Part XL

A PERILOUS path, it proved, he trodwho heinously hid, that hall within,wealth under wall! Its watcher had killedone of a few, and the feud was avengedin woful fashion. Wondrous seems it,what manner a man of might and valoroft ends his life, when the earl no longerin mead-hall may live with loving friends.So Beowulf, when that barrow's wardenhe sought, and the struggle; himself knew notin what wise he should wend from the world at last.For princes potent, who placed the gold,with a curse to doomsday covered it deep,so that marked with sin the man should be,hedged with horrors, in hell-bonds fast,racked with plagues, who should rob their hoard.Yet no greed for gold, but the grace of heaven,ever the king had kept in view.Wiglaf spake, the son of Weohstan: --"At the mandate of one, oft warriors manysorrow must suffer; and so must we.The people's-shepherd showed not aughtof care for our counsel, king beloved!That guardian of gold he should grapple not, urged we,but let him lie where he long had beenin his earth-hall waiting the end of the world,the hest of heaven. -- This hoard is oursbut grievously gotten; too grim the fatewhich thither carried our king and lord.I was within there, and all I viewed,the chambered treasure, when chance allowed me(and my path was made in no pleasant wise)under the earth-wall. Eager, I seizedsuch heap from the hoard as hands could bearand hurriedly carried it hither backto my liege and lord. Alive was he still,still wielding his wits. The wise old manspake much in his sorrow, and sent you greetingsand bade that ye build, when he breathed no more,on the place of his balefire a barrow high,memorial mighty. Of men was heworthiest warrior wide earth o'erthe while he had joy of his jewels and burg.Let us set out in haste now, the second timeto see and search this store of treasure,these wall-hid wonders, -- the way I show you, --where, gathered near, ye may gaze your fillat 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 bidesafe in the shelter of sovran God."Then the bairn of Weohstan bade command,hardy chief, to heroes manythat owned their homesteads, hither to bringfirewood from far -- o'er the folk they ruled --for the famed-one's funeral. " Fire shall devourand wan flames feed on the fearless warriorwho oft stood stout in the iron-shower,when, sped from the string, a storm of arrowsshot o'er the shield-wall: the shaft held firm,featly feathered, followed the barb."And now the sage young son of Weohstanseven 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 borea lighted torch and led the way.No lots they cast for keeping the hoardwhen once the warriors saw it in hall,altogether without a guardian,lying there lost. And little they mournedwhen 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.