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Then I heard tell that the Earl of the King of the People showed in his time of need unfailing courage in helping him with craft and keenness, as was fitting for him to do. He paid no heed to the head of the dragon (but the brave man’s hand was being burnt when he helped his kinsman), but that warrior in arms struck at the hostile sprite somewhat lower in his body so that his shining and gold-plated sword sank into his body, and the fire proceeding therefrom began to abate. Then the good King Beowulf got possession of his wits again, and drew his bitter and battle-sharp short sword that he bore on his shield. And the King of the Geats cut asunder the dragon in the midst of his body. And the fiend fell prone; courage had driven out his life, and they two together had killed him, noble comrades in arms. And thus should a man who is a thane always be helping his lord at his need. And that was the very last victory achieved by that Prince during his life-work.

Then I heard that the earl serving the King of the People showed unfailing courage when his king needed help. He helped his king with skill and quick thinking, as he should. He paid no attention to the dragon’s head. But the brave man’s hand was burning as he helped his kinsman. The armed warrior struck the hostile creature a little lower down its body. His shining, gold-plated sword sank into the dragon, so that the fire pouring from it began to die down. Then the good King Beowulf regained his senses. He drew the short sword he carried on his shield, a cruel blade sharpened for battle. And the King of the Geats cut the dragon in two through the middle of its body. The monster fell flat, its life ended by their courage. Together, the two noble comrades in arms had killed the dragon. And that is how a thane should always help his lord in a time of need. That was the very last victory the prince won in his life’s work.

Then the wound which the Earth-dragon had formerly dealt him began to burn and to swell. And he soon discovered that the baleful venom was seething in his breast, the internal poison. Then the young noble looked on the giant’s work as he sat on a seat musing by the cliff wall, how arches of rock, firmly on columns held the eternal earth-house within. Then the most noble thane refreshed his blood-stained and famous Lord, his dear and friendly Prince with water, with his own hands, and loosened the helmet for the battle-sated warrior. And Beowulf spake, over his deathly pitiful wound, for well he knew that he had enjoyed the day’s while of his earthly joy: and the number of his days was all departed and death was coming very near.

Then the wound the Earth-dragon had given him began to burn and swell. He soon felt the deadly venom seething inside his chest. Then the young noble sat thinking beside the cliff wall, looking at the giant’s work. He saw how stone arches rested firmly on columns, supporting the everlasting house within the earth. Then the most noble thane used his own hands to refresh his bloodstained, famous lord with water. He loosened the helmet of his dear and kindly prince, a warrior weary from battle. And Beowulf spoke as he suffered from his dreadful, deadly wound. He knew well that he had enjoyed his allotted time of earthly happiness. All his days had passed, and death was drawing very near.

‘Now,’ said Beowulf, ‘I would have given battle-weeds to my son if any heir had been given to me of my body. I held sway over these peoples fifty years. And there was no folk-king of those who sat round about who dared to greet me with swords, or oppress with terror. At home have I bided my appointed time, and well I held my own⁷¹, nor did I seek out cunning feuds, nor did I swear many unrighteous oaths. And I, sick of my life-wounds, can have joy of all this. For the Wielder of men cannot reproach me with murder of kinsmen when my life shall pass forth from my body. Now do thou, beloved Wiglaf, go quickly and look on the hoard under the hoar stone, now that the dragon lieth prone and asleep sorely wounded and bereft of his treasure. And do thou make good speed that I may look upon the ancient gold treasures and yarely be feasting mine eyes upon the bright and cunning jewels, so that thereby after gazing on that wealth of treasure I may the more easily give up my life and my lordship over the people, whom I have ruled so long.’

‘Now,’ said Beowulf, ‘I would have given my armor to my son if I had fathered an heir. I ruled these peoples for fifty years. No king of the surrounding peoples dared to attack me with swords or threaten me with terror. I have stayed at home for my allotted time, and I defended what was mine well⁷¹. I did not stir up treacherous feuds or swear many false oaths. And now, dying from my wounds, I can take joy in all these things. For the Ruler of men cannot accuse me of murdering my relatives when my life leaves my body. Now, beloved Wiglaf, go quickly and look at the treasure beneath the gray stone. For the dragon now lies stretched out in sleep, badly wounded and stripped of his treasure. Hurry, so that I may look upon the ancient gold treasures and soon feast my eyes on the bright, skillfully crafted jewels. Then, after gazing at that wealth of treasure, I may more easily give up my life and my rule. I have ruled these people for so long.’