Wiglaf’s Sad Story—The Hoard Carried Off
Then ’twas seen that the journey prospered him little Who wrongly within had the ornaments hidden Down ’neath the wall. The warden erst slaughtered Some few of the folk-troop: the feud then thereafter Was hotly avengèd. ’Tis a wonder where, When the strength-famous trooper has attained to the end of Life-days allotted, then no longer the man may Remain with his kinsmen where mead-cups are flowing. So to Beowulf happened when the ward of the barrow, Assaults, he sought for: himself had no knowledge How his leaving this life was likely to happen. So to doomsday, famous folk-leaders down did Call it with curses—who ’complished it there— That that man should be ever of ill-deeds convicted, Confined in foul-places, fastened in hell-bonds, Punished with plagues, who this place should e’er ravage. He cared not for gold: rather the Wielder’s Favor preferred he first to get sight of. Wiglaf discoursed then, Wihstan his son: “Oft many an earlman on one man’s account must Sorrow endure, as to us it hath happened. The liegelord belovèd we could little prevail on, Kingdom’s keeper, counsel to follow, Not to go to the guardian of the gold-hoard, but let him Lie where he long was, live in his dwelling Till the end of the world. Met we a destiny Hard to endure: the hoard has been looked at, Been gained very grimly; too grievous the fate that The prince of the people pricked to come thither. I was therein and all of it looked at, The building’s equipments, since access was given me, Not kindly at all entrance permitted Within under earth-wall. Hastily seized I And held in my hands a huge-weighing burden Of hoard-treasures costly, hither out bare them To my liegelord belovèd: life was yet in him, And consciousness also; the old one discoursed then Much and mournfully, commanded to greet you, Bade that remembering the deeds of your friend-lord Ye build on the fire-hill