Source:
History of English Literature by W.J. Long
History of English Literature by W.J. Long
BEOWULF.
Here is the story of Beowulf, the earliest and the greatest epic, or heroic
poem, in our literature. It begins with a prologue, which is not an essential
part of the story, but which we review gladly for the sake of the splendid
poetical conception that produced Scyld, king of the Spear Danes.[2]
At
a time when the Spear Danes were without a king, a ship came sailing into their
harbor. It was filled with treasures and weapons of war; and in the midst of
these warlike things was a baby sleeping. No man sailed the ship; it came of
itself, bringing the child, whose name was Scyld.
Now
Scyld grew and became a mighty warrior, and led the Spear Danes for many years,
and was their king. When his son Beowulf[3] had become strong and wise enough
to rule, then Wyrd (Fate), who speaks but once to any man, came and stood at
hand; and it was time for Scyld to go. This is how they buried him:
