Legends of the Middle Ages | Page 6

had naturally lost much of his former vigor, and
was therefore somewhat dismayed when a terrible, fire-breathing
dragon took up its abode in the mountains near by, where it gloated
over a hoard of glittering gold.
"The ranger of the darksome night, The Firedrake, came." Beowulf
(Conybeare's tr.)
[Sidenote: The Firedrake.] A fugitive slave, having made his way
unseen into the monster's den during one of its temporary absences,
bore away a small portion of this gold. On its return the Firedrake
discovered the theft, and became so furious that its howling and
writhing shook the mountain like an earthquake. When night came on
its rage was still unappeased, and it flew all over the land, vomiting
venom and flames, setting houses and crops afire, and causing so much
damage that the people were almost beside themselves with terror.
Seeing that all their attempts to appease the dragon were utterly
fruitless, and being afraid to attack it in its lair, they finally implored
Beowulf to deliver them as he had delivered the Danes, and to slay this
oppressor, which was even worse than the terrible Grendel.

Such an appeal could not be disregarded, and in spite of his advanced
years Beowulf donned his armor once more. Accompanied by Wiglaf
and eleven of his bravest men, he then went out to seek the monster in
its lair. At the entrance of the mountain gorge Beowulf bade his
followers pause, and advancing alone to the monster's den, he boldly
challenged it to come forth and begin the fray. A moment later the
mountain shook as the monster rushed out breathing fire and flame, and
Beowulf felt the first gust of its hot breath, even through his massive
shield.
"First from his lair Shaking firm earth, and vomiting as he strode A foul
and fiery blast, the monster came." Beowulf (Conybeare's tr.).
A desperate struggle followed, in the course of which Beowulf's sword
and strength both failed him. The Firedrake coiled its long, scaly folds
about the aged hero, and was about to crush him to death when the
faithful Wiglaf, perceiving his master's imminent danger, sprang
forward and attacked the monster so fiercely as to cause a diversion and
make it drop Beowulf to concentrate its attention upon him.
Beowulf, recovering, then drew his dagger and soon put an end to the
dragon's life; but even as it breathed its last the hero sank fainting to the
ground. Feeling that his end was near, he warmly thanked Wiglaf for
his timely aid, rejoiced in the death of the monster, and bade his
faithful follower bring out the concealed treasure and lay it at his feet,
that he might feast his eyes upon the glittering gold he had won for his
people's use.
"Saw then the bold thane Treasure jewels many, Glittering gold Heavy
on the ground, Wonders in the mound And the worm's den, The old
twilight flier's, Bowls standing; Vessels of men of yore, With the
mountings fall'n off. There was many a helm Old and rusty, Armlets
many Cunningly fastened. He also saw hang heavily An ensign all
golden High o'er the hoard, Of hand wonders greatest, Wrought by
spells of song, From which shot a light So that he the ground surface
Might perceive, The wonders overscan." Beowulf (Metcalfe's tr.).
[Sidenote: Death of Beowulf.] The mighty treasure was all brought
forth to the light of day, and the followers, seeing that all danger was
over, crowded round their dying chief. He addressed them
affectionately, and, after recapitulating the main events his career,
expressed a desire to be buried in a mighty mound on a projecting

headland, which could be seen far out at sea, and would be called by
his name.
"'And now, Short while I tarry here--when I am gone, Bid them upon
yon headland's summit rear A lofty mound, by Rona's seagirt cliff; So
shall my people hold to after times Their chieftain's memory, and the
mariners That drive afar to sea, oft as they pass, Shall point to
Beowulf's tomb.'" _Beowulf_(Conybeare's tr.).
These directions were all piously carried out by a mourning people,
who decked his mound with the gold he had won, and erected above it
a Bauta, or memorial stone, to show how dearly they had loved their
brave king Beowulf, who had died to save them from the fury of the
dragon.

CHAPTER II.

GUDRUN.
Maximilian I., Emperor of Germany, rendered a great service to
posterity by ordering that copies of many of the ancient national
manuscripts should be made. These copies were placed in the imperial
library at Vienna, where, after several centuries of almost complete
neglect, they were discovered by lovers of early literature, in a very
satisfactory state of preservation. These manuscripts then excited the
interest of learned men, who