there they found the

king and queen and a great company of people awaiting them.



And now there was great rejoicing and happiness. Fair and gracious

were the thanks that Hrothgar gave to Beowulf, and great was the feast

prepared in Heorot. Cloths embroidered with gold were hung along the

walls and the hall was decked in every possible way.



When all were seated at the feast, Hrothgar bade the attendants bring

forth his gifts to Beowulf as a reward of victory. He gave him an

embroidered banner, a helmet and breastplate, and a valuable sword,

all adorned with gold and richly ornamented. Also he gave orders to

the servants to bring into the court eight horses, on one of which was

a curiously adorned and very precious saddle, which the king was wont

to use himself when he rode to practice the sword-game. These also he

gave to Beowulf, thus like a true man requiting his valiant deeds with

horses and other precious gifts. He bestowed treasures also on each of

Beowulf's followers and gave orders that a price should be paid in

gold for the man whom the wicked Grendel had slain.



After this there arose within the hall the din of voices and the

sound of song; the instruments also were brought out and Hrothgar's

minstrel sang a ballad for the delight of the warriors. Waltheow too

came forth, bearing in her train presents for Beowulf--a cup, two

armlets, raiment and rings, and the largest and richest collar that

could be found in all the world.



Now when evening came Hrothgar departed to his rest, and the warriors

cleared the hall and lay down to sleep once more, with their shields

and armor beside them as was their custom. But Beowulf was not with

them, for another resting-place had been assigned to him that night,

for all thought that there was now no longer any danger to be feared.



But in this they were mistaken, as they soon learnt to their cost. For

no sooner were they all asleep than Grendel's mother, a monstrous

witch who dwelt at the bottom of a cold mere, came to Heorot to avenge

her son and burst into the hall. The thanes started up in terror,

hastily grasping their swords; but she seized upon Asher, the most

beloved of Hrothgar's warriors, who still lay sleeping, and bore him

off with her to the fens, carrying also with her Grendel's arm, which

lay at one end of the hall.



Then there arose an uproar and the sound of mourning in Heorot. In

fierce and gloomy mood Hrothgar summoned Beowulf and told him the

ghastly tale, begging him, if he dared, to go forth to seek out the

monster and destroy it.



Full of courage, Beowulf answered with cheerful words, promising that

Grendel's mother should not escape him; and soon he was riding forth

fully equipped on his quest, accompanied by Hrothgar and many a good

warrior. They were able to follow the witch's tracks right through the

forest glades and across the gloomy moor, till they came to a spot

where some mountain trees bent over a hoar rock, beneath which lay a

dreary and troubled lake; and there beside the water's edge lay the

head of Asher, and they knew that the witch must be at the bottom of

the water.



Full of grief, the warriors sat down, while Beowulf arrayed himself in

his cunningly fashioned coat of mail and his richly ornamented helmet.

Then he turned to Hrothgar and spoke a last word to him.



"If the fight go against me, great chieftain, be thou a guardian to my

thanes, my kinsmen and my trusty comrades; and send thou to Higelac

those treasures that thou gavest me, that he may know thy kindness to

me. Now will I earn glory for myself, or death shall take me away."



So saying, he plunged into the gloomy lake, at the bottom of which was

Grendel's mother. Very soon she perceived his approach, and rushing

forth, grappled with him and dragged him down to her den, where many

horrible sea-beasts joined in the fight against him. This den was so

fashioned that the water could not enter it, and it was lit by the

light of a fire that shone brightly in the midst of it.



And now Beowulf drew his sword and thrust at his terrible foe; but the

weapon could not injure her, and he was forced to fling it away and

trust in the powerful grip of his arms as he had done with Grendel.

Seizing the witch, he shook her till she sank down on the ground; but

she quickly rose again and requited him with a terrible hand-clutch,

which caused Beowulf to stagger and then fall. Throwing herself upon

him, she seized a dagger to strike him; but he wrenched himself free

and once more stood upright.



Then he suddenly perceived an ancient sword hanging upon the wall of

the den, and seized it as a last resource. Fierce and savage, but

well-nigh hopeless, he struck the monster heavily upon the neck with

it. Then, to his joy, the blade pierced right through her body and she

sank down dying.






At that moment the flames of the fire leapt up, throwing a

brilliant light over the den; and there against the wall Beowulf

beheld the dead body of Grendel lying on a couch. With one swinging

blow of the powerful sword he struck off his head as a trophy to carry

to Hrothgar.



But now a strange thing happened, for the blade of the sword began to

melt away even as ice melts, and soon nothing was left of it save the

hilt. Carrying this and Grendel's head, Beowulf now left the den and

swam upwards to the surface of the lake.



There the thanes met him with great rejoicings, and some quickly

helped him to undo his armor, while others prepared to carry the great

head of Grendel back to Heorot. It took four men to carry it, and

ghastly, though wonderful, was the sight of it.



And now once more the warriors assembled in Heorot, and Beowulf

recounted to Hrothgar the full tale of his adventure and presented to

him the hilt of the wonderful sword. Again the king thanked him from

the depth of his heart for his valiant deeds; and as before a fair

feast was prepared and the warriors made merry till night came and

they repaired to rest, certain this time of their safety.



Now on the morrow Beowulf and his nobles made ready to depart to their

own land; and when they were fully equipped they went to bid farewell

to Hrothgar. Then Beowulf spoke, saying:



"Now are we voyagers eager to return to our lord Higelac. We have been

right well and heartily entertained, O king, and if there is aught

further that I can ever do for thee, then I shall be ready for thy

service. If ever I hear that thy neighbors are again persecuting thee,

I will bring a thousand thanes to thy aid; and I know that Higelac

will uphold me in this."



"Dear are thy words to me, O Beowulf," Hrothgar made answer, "and

great is thy wisdom. If Fate should take away the life of Higelac, the

Geats could have no better king than thou; and hereafter there shall

never more be feuds between the Danes and the Geats, for thou by thy

great deeds hast made a lasting bond of friendship between them."



Then Hrothgar gave more gifts to Beowulf and bade him seek his beloved

people and afterwards come back again to visit him, for so dearly had

he grown to love him that he longed to see him again.



So the two embraced and bade each other farewell with great affection,

and then at last Beowulf went down to where his ship rode at anchor

and sailed away with his followers to his own country, taking with him

the many gifts that Hrothgar had made to him. And coming to Higelac's

court, he told him of his adventures, and having shown him the

treasure, gave it all up to him, so loyal and true was he. But Higelac

in return gave Beowulf a goodly sword and seven thousand pieces of

gold and a manor-house, also a princely seat for him to dwell in.

There Beowulf lived in peace, and not for many years was he called to

fresh adventures.





BEOWULF AND THE FIRE-DRAGON



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.



"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.