Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/134

118 sought hardy heroes, Heatho-Scilfings, in arms o’erwhelming Hereric’s nephew. Then Beowulf came as king this broad realm to wield; and he ruled it well fifty winters, a wise old prince, warding his land, until One began in the dark of night, a Dragon, to rage. In the grave on the hill a hoard it guarded, in the stone-barrow steep. A strait path reached it, unknown to mortals. Some man, however, came by chance that cave within to the heathen hoard. In hand he took a golden goblet, nor gave he it back,