Section XXX

Beowulf predicts that the Heathobard prince Ingeld will be discomfited when Danish knights feast with the woman at his building, as Danish warriors will display treasures taken from Heathobards in past battles.

An elderly Heathobard warrior will stir up Ingeld's wrath by reminding him of the sword his father bore and was slain with, now worn by a Dane, urging him repeatedly to seek vengeance.

The result will be that the oaths binding Heathobards and Danes break as rancor grows in Ingeld, his love for his wife cools, and the treaty between the peoples proves false and unreliable.

Beowulf shifts from his warning about Ingeld to his account of encounters with Grendel, promising to tell the full story of what happened after the hand-to-hand combat.

Grendel's first victim was Hondscio, a distinguished warrior and well-beloved henchman, whom the monster completely devoured with his teeth.

Grendel attacked Beowulf intending not to escape empty-handed, and possessed a wondrous glove made of dragon-skin by demonic craft, into which he tried to force Beowulf despite the warrior's sinlessness.

Beowulf stood firm in anger and prevented Grendel from succeeding, retaliating against the monster for every evil it had committed against the Danes.

Through his labors and victory over Grendel, Beowulf brought pride and distinction to the land of the Geats.

Grendel retreated after his combat with Beowulf and lived only briefly longer before dying, leaving behind his severed hand as proof in Heorot.

The grateful friend of the Scyldings (Hrothgar) rewarded Beowulf lavishly with plated gold and many ornaments after daylight came.

After the reward, there was feasting with chanting and joy; the aging Scylding king asked many questions and shared old tales while a harpist played.

The age-stricken king, burdened by winters and weakened from his youthful might, grieved over the loss of his physical vigor as he recalled his former strength.

After learning of her son's death at the hands of the Geats, Grendel's mother, a horrible woman, journeyed forth and murdered a Danish hero in retaliation.

The aged adviser Æschere was killed by Grendel's mother, and she prevented the Danes from cremating his body, carrying off the corpse instead.

Devastated by this loss—the greatest pain he had ever suffered—Hrothgar desperately besought Beowulf to prove his prowess and risk his safety in pursuit of the creature.

Beowulf found the cruel monster in the flood-current's depths and engaged her in combat, with hand-to-hand struggle as gore filled the waters around them.

Beowulf hacked off Grendel's mother's head in the hall at the bottom of the water and barely escaped with his life, though he was not fated to perish.

After his victory over Grendel's mother, the warden of earlmen (Hrothgar, kinsman of Healfdene) gave Beowulf abundant jewels as reward.