162 ANGLING LITERATURE IN 



Oj who devoured people's children. It was hunted 

 throughout the country, but being closely pursued, it in- 

 stantly changed itself into a fish, and its pursuers became 

 fishers that they might capture and destroy it. 



There are many allusions in the oldest of our Saxon 

 legends to dreadful encounters with fish. In the poem 

 of Beowulf one of these fierce conflicts is very circum- 

 stantially related. Beowulf is a hero seeking adventure, 

 and doing his best, and displaying herculean feats in rid- 

 ding the world of dangerous and savage monsters of every 

 kind. He is supposed to have lived in the fourth and 

 fifth century, and to have belonged to the Angles, one of 

 the northern tribes inhabiting Sleswic and Jutland prior 

 to the Saxon settlement in England. The Hero has a dia- 

 logue with one Hunferth, who is envious at his fame and. 

 success ; and Beowulf, to maintain his character for real 

 daring and valour, addresses him thus ; giving an account 

 of his exploits in the deep witli its fierce and savage finny 

 monsters. 



Beo-wulf mathelode, Beowulf spoke, 



beam Ecg-thedwes : the son of Ecgtheow : 



c Hwaet ! thu worn fela * Lo ! thou for a long time 



wine min Hunfer [th], my friend Hunferth, 



beore druncen, drunken with beer, 



ymd Breean sprsece hast discoursed concerning Breca, 



ssegdest from his sithe j hast spoken respecting his journey ; 



sdth ic talige I tell thee the truth, 



thset ic mere-strengo that I possess 



niaran ahte, more of strength on the sea, 



