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THE STORY OF BEOWULF AND THE 

 FIFE DRAKE 



Beowulf was a wise King, and had ruled his country 

 well for fifty years, during which nothing had happened 

 to mar the happiness of him or his subjects. But now 

 trouble was about to arise. Hidden away in a mound of 

 earth was a vast store of treasure, gold, silver, jewels 

 of great price, and this hoard for three hundred years had 

 been guarded by a monstrous Fire Drake. One night, 

 while this dragon slept, a man succeeded in entering 

 the storehouse, from which he stole a cup and many 

 valuable jewels. When the serpent awoke its rage knew 

 no bounds ; it came forth from its cave, endeavouring to 

 track the man, whose footsteps it could see on the shore, 

 but without success. So it waited till evening, vowing 

 that many should pay dearly for that drinking-cup. 

 Then again it came forth, wandered all over the country 

 at night, setting every house it could see on fire, for its 

 scorching breath and the brands it carried with it were 

 irresistible. Beowulf's own home, in common with others, 

 was destroyed, whereupon he bethought him of vengeance, 

 remembering how of old he had been successful in quite 

 as dangerous undertakings, and how he had outlived 

 every quarrel, every perilous enterprise. Knowing well 

 that no ordinary defence would avail him anything 

 against the Fire Drake, he had fashioned for himself 

 a curious battle shield, all of iron. Choosing eleven 

 companions, he went to look for the dragon ; the way 



