Section XXII

Beowulf counsels the grieving king that it is better to avenge a friend than to mourn, and that all men must face death—the true honor lies in performing deeds of glory before that end comes.

Beowulf vows that Grendel's mother cannot escape him, whether she flees to earth, forest, or ocean depths.

The king rises up, thanks God for Beowulf's encouraging words, and commands his war-horse to be prepared.

Hrothgar and his earl-troop proceed on horseback, following the monster's footprints through the murky fen-country where she dragged away one of the king's best retainers.

The party journeys over steep cliffs, narrow passages, and unfamiliar paths, with Beowulf advancing ahead until he discovers a mountain wood hanging over hoar-stones with gory water below.

When the party discovers Æschere's severed head on the cliff, surrounded by blood and gore in the seething water, it causes great sorrow among Hrothgar's men.

A war-horn signals the readiness for battle, and the assembled troops gaze upon the waters ahead.

The water teems with serpents and sea-dragons that make their sorrowful journeys through the deep, along with other wild beasts.

When the creatures hear the war-trumpet, Beowulf shoots one of the Geat-prince with an arrow, piercing its vitals and pulling it from the sea.

The creature's corpse, now helpless in death, is attacked by the Danes with sword-pointed spears and dragged to the cliff-edge.

Beowulf cares little for his life and puts on his hand-woven corslet and light-flashing helmet, treasures wrought with ancient craftsmanship and adorned with swine-bodies to prevent sword-blows from harming him.

Unferth lends Beowulf an old, poison-blotted sword named Hrunting that has never failed any hero who wielded it, even in the most terrible journeys.

Unlike Beowulf, Unferth boasted drunken words but lacked the courage to venture into the dangerous currents himself, thus forfeiting the glory he had claimed.