XLI

Eagle’s Cape sadly betook them, Weeping and woeful, the wonder to look at. They saw on the sand then soulless a-lying, His slaughter-bed holding, him who rings had given them In days that were done; then the death-bringing moment Was come to the good one, that the king very warlike, Wielder of Weders, with wonder-death perished. First they beheld there a creature more wondrous, The worm on the field, in front of them lying, The foeman before them: the fire-spewing dragon, Ghostly and grisly guest in his terrors, Was scorched in the fire; as he lay there he measured Fifty of feet; came forth in the night-time To rejoice in the air, thereafter departing To visit his den; he in death was then fastened, He would joy in no other earth-hollowed caverns. There stood round about him beakers and vessels, Dishes were lying and dear-valued weapons, With iron-rust eaten, as in earth’s mighty bosom A thousand of winters there they had rested: That mighty bequest then with magic was guarded, Gold of the ancients, that earlman not any The ring-hall could touch, save Ruling-God only, Sooth-king of Vict’ries gave whom He wished to (He is earth-folk’s protector) to open the treasure, E’en to such among mortals as seemed to Him proper.