Legends of the Middle Ages | Page 5

deep. At last, descrying a phosphorescent gleam in the depths, he
quickly made his way thither, shrewdly conjecturing that it must be
Grendel's hiding place. But on his way thither he was repeatedly
obliged to have recourse to his sword to defend himself against the
clutches of countless hideous sea monsters which came rushing toward
him on all sides.
"While thro' crystal gulfs were gleaming Ocean depths, with wonders
teeming; Shapes of terror, huge, unsightly, Loom'd thro' vaulted roof
translucent." J.C. JONES, Valhalla.
A strong current seized Beowulf, and swept him irresistibly along into
the slimy retreat of Grendel's mother. She clutched him fast, wrestled
with him, deprived him of his sword, flung him down, and finally tried
to pierce his armor with her trenchant knife. Fortunately, however, the
hero's armor was weapon-proof, and his muscles were so strong that
before she could do him any harm he had freed himself from her grasp.
Seizing a large sword hanging upon a projection of rock near by, he
dealt her a mighty blow, severing her head from the trunk at a single
stroke. The blood pouring out of the cave mingled with the waters

without, and turned them to such a lurid hue that Hrothgar and his men
sorrowfully departed, leaving the Geates alone to watch for the return
of the hero, whom they feared they would never see again.
Beowulf, in the mean while, had rushed to the rear of the cave, where,
finding Grendel in the last throes, he cut off his head also. He seized
this ghastly trophy and rapidly made his way up through the tainted
waters, which the fiery blood of the two monsters had so overheated
that his sword melted in its scabbard and naught but the hilt remained.
"That stout sword of proof, Its warrior task fulfill'd, dropp'd to the
ground (So work'd the venom of the felon's blood) A molten mass."
Beowulf (Conybeare's tr.).
The Geates were about to depart in sorrow, notwithstanding the orders
they had received, when they suddenly beheld their beloved chief safe
and sound, and bearing the evidences of his success. Then their cries of
joy echoed and reechoed from the neighboring hills, and Beowulf was
escorted back to Heorot, where he was almost overwhelmed with gifts
by the grateful Danes. A few days later Beowulf and his companions
returned home, where the story of their adventures, and an exhibition of
all the treasures they had won, formed the principal topics of
conversation.
[Sidenote: Death of Hygelac.] Several years of comparative peace
ensued, ere the land was invaded by the Friesians, who raided the coast,
burning and plundering all in their way, and retreated into their ships
before Hygelac or Beowulf could overtake and punish them. The
immediate result of this invasion was a counter-movement on
Hygelac's part. But although he successfully harried Friesland, he fell
into an ambush just as he was about to leave the country, and was
cruelly slain, his nephew Beowulf barely escaping a similar untoward
fate.
When the little army of the Geates reached home once more, they either
buried or consumed Hygelac's remains, with his weapons and battle
steed, as was customary in the North. This ceremony ended, Queen
Hygd, overwhelmed with grief, and fearing the almost inevitable
dissensions arising during the long minority of an infant king,
convened the popular assembly known as the Thing, and bade the
people set her own child's claims aside in favor of Beowulf. This
proposal was hailed with enthusiasm; but Beowulf refused to usurp his

kinsman's throne, and raising Hardred, Hygelac's infant son, upon his
shield, he declared that he would protect and uphold him as long as he
lived. The people, following his example, swore fealty to the new king,
and faithfully kept this oath until he died.
Hardred, having attained his majority, ruled wisely and well; but his
career was cut short by the sons of Othere, the discoverer of the North
Cape. These youths had rebelled against their father's authority and
taken refuge at Hardred's court; but when the latter advised a
reconciliation, the eldest youth angrily drew his sword and slew him.
[Illustration: FUNERAL OF A NORTHERN CHIEF.--Cormon.]
[Sidenote: Beowulf made king.] This crime was avenged, with true
northern promptitude, by Wiglaf, one of the king's followers; and while
the second youth effected an escape, Beowulf was summoned by the
Thing to accept the now vacant throne. As there were none to dispute
his claims, the hero no longer refused to rule, and he bravely defended
his kingdom against Eadgils, Othere's second son. Eadgils was now
king of Sweden, and came with an armed host to avenge his brother's
death; but he only succeeded in losing his own life.
A reign of forty years of comparative peace brought Beowulf to
extreme old age. He