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Then straightway I heard tell how the son of Weohstan, after these words had been spoken, obeyed the behest of his lord, who was sick of his wounds, and carried the ring-net and the coat of mail adorned, under the roof of the barrow. And as Wiglaf, exulting in victory, came by the seat, he saw many gems shining and shaped like the sun⁷² and gleaming gold all lying on the ground, and wondrous decorations on the wall, and he saw too the den of the dragon, the ancient twilight-flier, and flagons standing there and vessels of men of days long gone by, no longer polished but shorn of adornment. And there also was many a helmet, ancient and rusty, and many arm-rings cunningly twisted.

Then I heard how, immediately after these words, the son of Weohstan obeyed his lord’s command. His lord was suffering from his wounds. Wiglaf carried the ring-net and decorated coat of mail under the roof of the burial mound. As Wiglaf approached the seat, rejoicing in victory, he saw many shining gems shaped like the sun⁷². Gleaming gold lay all over the ground, and wonderful decorations covered the wall. He also saw the den of the dragon, the ancient twilight-flier. Large drinking jugs stood there, along with vessels belonging to people from long ago, no longer polished and stripped of decoration. There were also many ancient, rusty helmets and many skillfully twisted arm-rings.

The possession of treasure and of gold on the earth may easily make proud all of mankind, let him hide it who will. Likewise he saw the all-gilded banner lying high over the hoard, that greatest of wondrous handiwork and all woven by the skill of human hands. And therefrom went forth a ray of light, so that he could see the floor of the cave, and look carefully at the jewels. And there was no sign of the dragon, for the sword-edge had carried him off.

Owning treasure and gold on earth may easily make all people proud. Let whoever wishes hide such wealth. Likewise, he saw the banner covered in gold lying high above the hoard. It was the greatest of wondrous works, woven entirely by skilled human hands. Light shone from the banner, so he could see the cave floor and examine the jewels closely. And there was no sign of the dragon, for the sword’s edge had killed him.

Then I heard tell how in that barrow one at his own doom⁷³ plundered the hoard, that old work of giants, and bore away on his arms both cups and dishes. And the banner also he took, that brightest of beacons. Beowulf’s sword, with its iron edge, had formerly injured him who had been the protector of these treasures for a long time, and had waged fierce flame-terror, because of the hoard fiercely welling in the midnight hour until he was killed.

Then I heard how a man met his own doom⁷³ plundering the hoard in that burial mound. The treasure was the ancient work of giants. He carried away cups and dishes in his arms. He also took the banner, the brightest of beacons. Beowulf’s iron-edged sword had earlier wounded the creature that had long guarded these treasures. Because of the hoard, the guardian had unleashed fierce, terrifying flames, raging at midnight until he was killed.

The messenger⁷⁴ was in haste, and eager for the return journey, and laden with jewels, and curiosity tormented him as to whether he would find the bold-minded Prince of the Geats alive on the battle-field, and bereft of strength where before he had left him. Then he with the treasures found the glorious lord, his own dear master, at the last gasp, and all stained with blood. And he began to throw water upon him, until the power of speech brake through his mind, and Beowulf spake, and with sorrow he looked upon the hoard.

The messenger⁷⁴ hurried, eager to return and loaded with jewels. He was tormented by wondering whether he would find the brave Prince of the Geats alive on the battlefield. Would the prince still be where he had left him, drained of strength? Then the messenger, carrying the treasures, found the glorious lord, his own dear master, gasping his last breaths. Beowulf was all stained with blood. The messenger began splashing water on him until Beowulf regained the power to speak. Then Beowulf spoke, looking sorrowfully at the hoard.

‘I would utter words of thanks to the Lord and wondrous King, to the eternal God, for the treasures which now I am looking upon that I have managed to obtain them for my dear people before my death-day. Now that I have in exchange for this hoard of treasure sold my life in my old age, and laid it down, do thou still be helping the people in their need, for I may no longer be lingering here. Do thou bid the famous warriors erect a burial-mound, after the burning of the funeral pyre, at the edge of the sea, which shall tower aloft on Whale’s Ness, as a memorial for my people, and so the sea-farers shall call it the Hill of Beowulf, even those who drive the high ships from afar through the mists of the flood.’

‘I would give thanks to the Lord, the wondrous King, the eternal God, for the treasures I now see. I have managed to win these treasures for my dear people before my death. Now, in my old age, I have given my life in exchange for this hoard of treasure. Keep helping the people in their need, for I can no longer stay here. Tell the famous warriors to build a burial mound at the sea’s edge after the funeral pyre has burned. The mound shall tower high on Whale’s Ness as a memorial for my people. Then seafarers shall call it the Hill of Beowulf, even those who steer tall ships from afar through sea mists.’

Then he the bold Prince doffed from his neck the golden ring. And he gave it to his thane, to the young spear-warrior, the gold-adorned helmet, the ring, and the byrny, and bade him enjoy it well. ‘Thou, O Wiglaf,’ he said, ‘art the last heir of our race, of that of the Waegmundings. Weird has swept away all my kinsmen to their fated doom, all the earls in their strength, and I shall follow after them.’

Then the brave prince took the gold ring from his neck. He gave his thane, the young spear-warrior, the gold-decorated helmet, the ring, and the coat of mail. He told him to enjoy these gifts. ‘You, Wiglaf,’ he said, ‘are the last heir of our family, the Waegmundings. Fate has swept all my kinsmen away to their destined deaths, all the earls in their strength. And I will follow them.’

Now that was the very last word of the old warrior’s breast thoughts, ere he chose the funeral pyre the hot wave-whelmings. And his soul went forth from his breast to be seeking the doom of the truth-fast ones.

Those were the last words from the old warrior’s heart. He spoke them before he chose the funeral pyre and its engulfing flames. And his soul left his body to seek the judgment awaiting those faithful to the truth.