Beowulf no longer hoped for glorious victory.  His sword had failed him.  The edge was turned and blunted upon the scaly foe.  He had never thought the famous steel would so ill serve him.  Yet he fought on ready to lose his life in such good contest.

Again the battle paused, again the King and dragon closed in fight.

The dragon-guardian of the treasure had renewed his courage.  His heart heaved and boiled with fire, and fresh strength breathed from him.  Beowulf was wrapped in flame.  Dire was his need.

Yet of all his comrades none came near to help.  Nay, as they watched the conflict they were filled with base fear, and fled to the wood hard by for refuge.

Only one among them sorrowed for his master, and as he watched his heart was wrung with grief.

Wiglaf was this knight called, and he was Beowulf’s kinsman.  Now when he saw his liege lord hard pressed in battle he remembered all the favors Beowulf had heaped upon him.  He remembered all the honors and the wealth which he owed to his King.  Then could he no longer be still.  Shield and spear he seized, but ere he sped to aid his King he turned to his comrades.

“When our lord and King gave us swords and armor,” he cried, “did we not promise to follow him in battle whenever he had need?  When he of his own will chose us for this expedition he reminded us of our fame.  He said he knew us to be good warriors, bold helmet-wearers.  And although indeed our liege lord thought to do this work of valor alone, without us, because more than any man he hath done glorious and rash deeds, lo! now is the day come that hath need of strength and of good warriors.  Come, let us go to him.  Let us help our chieftain although the grim terror of fire be hot.

“Heaven knoweth I would rather the flame would blast my body than his who gave me gold.  It seemeth not fitting to me that we should bear back our shields to our homes unless we may first fell the foe and defend the life of our King.  Nay, it is not of the old custom of the Goths that the King alone should suffer, that he alone should sink in battle.  Our lord should be repaid for his gifts to us, and so he shall be by me even if death take us twain.”

But none would hearken to Wiglaf.  So alone he sped through the deadly smoke and flame, till to his master’s side he came offering aid.

“My lord Beowulf,” he cried, “fight on as thou didst in thy youth-time.  Erstwhile didst thou say that thou wouldst not let thy greatness sink so long as life lasteth.  Defend thou thy life with all might.  I will support thee to the utmost.”

When the dragon heard these words his fury was doubled.  The fell wicked beast came on again belching forth fire, such was his hatred of men.  The flame-waves caught Wiglaf’s shield, for it was but of wood.  It was burned utterly, so that only the stud of steel remained.  His coat of mail alone was not enough to guard the young warrior from the fiery enemy.  But right valiantly he went on fighting beneath the shelter of Beowulf’s shield now that his own was consumed to ashes by the flames.