Section XXXII

The passage establishes that a desperate warrior, fleeing from deadly foes, takes shelter inside an ancient burial mound to escape harm.

The narrator describes the vast treasure lying in the earth-cave: ancient ornaments and jewels that were deliberately deposited there long ago by an illustrious ancestor as a precious legacy.

The final survivor of his people, left to guard the treasure, entombs it with solemn ceremony, mourning all his fallen kinsmen.

The burial-master speaks a mournful dirge, entrusting the treasure to the earth and lamenting the death of all his warriors, his craftsmen, and the loss of all earthly joys and martial glory.

The sorrowing keeper mourns ceaselessly until death itself overwhelms his spirit, leaving the treasure unguarded.

The old fire-breathing dragon, who has guarded precious hoards for centuries, finds this treasure exposed and accessible.

The passage establishes that the dragon had maintained possession of this excellent treasure-hall for three centuries until a certain warrior came and disturbed it.

The desperate servant brings the treasure to his chieftain, begging forgiveness for his transgression, which leads to the hoard being discovered and removed.

The lord examines the ancient earthwork and treasure for the first time in its history, unaware this will precipitate disaster.

Upon waking, the dragon immediately smells the scent of an enemy and discovers that someone has ventured perilously close to its head.

The narrator observes that only those blessed with divine favor can escape anguish and exile from such a creature's vengeance.

The hoard-warden eagerly searches the entire barrow seeking the person who stole from him while he slept, ready for battle.

Though finding no earthly foe in the desert cavern, the dragon rejoices in the prospect of battle and repeatedly returns to check the treasure.

The dragon discovers clear evidence that someone has found and taken his gold and treasure, confirming his worst suspicions.

Enraged by the theft of his precious cup, the dragon becomes angry in spirit and vows to exact payment with fire and destruction.

The dragon, no longer willing to wait, departs in flames on a mission of vengeance, bringing terrible destruction upon the people and their king.