Legends That Every Child Should Know | Page 6

will the monster carry away my body to the swamps,
so care not for my body, but send my armour to my King. My fate is in
God's hands."
Hrothgar loved the youth for his noble words, and bade him and his
men sit down to the table and merrily share the feast, if they had a mind
to do so. As they feasted, a minstrel sang with a clear voice. The Queen,
in cloth of gold, moved down the hall and handed the jewelled cup of

mead to the King and all the warriors, old and young. At the right
moment, with gracious words, she brought it to Beowulf. Full of pride
and high purpose, the youth drank from the splendid cup, and vowed
that he would conquer the enemy or die.
When the sun sank in the west, all the guests arose. The King bade
Beowulf guard the house, and watch for the foe. "Have courage," he
said, "be watchful, resolve on success. Not a wish of yours shall be left
unfulfilled, if you perform this mighty deed."
Then Beowulf lay down to rest in the hall, putting off from him his coat
of mail, helmet, and sword.
Through the dim night Grendel came stealing. All slept in the darkness,
all but one! The door sprang open at the first touch that the monster
gave it. He trod quickly over the paved floor of the hall; his eyes
gleamed as he saw a troop of kinsmen lying together asleep. He
laughed as he reckoned on sucking the life of each one before day
broke. He seized a sleeping warrior, and in a trice had crunched his
bones. Then he stretched out his hand to seize Beowulf on his bed.
Quickly did Beowulf grip his arm; he stood up full length and grappled
with him with all his might, till his fingers cracked as though they
would burst. Never had Grendel felt such a grip; he had a mind to go,
but could not. He roared, and the hall resounded with his yells, as up
and down he raged, with Beowulf holding him in a fast embrace. The
benches were overturned, the timbers of the hall cracked, the beautiful
hall was all but wrecked. Beowulf's men had seized their weapons and
thought to hack Grendel on every side, but no blade could touch him.
Still Beowulf held him by the arm; his shoulder cracked, and he fled,
wounded to death, leaving hand, arm, and shoulder in Beowulf's grasp.
Over the moors, into the darkness, he sped as best he might, and to
Beowulf was the victory.
Then, in the morning, many a warrior came from far and near. Riding
in troops, they tracked the monster's path, where he had fled stricken to
death. In a dismal pool he had yielded up his life.
Racing their horses over the green turf, they reached again the paved

street. The golden roof of the palace glittered in the sunlight. The King
stood on the terrace and gave thanks to God. "I have had much woe,"
he said, "but this lad, through God's might, has done the deed that we,
with all our wisdom, could not do. Now I will heartily love you,
Beowulf, as if you were my son. You shall want for nothing in this
world, and your fame shall live forever."
The palace was cleansed, the walls hung anew with cloth of gold, the
whole place was made fair and straight, for only the roof had been left
altogether unhurt after the fight.
A merry feast was held. The King brought forth out of his treasures a
banner, helmet, and mail coat. These he gave to Beowolf; but more
wonderful than all was a famous sword handed down to him through
the ages. Then eight horses with golden cheekplates were brought
within the court; one of them was saddled with King Hrothgar's own
saddle, decorated with silver. Hrothgar gave all to Beowulf, bidding
him enjoy them well. To each of Beowulf's men he gave rich gifts. The
minstrels sang; the Queen, beautiful and gracious, bore the cup to the
King and Beowulf. To Beowulf she, too, gave gifts: mantle and
bracelets and collar of gold. "Use these gifts," she said, "and prosper
well! As far as the sea rolls your name shall be known."
Great was the joy of all till evening came. Then the hall was cleared of
benches and strewn with beds. Beowulf, like the King, had his own
bower this night to sleep in. The nobles lay down in the hall, at their
heads they set their shields and placed ready their helmets and their
mail coats. Each slept, ready in an instant to do battle for his lord.
So they sank to rest, little dreaming what deep sorrow