Legends That Every Child Should Know | Page 9

and to fight the dragon single
handed. He would have thought it shame to seek him with a large band,
he who, as a lad, had killed Grendel and his kin. As he armed for the
fray, many thoughts filled his mind; he remembered the days of his
youth and manhood. "I fought many wars in my youth," he said, "and
now that I am aged, and the keeper of my people, I will yet again seek
the enemy and do famously."
He bade his men await him on the mountain-side. They were to see
which of the two would come alive out of the tussle.
There the aged King beheld where a rocky archway stood, with a
stream of fire gushing from it; no one could stand there and not be
scorched. He gave a great shout, and the dragon answered with a hot
breath of flame. Beowulf, with drawn sword, stood well up to his shield,
when the burning dragon, curved like an arch, came headlong upon him.
The shield saved him but little; he swung up the sword to smite the
horrible monster, but its edge did not bite. Sparks flew around him on
every side; he saw that the end of his days had come.
His men crept away to the woods to save their lives. One, and one only,
Wiglaf by name, sped through the smoke and flame to help his lord.
"My Lord Beowulf!" he cried, "with all your might defend life, I will
support you to the utmost."
The dragon came on in fury; in a trice the flames consumed Wiglaf's
shield, but, nothing daunted, he stepped under the shelter of Beowulf's,
as his own fell in ashes about him. The King remembered his strength
of old, and he smote with his sword with such force that it stuck in the
monster's head, while splinters flew all around. His hand was so strong
that, as men used to say, he broke any sword in using it, and was none
the worse for it.
Now, for the third time, the dragon rushed upon him, and seized him by
the neck with his poisonous fangs. Wiglaf, with no thought for himself,
rushed forward, though he was scorched with the flames, and smote the
dragon lower down than Beowulf had done. With such effect the sword

entered the dragon's body that from that moment the fire began to
cease.
The King, recovering his senses, drew his knife and ended the
monster's life. So these two together destroyed the enemy of the people.
To Beowulf that was the greatest moment of his life, when he saw his
work completed.
The wound that the dragon had given him began to burn and swell, for
the poison had entered it. He knew that the tale of his days was told. As
he rested on a stone by the mound, he pondered thoughtfully, looking
on the cunning work of the dwarfs of old, the stone arches on their
rocky pillars. Wiglaf, with tender care, unloosed his helmet and
brought him water, Beowulf discoursing the while: "Now I would
gladly have given my armour to my son, had God granted me one. I
have ruled this people fifty years, and no King has dared attack them. I
have held my own with justice, and no friend has lost his life through
me. Though I am sick with deadly wounds, I have comfort in this. Now
go quickly, beloved Wiglaf, show me the ancient wealth that I have
won for my people, the gold and brilliant gems, that I may then
contentedly give up my life."
Quickly did Wiglaf enter the mound at the bidding of his master. On
every side he saw gold and jewels and choice vases, helmets and
bracelets, and over head, a marvellous banner, all golden, gleaming
with light, so that he could scan the surface of the floor and see the
curious treasured hoards. He filled his lap full of golden cups and
platters, and also took the brilliant banner.
He hastened to return with his spoils, wondering, with pain, if he
should find his King still alive. He bore his treasures to him, laid them
on the ground, and again sprinkled him with water. "I thank God," said
the dying King, "that I have been permitted to win this treasure for my
people; now they will have all that they need. But I cannot be any
longer here. Bid my men make a lofty mound on the headland
overlooking the sea, and there place my ashes. In time to come men
shall call it Beowulf's Barrow, it shall tower aloft to guide sailors over
the stormy seas."

The brave King took from his neck his golden collar, took his helmet
and his coronet, and gave them to his