44 BEOWULF AND THE FIRE DBAKE 



was hard to find, so the man who had been the cause of 

 all the mischief went with the little band as a guide : 

 indeed, he was the only one who knew where the dragon's 

 hoard was to be found ; besides, he was very much 

 ashamed of himself, and was anxious to do all in his 

 power to atone for the disasters which his theft had 

 brought about. 



When they arrived at the Fire Drake's lair, which 

 was near the sea, they saw an arch of stone, and a 

 stream issuing out of it from the mound. The water 

 was so hot, by reason of the dragon's flame continually 

 beating upon it, that a man could not bear his hand in it 

 for any length of time. Beowulf told his companions to 

 wait outside, whilst he himself went into the cave. The 

 Fire Drake, hearing his footfall and his voice, knew at once 

 that an enemy was near, so it coiled itself up ready to 

 spring to the attack. Blazing like a live coal, it advanced 

 with a rush, Beowulf defending himself as best he could 

 with his shield. He dealt the monster a terrible blow 

 with his sword, which, however, failed to hurt it, indeed, it 

 only roused it to greater fury. Breathing flames the Fire 

 Drake pressed the valiant King to the utmost extremity, 

 and it seemed as if it was to go ill with him that day. 

 His companions, too cowardly to help him, watched 

 the combat in terror, crouching dowm in the wood near 

 by to save their lives. Yet there was one among them, 

 Wiglaf by name, who plucked up courage to try to help 

 the King, for he remembered how kind Beowulf had been 

 to him in former days, in granting him a wealthy manor, 

 and other favours, and besides, he was in a way related 

 to him. So this brave young warrior grasped his shield 

 of yellow linden wood, and drew his sword, rushing 

 through the smoke to help his liege lord. ' Dear Beowulf,' 

 cried he, ' have courage ; remember how thou did'st say 

 aforetime that glory should never depart from thee ; now 

 must thou defend thy life to the uttermost — see, I come 

 to help thee.' On rushed the serpent against its new 



