ABSTRACT
Beowulf the Grendel-slayer, king of the Weder-Geats, has died of the wounds the treasure-dragon had given him. By him sits his closest relative Wiglaf, keeping watch over the body. A messenger hurries to the hall and brings the men the sad news. At the same time he casts a glance over the state of the now lordless land-a glance to the south, a glance to the north-everywhere trouble rises up like gloomy clouds. Here, in Sweden, Ongentheow the chief of the Scylfings fell beneath the strokes of the Weder-Geats, and they have not forgotten it; there the Weder-Geats provoked the revenge of the Franks and Frisians by Hygelac’s attack: war is to be expected, when they hear of the fall of the king. The messenger concludes his recollection of Hygelac’s unfortunate expedition with the words
us wæs a siððan Merewioinga milts ungyfeðe.
