elf when he rode to practice the sword-game. These also he gave
to Beowulf, thus like a true man requiting his valiant deeds with horses
and other precious gifts. He bestowed treasures also on each of
Beowulf's followers and gave orders that a price should be paid in gold
for the man whom the wicked Grendel had slain.

After this there arose within the hall the din of voices and the sound
of song; the instruments also were brought out and Hrothgar's minstrel
sang a ballad for the delight of the warriors. Waltheow too came forth,
bearing in her train presents for Beowulf--a cup, two armlets, raiment
and rings, and the largest and richest collar that could be found in all
the world.

Now when evening came Hrothgar departed to his rest, and the warriors
cleared the hall and lay down to sleep once more, with their shields and
armor beside them as was their custom. But Beowulf was not with them,
for another resting-place had been assigned to him that night, for all
thought that there was now no longer any danger to be feared.

But in this they were mistaken, as they soon learnt to their cost. For
no sooner were they all asleep than Grendel's mother, a monstrous witch
who dwelt at the bottom of a cold mere, came to Heorot to avenge her son
and burst into the hall. The thanes started up in terror, hastily
grasping their swords; but she seized upon Asher, the most beloved of
Hrothgar's warriors, who still lay sleeping, and bore him off with her
to the fens, carrying also with her Grendel's arm, which lay at one end
of the hall.

Then there arose an uproar and the sound of mourning in Heorot. In
fierce and gloomy mood Hrothgar summoned Beowulf and told him the
ghastly tale, begging him, if he dared, to go forth to seek out the
monster and destroy it.

Full of courage, Beowulf answered with cheerful words, promising that
Grendel's mother should not escape him; and soon he was riding forth
fully equipped on his quest, accompanied by Hrothgar and many a good
warrior. They were able to follow the witch's tracks right through the
forest glades and across the gloomy moor, till they came to a spot where
some mountain trees bent over a hoar rock, beneath which lay a dreary
and troubled lake; and there beside the water's edge lay the head of
Asher, and they knew that the witch must be at the bottom of the water.

Full of grief, the warriors sat down, while Beowulf arrayed himself in
his cunningly fashioned coat of mail and his rich