[Sidenote:  The Firedrake.] A fugitive slave, having made his way unseen into the monster’s den during one of its temporary absences, bore away a small portion of this gold.  On its return the Firedrake discovered the theft, and became so furious that its howling and writhing shook the mountain like an earthquake.  When night came on its rage was still unappeased, and it flew all over the land, vomiting venom and flames, setting houses and crops afire, and causing so much damage that the people were almost beside themselves with terror.  Seeing that all their attempts to appease the dragon were utterly fruitless, and being afraid to attack it in its lair, they finally implored Beowulf to deliver them as he had delivered the Danes, and to slay this oppressor, which was even worse than the terrible Grendel.

Such an appeal could not be disregarded, and in spite of his advanced years Beowulf donned his armor once more.  Accompanied by Wiglaf and eleven of his bravest men, he then went out to seek the monster in its lair.  At the entrance of the mountain gorge Beowulf bade his followers pause, and advancing alone to the monster’s den, he boldly challenged it to come forth and begin the fray.  A moment later the mountain shook as the monster rushed out breathing fire and flame, and Beowulf felt the first gust of its hot breath, even through his massive shield.

                        “First from his lair

Shaking firm earth, and vomiting as he strode
A foul and fiery blast, the monster came.”

          
                                                Beowulf (Conybeare’s tr.).

A desperate struggle followed, in the course of which Beowulf’s sword and strength both failed him.  The Firedrake coiled its long, scaly folds about the aged hero, and was about to crush him to death when the faithful Wiglaf, perceiving his master’s imminent danger, sprang forward and attacked the monster so fiercely as to cause a diversion and make it drop Beowulf to concentrate its attention upon him.

Beowulf, recovering, then drew his dagger and soon put an end to the dragon’s life; but even as it breathed its last the hero sank fainting to the ground.  Feeling that his end was near, he warmly thanked Wiglaf for his timely aid, rejoiced in the death of the monster, and bade his faithful follower bring out the concealed treasure and lay it at his feet, that he might feast his eyes upon the glittering gold he had won for his people’s use.

   “Saw then the bold thane
    Treasure jewels many,
    Glittering gold
    Heavy on the ground,
    Wonders in the mound
    And the worm’s den,
    The old twilight flier’s,
    Bowls standing;
    Vessels of men of yore,
    With the mountings fall’n off. 
    There was many a helm
    Old and rusty,
    Armlets many
    Cunningly fastened. 
    He also saw hang heavily