Then I heard that at need of the king of the people The upstanding earlman exhibited prowess, Vigor and courage, as suited his nature; He his head did not guard, but the high-minded liegeman’s Hand was consumed, when he succored his kinsman, So he struck the strife-bringing strange-comer lower, Earl-thane in armor, that in went the weapon Gleaming and plated, that ’gan then the fire Later to lessen. The liegelord himself then Retained his consciousness, brandished his war-knife, Battle-sharp, bitter, that he bare on his armor: The Weder-lord cut the worm in the middle. They had felled the enemy (life drove out then Puissant prowess), the pair had destroyed him, Land-chiefs related: so a liegeman should prove him, A thaneman when needed. To the prince ’twas the last of His era of conquest by his own great achievements, The latest of world-deeds. The wound then began Which the earth-dwelling dragon erstwhile had wrought him To burn and to swell. He soon then discovered