Section 10
The Messenger Foretells the Doom of the Geats
A messenger is dispatched to tell the deaths of Beowulf and the dragon.
Messenger's
speech: When the news of Beowulf’s death will be made known,
Geatland will be put in danger of war by the Frisians and Franks, for it is well
known that a fierce feud arose with the Franks when Beowulf attacked the
Frisians, and Hetware defeated the Geats, and Hygelac himself fell in battle.
I also hold no hope of peace from the Swedes, as it is known that
Ongtheow had killed Haethcyn, Hrethel’s son near Ravenswood. The Geats, under
Haethcyn, had captured Ongtheow’s queen, and the latter managed to rescue her,
and drove the Geats to Ravenswood, where much slaughter had ensued and Haethcyn
died. In the morning, however, Hygelac had come with reinforcements, and driven
Ongtheow to his fortress. The fort was stormed and a fight ensued between
Windred’s son, Wulf and Ongtheow, and Wulf was grievously wounded. Wulf’s
brother, Eofor took revenge and killed Ongtheow. Hygelac then had rewarded both
Wulf and Eofor with a hundred thousand acres, and also given to Eofor his
daughter in marriage. This is the feud of which I am scared, now that our king
is no more, for it is his might that had defended the kingdom. The treasure, so
dearly gained, shall be useless for it will be burnt with the king.
The messenger finishes speaking and the men go to look at their king and
the dragon, fifty feet long, lying on the ground. The treasure lay strewn about.
A spell had been cast on the treasure by the lord who had buried it, to the
effect that whoever tried to plunder it, would pay for the evil by being sent to
hell, except the one, chosen by God, to invade and gather the treasure. Thus it
had been the fate of Beowulf to get the treasure and meet his death thus.
Beowulf’s Funeral
Wyglaf along with 7 warriors gather the treasure and carry the king along
with it to the Cape of Whale. A pyre is built with helmets and shields
surrounding it, and it is lit. The warriors sing a dirge and an old woman wails
in sorrow, proclaiming that the bloodshed, shame and bondage is soon going to
beset the Geats. For 10 days, the
Geats work on the barrow, burying the ash from the funeral as well as the
treasure in it, till a high mound is built. Then 12 brave warriors ride around
it, bemoaning the death of the king, and of their sorrow, and sing a dirge
highlighting his valor, and praising him for being the kindest and gentlest of
kings, and foe being most mindful of his glory.
