e guardian of my people, seek the combat. I would not bear any
sword or other weapon against the dragon if I thought that I could
grapple with him as I did with the monster Grendel. But I fear that I
shall not be able to approach so close to this foe, for he will send
forth hot, raging fire and venomous breath. Yet am I resolute in mood,
fearless and resolved not to yield one foot's-breadth to the monster.

"Tarry ye here on the hill, my warriors, and watch which of us two will
survive the deadly combat, for this is no enterprise for you. I only can
attempt it, because such great strength has been given to me. Therefore
I will do battle alone and will either slay the dragon and win the
treasure for my people or fall in the fight, as destiny shall appoint."

When he had spoken thus Beowulf strode forward to the fight, armed with
his iron shield, his sword and his dagger. A stone arch spanned the
mouth of the cave, and on one side a boiling stream, hot as though with
raging fires, rushed forth. Undaunted by it, Beowulf uttered a shout to
summon the dragon to the fight. Immediately a burning breath from the
monster came out of the rock, the earth rumbled and then the dragon
rushed forth to meet his fate.

Standing with his huge shield held well before him, Beowulf received the
attack and struck from beneath his shield at the monster's side. But his
blade failed him and turned aside, and the blow but served to enrage
the dragon, so that he darted forth such blasting rays of deadly fire
that Beowulf was well nigh overwhelmed and the fight went hard with him.

Now his eleven chosen comrades could see the combat from where they
stood; and one of them, Beowulf's kinsman Wiglaf, was moved to great
sorrow at the sight of his lord's distress. At last he could bear it no
longer, but grasped his wooden shield and his sword and cried to the
other thanes:

"Remember how we promised our lord in the banquet-hall, when he gave us
our helmets and swords and battle-gear, that we would one day repay him
for his gifts. Now is the day come that our liege lord has need of the
strength of good warriors. We must go help him, even though he thought
to accomplish this mighty work alone, for we can never return to our
homes if we have not slain the enemy and saved our king's life. Rather
than live when he is dead, I will perish with him in this deadly fire."

Then he rushed through the noisome smoke to his lord's side, crying:

"Dear Beowulf,