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balefire a barrow high； memorial mighty。 Of men was he worthiest warrior
wide earth o'er the while he had joy of his jewels and burg。 Let us set out
in haste now； the second time to see and search this store of treasure； these
wall…hid wonders； the way I show you； where； gathered near； ye may
gaze your fill at broad…gold and rings。 Let the bier； soon made； be all in
order when out we come； our king and captain to carry thither man
beloved where long he shall bide safe in the shelter of sovran God。〃
Then the bairn of Weohstan bade command； hardy chief； to heroes many
that owned their homesteads； hither to bring firewood from far o'er the
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folk they ruled for the famed…one's funeral。 〃 Fire shall devour and wan
flames feed on the fearless warrior who oft stood stout in the iron…shower；
when； sped from the string； a storm of arrows shot o'er the shield…wall： the
shaft held firm； featly feathered； followed the barb。〃 And now the sage
young son of Weohstan seven chose of the chieftain's thanes； the best he
found that band within； and went with these warriors； one of eight； under
hostile roof。 In hand one bore a lighted torch and led the way。 No lots they
cast for keeping the hoard when once the warriors saw it in hall； altogether
without a guardian； lying there lost。 And little they mourned when they
had hastily haled it out； dear…bought treasure！ The dragon they cast； the
worm； o'er the wall for the wave to take； and surges swallowed that
shepherd of gems。 Then the woven gold on a wain was laden countless
quite！ and the king was borne； hoary hero； to Hrones…Ness。
＇1＇ Probably the fugitive is meant who discovered the hoard。 Ten
Brink and Gering assume that the dragon is meant。 〃Hid〃 may well mean
here 〃took while in hiding。〃 ＇2＇ That is 〃one and a few others。〃 But
Beowulf seems to be indicated。 ＇3＇ Ten Brink points out the strongly
heathen character of this part of the epic。 Beowulf's end came； so the old
tradition ran； from his unwitting interference with spell…bound treasure。 ＇4＇
A hard saying； variously interpreted。 In any case； it is the somewhat
clumsy effort of the Christian poet to tone down the heathenism of his
material by an edifying observation。
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XLIII
THEN fashioned for him the folk of Geats firm on the earth a funeral…
pile； and hung it with helmets and harness of war and breastplates bright；
as the boon he asked； and they laid amid it the mighty chieftain； heroes
mourning their master dear。 Then on the hill that hugest of balefires the
warriors wakened。 Wood…smoke rose black over blaze； and blent was the
roar of flame with weeping （the wind was still）； till the fire had broken the
frame of bones； hot at the heart。 In heavy mood their misery moaned they；
their master's death。 Wailing her woe； the widow＇1＇ old； her hair upbound；
for Beowulf's death sung in her sorrow； and said full oft she dreaded the
doleful days to come； deaths enow； and doom of battle； and shame。 The
smoke by the sky was devoured。 The folk of the Weders fashioned there
on the headland a barrow broad and high； by ocean…farers far descried： in
ten days' time their toil had raised it； the battle…brave's beacon。 Round
brands of the pyre a wall they built； the worthiest ever that wit could
prompt in their wisest men。 They placed in the barrow that precious booty；
the rounds and the rings they had reft erewhile； hardy heroes； from hoard
in cave； trusting the ground with treasure of earls； gold in the earth；
where ever it lies useless to men as of yore it was。 Then about that barrow
the battle…keen rode； atheling…born； a band of twelve； lament to make； to
mourn their king； chant their dirge； and their chieftain honor。 They praised
his earlship； his acts of prowess worthily witnessed： and well it is that men
their master…friend mightily laud； heartily love； when hence he goes from
life in the body forlorn away。
Thus made their mourning the men of Geatland； for their hero's
passing his hearth…companions： quoth that of all the kings of earth； of men
he was mildest and most beloved； to his kin the kindest； keenest for praise。
＇1＇ Nothing is said of Beowulf's wife in the poem； but Bugge surmises
that Beowulf finally accepted Hygd's offer of kingdom and hoard； and； as
was usual； took her into the bargain。
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