XXXVI

WIGLAF THE TRUSTY.--BEOWULF IS DESERTED BY FRIENDS AND BY SWORD.

{Wiglaf remains true--the ideal Teutonic liegeman.}

      The son of Weohstan was Wiglaf entitled,
      Shield-warrior precious, prince of the Scylfings,
      Ælfhere's kinsman: he saw his dear liegelord
      Enduring the heat 'neath helmet and visor.
    5 Then he minded the holding that erst he had given him,

{Wiglaf recalls Beowulf's generosity.}

      The Wægmunding warriors' wealth-blessèd homestead,
      Each of the folk-rights his father had wielded;
      He was hot for the battle, his hand seized the target,
      The yellow-bark shield, he unsheathed his old weapon,
   10 Which was known among earthmen as the relic of Eanmund,
      Ohthere's offspring, whom, exiled and friendless,
      Weohstan did slay with sword-edge in battle,
      And carried his kinsman the clear-shining helmet,
      The ring-made burnie, the old giant-weapon
   15 That Onela gave him, his boon-fellow's armor,
      Ready war-trappings: he the feud did not mention,
      Though he'd fatally smitten the son of his brother.
      Many a half-year held he the treasures,
      The bill and the burnie, till his bairn became able,
   20 Like his father before him, fame-deeds to 'complish;
      Then he gave him 'mong Geatmen a goodly array of
      Weeds for his warfare; he went from life then
      Old on his journey. 'Twas the earliest time then

{This is Wiglaf's first battle as liegeman of Beowulf.}

      That the youthful champion might charge in the battle
   25 Aiding his liegelord; his spirit was dauntless.
      Nor did kinsman's bequest quail at the battle:
      This the dragon discovered on their coming together.
      Wiglaf uttered many a right-saying,
      Said to his fellows, sad was his spirit:

{Wiglaf appeals to the pride of the cowards.}

   30 "I remember the time when, tasting the mead-cup,
      We promised in the hall the lord of us all

[89] Who gave us these ring-treasures, that this battle-equipment, Swords and helmets, we'd certainly quite him, Should need of such aid ever befall him:

{How we have forfeited our liegelord's confidence!}

   35 In the war-band he chose us for this journey spontaneously,
      Stirred us to glory and gave me these jewels,
      Since he held and esteemed us trust-worthy spearmen,
      Hardy helm-bearers, though this hero-achievement
      Our lord intended alone to accomplish,
   40 Ward of his people, for most of achievements,
      Doings audacious, he did among earth-folk.

{Our lord is in sore need of us.}

      The day is now come when the ruler of earthmen
      Needeth the vigor of valiant heroes:
      Let us wend us towards him, the war-prince to succor,
   45 While the heat yet rageth, horrible fire-fight.

{I would rather die than go home with out my suzerain.}

      God wot in me, 'tis mickle the liefer
      The blaze should embrace my body and eat it
      With my treasure-bestower. Meseemeth not proper
      To bear our battle-shields back to our country,
   50 'Less first we are able to fell and destroy the
      Long-hating foeman, to defend the life of

{Surely he does not deserve to die alone.}

      The prince of the Weders. Well do I know 'tisn't
      Earned by his exploits, he only of Geatmen
      Sorrow should suffer, sink in the battle:
   55 Brand and helmet to us both shall be common,
      [1]Shield-cover, burnie." Through the bale-smoke he stalked then,
      Went under helmet to the help of his chieftain,

{Wiglaf reminds Beowulf of his youthful boasts.}

      Briefly discoursing: "Beowulf dear,
      Perform thou all fully, as thou formerly saidst,
   60 In thy youthful years, that while yet thou livedst

[90] Thou wouldst let thine honor not ever be lessened. Thy life thou shalt save, mighty in actions, Atheling undaunted, with all of thy vigor;

{The monster advances on them.}

      I'll give thee assistance." The dragon came raging,
   65 Wild-mooded stranger, when these words had been uttered
      ('Twas the second occasion), seeking his enemies,
      Men that were hated, with hot-gleaming fire-waves;
      With blaze-billows burned the board to its edges:
      The fight-armor failed then to furnish assistance
   70 To the youthful spear-hero: but the young-agèd stripling
      Quickly advanced 'neath his kinsman's war-target,
      Since his own had been ground in the grip of the fire.

{Beowulf strikes at the dragon.}

      Then the warrior-king was careful of glory,
      He soundly smote with sword-for-the-battle,
   75 That it stood in the head by hatred driven;
      Nægling was shivered, the old and iron-made

{His sword fails him.}

      Brand of Beowulf in battle deceived him.
      'Twas denied him that edges of irons were able
      To help in the battle; the hand was too mighty
   80 [2]Which every weapon, as I heard on inquiry,
      Outstruck in its stroke, when to struggle he carried
      The wonderful war-sword: it waxed him no better.

{The dragon advances on Beowulf again.}

      Then the people-despoiler--third of his onsets--
      Fierce-raging fire-drake, of feud-hate was mindful,
   85 Charged on the strong one, when chance was afforded,
      Heated and war-grim, seized on his neck
      With teeth that were bitter; he bloody did wax with
      Soul-gore seething; sword-blood in waves boiled.

[1] The passage '_Brand ... burnie_,' is much disputed. In the first
place, some eminent critics assume a gap of at least two
half-verses.--'Úrum' (2660), being a peculiar form, has been much
discussed. 'Byrdu-scrúd' is also a crux. B. suggests 'býwdu-scrúd' =
_splendid vestments_. Nor is 'bám' accepted by all, 'béon' being
suggested. Whatever the individual words, the passage must mean, "_I
intend to share with him my equipments of defence_."

[2] B. would render: _Which, as I heard, excelled in stroke every
sword that he carried to the strife, even the strongest (sword)._ For
'Þonne' he reads 'Þone,' rel. pr.

[91]