Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove - Beowulf - Read as Calm Bedtime Story

Starting point is 00:00:01 Hello and welcome to Sleep Cove, the place to get a great night's sleep with me, Christopher Fitton. Tonight, I'm reading the story of Bear Wolf. Bear Wolf is the longest and oldest surviving epic poem in Old English, making it a foundational British literature text. I'm reading the story from the 120-year-old book. I got from my private members library, which you can see on social media. This story has been condensed and put into the modern way of speaking. Even though the story doesn't take place in Britain, it was written in Britain and it's set in pagan Scandinavia, modern-day Denmark and Sweden.

Starting point is 00:00:58 And it follows the Guitoushiro Bearwolf, as he battles monsters like Grendel. This story is quite dark and a little violent, so if you would prefer a more relaxing and soothing story, please check out another one of our episodes. Thank you. I really hope you enjoy it. The Story of Bear Wolf

Starting point is 00:01:28 Chapter 1 Bear Wolf and Grendel Three mighty kings had the Danes had in bygone years. Their names were Skeff and Skilled and Bear Wolf. Skeff came from the sea and no man knew his fatherland. He came as a babe floating in a boat upon the waters and at his head was a sheaf of corn. He was sent for his.

Starting point is 00:02:03 the comfort of the people, because they had no king. He overthrew the might of the foeman and gave peace to the people and then passed away. After Scaff came Skeld, the son of Scaff, a prince strong in warfare, wise in counsel, generous and giving treasure. When Skilled grew old and weak, and the time drew near that he was to sleep his last sleep. He bathed them, carry him to the seashore. Thither his people carried him with grief in their hearts, and laid him in the lap of a warship, filled with treasures of gold and ornaments, with battle-axes, bills and spears, and chain armour, and on his breast, They laid rich offerings of jewels and precious stones.

Starting point is 00:03:05 A golden flag was set up over his head, and thereupon they unfilled the sails, and at the wind bare the ship, where it would over the wide sea. So over the water, and alone departed skilled, even as Skeff his father had come, but he sailed away, over the water, even as a king in the track of the wild swans, with his battle spoils at his

Starting point is 00:03:37 right hand, and so he passed from the land. Of his race was Bearwolf, a beloved chieftain strong of hand. He too gave the people peace, and passed away. After those days, the people chose Heifteen for their leader, and when he died at a good ripe old age, his son, Hothrgar reigned in his stead. Good fortune and prosperity followed in the steps of Hrofgar, and under him the Danes became a powerful and wealthy people. So it came to pass that Horofgar had it in mind to build a great mead-hall in his city, a palace wherein his men-at-arms might feast after their warfare and rejoice in the good things of this life. Very fair was this meat-hall with high pinnacles and well-fashioned arches, and it was named Herot the heart-hall that all might know,

Starting point is 00:04:57 it to be the heart and centre of the land. It was opened with a great banquet, with sound of harp and song, and giving of the rings and treasure to the men of Vanna, so that all the people rejoiced and swore fealty to him. Then was the heart of Throfgar lifted up with pride because of the meat hall, Herot, which he had built. Far away in the fence, which surrounded that place of joy, lived an evil spirit, grim and terrible, named Grindle,

Starting point is 00:05:41 whose home was in the dark and fanny wastes of marshland. He watched the noble panace being built, and his heart was full of anger, because he saw that it made the people of one mind under their lord. One night he crept up to the meat hall where the nobles and Thanes were sleeping after their feast, regardless of harm and ill. Softly he entered, and gripping hold of thirty weary men with his gigantic arms, he carried them off to his lair.

Starting point is 00:06:20 there to devour them at his leisure. When morning came, the Dane's awakening in the dim light saw the tracks of the evil spirit and mourned bitterly for the loss of their relations, for they knew too well that mortal strength availed for naught against such an enemy. The next night, the fiend came again on his grisly errand, and them all were snatched away,

Starting point is 00:06:54 and for twelve years he did the like, until the houses of the land were empty because of the death deeming of the yoker of the marshes. Warriors and counsellors were swept away, and none could stay the destruction. The aged king, Hothgras grew grey and vent with green, for the loss of his brave followers. Night after night, he sat keeping watch in the meat-hole, among his vassals, but though men were snatched away from every side of him, yet Grendel could never touch him on his throne of staint. Then Hrofkar grew weary of his life,

Starting point is 00:07:43 and when men came to him for counsel, he answered nothing, but still. sat bowed in grief. His hoary head resting on his arms, and the people prayed in vain for a deliverer from the slayer of their countrymen. Away in the westward, among the people of the kings, lived a mighty fain named bear wolf, tall and strongest of his race, and Kingsmen of Highclack, Chief of the Geeks. This young warrior heard of the deeds of Grendel and of the troubles of Hofgarh and resolved to go to his aid, so he sought out a band of 14 warriors,

Starting point is 00:08:36 his favourite companions, and went on board a ship to seek the land of the Danes across the sea. Like a bird, the vessel with prow-like neck of swan fitted across the sea path, until at length the adventurers reached the windy cliffs and steep hills of the Danish shore. Scarcely had they landed when the warden of the shore rode down to the beach to learn what they had come for. Who are you? he cried, bearing arms and wearing coats of a male. You've come over the watery highway.

Starting point is 00:09:21 Long time I have kept the coast, but never yet I saw men more openly attempting to land here. You know not even the password of our warriors, the token of kinsmen. True, I never have seen a final warrior than one who stands among you. But yet I am bound to know once you come, before I let you proceed farther into the land of the Danes. Then bear will have answered, We are men of the race of the geese, half-fellow's of Heiglack.

Starting point is 00:10:03 With friendly intent we have come to visit your lord, the guardian of his people. So be thou good to us, and help us. On our way. We have a great message for the Prince of the Danes. Away in our land we have heard of a strange and terrible visitor of darkness, who has wrought havoc among your countrymen. For this we have brought a remedy. Do you bring us on our way to Herod with all the speed you can?

Starting point is 00:10:39 Weary with their journey, the men were glad to lay a sign. their broad shields against the outer wall and to pile their chavrins in a heap before they entered. To them came out a herald, who bade them say whence and why they came, to which Mel replied. We are high-grak's hearth fellows. To the prince of this land, the illustrious Harkar, a low-house. alone will I expound my errand. Then the herald returned to where Hofgraw sat, old and hoary, among his earls, and he prayed him that he would give audience to the stranger man and to their chief, whose name was Bearwolf.

Starting point is 00:11:34 And when Hofgraw learned the name he exclaimed, Bear Wolf, I knew him when he was a boy. He is the strength of thirty men in his hand grip, Bring him thither with his men, And say they are welcome visitors to our land. So Bearwolf entered, and thus accosted him. Hail, O King Hofgra! High Glax Thain am I, and his hearth comrade.

Starting point is 00:12:09 Many a time by night and day, I have fought against evil ones by sea and land. And now I am come to deliver the brave Danes from their peril to fight against Grendel the Ogre. And since no weapon will avail against him, I will not bear sword or broad shield or yellow buckler to the conflict, with handgrips and with counter-foe. And if he bear away my dead body, with intent to devour it in the grisly more swamps,

Starting point is 00:12:49 why twill but spare the trouble of my burial, but send to Hygak the matchless armour which Wayland and Smith forged to protect my breast and cease to grieve for me, fate goath ever as it must? Then Hothgras answered and said, Well indeed, O Bear Wolf, do I know the courage and might that dwells within your hand-clasp? But you know not how terrible is this Grindle. oft have my hardy warriors fierce over their ale cups at nightfall, promised to await the onset of Grendel with clash of swords,

Starting point is 00:13:34 and as oft in the morning the benches and floor of this meat hall have reeked with their blood yet be it as thou will and dear nightfall comes and the dreaded grindal

Starting point is 00:13:49 enters to choose his prey I bid you sit down to banquet and merrily share the feast with thy fellows while by old custom we incite each other to a brave and careless mind.

Starting point is 00:14:07 Then, with the benches cleared, and bear wolf, and the geese, sat up at banquet, with the Danes, while the twisted ale cup, went merrily round.

Starting point is 00:14:22 Now there was one of those who sat at the feet of Hofghar, unferth by name, who looked with a jealous eye on the newcomer, grudging that any man should do greater deeds than himself. So he said scoffingly,

Starting point is 00:14:44 Are you that bear wolf who strove with Brecker on the open sea in a swimming match when you two, out of bravado, explored the floods and risked your lives in deep waters? For a week, tis said, you taught. soiled in the surge, but he outdid you in swimming, and came at length to his own land. All his boast did thee did Brecker fulfil, wherefore I look for ill luck, for you, if you dare bide in Grendel's way, for the space of a night. Then Marewell answered, Big things have you spoken, O unfurth. amount to this adventure with Brecker.

Starting point is 00:15:37 But I claim rightly to have shown more sea power, more buffeting by the waves than any other man. True it is that we when boys tried a contest of swimming, drawn swords we had as we plied along to protect us from the whales. No farther could Brecker swim than us. eye, and seeing him fail, I would not leave him. So he kept together in the sea for five nights and days, till the flood parted us. I see weather, dark night, and a fierce wind from the north. Then was the temper of the sea-fishes stirred. A spotted monster dragged me to the bottom,

Starting point is 00:16:31 and it would have gone ill with me for the protection of my coat of mail. But I got out the monster with my knife, and in the end dispatched the mighty seem brute. Then many another beast attacked me, but it was not fated that they should devour me for their supper on the floor of the sea. On the other hand, next morning they lay dead and stiff in the track, of the sea wave, and so I escaped weary and worn from their grips. The sea cast me upon the land of the fins, so I arrived home, but never yet did a bracker or anyone else

Starting point is 00:17:17 kill nine sea monsters such as they, and to you and earth this I say in good truth. Never would Grendel have made such a tale of horrors, for your prince here, if you are If your courage were what you claim it to be. For Grendel has found out that he need not fear from you and yours. He makes a sport of war, slaughters and feasts himself, but now shall he learn a different lesson from the warlike geese. Then Hothgras rejoiced when he perceived the resolute purpose that was in Mervulf. His mighty men laughed with joy

Starting point is 00:18:04 And the noise of harp and song resounded through the hall Presently there entered to them wheeledale Hothgrass Queen Who in her gold array greeted the newcomers According to custom She took the jeweled beaker And presented it first to her sovereign lord then to all the rest in turn, until at length she brought it to Beowulf, the mighty chief,

Starting point is 00:18:36 and greeted him with wise words as the champion of her people. And Beowulf took the cup from the queen's hands and said, No more shall Grendel pray upon the valiant dains, till he has felt the might of my fingers. So all the people were glad at his way. words and rejoiced over their wine-cups. By this time it had grown dark, and they began to recall the fact that the monster was hovering near. So Hothgras, and his hearthfanoes arose, and went out one by one, leaving the hall now dim with the shades of night, to the protection

Starting point is 00:19:21 of Bairwulf. Then Bairwulf began to laugh at the fears of his company who had left the hall, and took off his helmet, his sword, and the rest of his armour, giving them to his squire, with these valiant words. No less a fighter am I, then Grendel, therefore I will not kill him with my sword, naught knows he of swordcuts or how to use a shield, so when we meet in the night-time, it shall be without weapons on both sides. Then he lay down upon the ground, and soon all, save one, were sound asleep. For the misty depths of the moor came Grendel, full of wrath and thirsting for his prey. The door of the hall, though fastened with bars of wrought iron, sprang open as soon as he touched it with his hands,

Starting point is 00:20:21 and in a moment he was treading at the pavement of the inner room. Flames darted from his eyes as he looked around, and he laughed aloud when he saw asleep before him, so goodly a company of men. One of the sleeping warriors he seized, and in a moment tore him to pieces and devoured his body. Next he spied a bear wolf, lying upon a raised bed, and put forth his hand to take him, but his hand and arm, were promptly seized in such a grip, as had never before been felt by him. He tried to free himself, to escape, to break out again into the darkness, but in vain, for Bellwulf was now upon his feet, and at deadly grips with a monster. The men, both those in the hall and those in the castle, hearing the wall and din awoke,

Starting point is 00:21:27 and stood aghast at the sight of the conflict. To and fro swayed the twain, wrecking the benches and raising such a noise that hardly did the hall stand firm. Then the followers of Belve snatched up their swords and ran to the help of their master, but though they did not know it, nor the choiciest blade on earth,

Starting point is 00:21:53 nor the finest war-axe would hurt the monster for he had by enchantment made himself safe against the edges of all weapons. So between him and Bear Wolf, the battle raged and so strong was the warrior's grip that he tore off the arm of the monster before Grendel was able to escape from Herod. Then Bearwolf, in triumph, hung over the arm as a trophy from the roof of Herod. And when the morning dawned, all the people gathered together from far and wide to hear the story of the downfall of Grindle. Then many of the warriors set out to follow his track across the mall and traced him to the shore of the mare. There they found the water, all surging with his life blood, and so rode back, rejoicing in his death to Herot.

Starting point is 00:22:56 Within the hall meantime Throfgar was making a stately speech of thanks to Melv who answered modestly that he had not struck closely enough to the monster or he would have killed him there and then and prevented his escape but he pointed to the hanging arm with its nails like spurs saying that though the monster had gone forth into the night it was only to die.

Starting point is 00:23:29 Then a great feast was made in honour of the event, at which Rofgar presented to Mairwolf a golden flag, richly decorated, a helmet and coat of mail, and a splendid sword, the hilt inlaid with jewels and with gold. When these had been presented, eight beautiful horses were led into the court, and the king's own war-saddle decorated with silver was placed upon the back of the foremost, a noble charger,

Starting point is 00:24:05 and altogether were handed over to Bear Wolf as a mark of gratitude from the king for freeing Herod from the horror of Grendel. So once again the hall resounded with joyous songs, and when night approached, each warrior went to his rest, Lighter of heart than of old Chapter 2 The Vengeance of Grendel's mother The last story told us how the noble bear wolf caused the downfall of the monster Grendel

Starting point is 00:24:43 This one goes on to describe A yet more terrible fight Waged by that mighty hero With the powers of darkness Down amid the cold waters of the mare dwelt a wicked troll wife, the mother of the monster, and when night fell this terrible hag approached the hall of Herod, breathing vengeance for the loss of Grendel. Just when the warriors least expected harm, and when most of them were happily asleep,

Starting point is 00:25:22 she burst into their midst and seized one of the young nobleman who followed her, Hrothgar crushed him in her grip with one hand, while with the other she tore down the arm of Grendel from the roof, and escaped hurriedly back to the fen. Now this night, Marewolf had not slept in Hirot, a more comfortable lodging, having been prepared for him elsewhere. When Hrothgar heard the Dreadful news of the cruel end of one of his favourite young warriors, he asked that bearwolf should come to him. And then, in early dawn, he poured out the sad story before him. Bear wolf listened in silence until the king spoke of his great wish that the chieftain would undertake to find the wicked trawl wife. who with her son had been known for years to haunt the moorland,

Starting point is 00:26:32 watching for those whom she might devour. Then Bearwolf answered cheerily, Sorrow not, my wise lord. Better it is for every man that he should avenge his friend than that he should greatly mourn. Death must come to all, so let him who has the chance seek glory before his end comes. As for my task, let the monster go where she will.

Starting point is 00:27:06 I promise you she shall not escape me. So he set off with a few warriors across the mall, following the tracks of blood left only too clearly upon it, By lonely paths and steep stone banks they travelled, until at length they came to a gloomy wood, whose trees overhung a grey pile of rocks, and beneath this lay a great stretch of water, dark and troubled. A thrill of horror seized each brave warrior as he looked, for on the brink of the cliff lay the head of their companions. whom the troll wife had carried off, and the mare was seething with the blood. While bear wolf was girding on his armour, the truth of warrior sat down on the rocks and watched the grim goblin creatures who swam in the waters all gamboled on the edge of the mare. When the chief was ready, he took his famous sword, hunting by name,

Starting point is 00:28:21 which had done good work in bygone days, and waving farewell, plunged it into the eddying waters. When the grizzly goblins who haunted the regions of the deep saw that one of the suns was exploring their watery home, they rushed to attack. But foremost came that evil hag, whom he sought for, and gripping him in her iron crutches, would have crushed his bones, had not his coat of mail, withstood her grasp. Yet, he was powerless and was borne away to her dread mansion, while a pursuing crowd of monsters harassed him and battered on his war helmet with their tusks. At length, Bearwolf perceived that he stood in a strange and gloomy hall into which no water could enter, although it lay beneath the waves, by a dim gleam of firelight,

Starting point is 00:29:30 which he saw himself confronted by the troll wife, a creature half wolf, half goblin. Rushing upon her with his famous sword, he struck with all his might, but alas, the sharp edge turned aside, as though it were a leaf, for like her son she was proof against all human weapons. Then Bearwolf flung the sword aside and gripped the trollwife with his hands. Once she sank to the ground, but it was only in order to grapple with him more strongly, and at length utterly exhausted, he fell prostrate to earth.

Starting point is 00:30:16 uttering a fiendish yell The hag threw herself upon him With her great blood-stained knife And stabbed him with all her might But the breast-net Of interlaced steel Interposed and turned the point aside And as she lay spent with the force of the blow

Starting point is 00:30:37 Bear-wolf staggered to his feet As he did so So his eyes fell upon a parna of armour wrought by giants and goblins in olden days. From this he snatched a sword so huge that no other man could wield it and smoked in despair of his life with such a fact that the troll life

Starting point is 00:31:03 dropped dead upon the ground. Immediately the glimmer of light shot up and filled the place as though with sunshine. fiercely swinging his sword, Bear Wolf explore the hall, and here long came the body of Grindle, whose head he forthwith cut off. Meantime, his absence, how lasted for so long

Starting point is 00:31:31 that the warriors on the brink had become extremely troubled about him. Presently as they watched, they saw the waters reddened with blood, and most of them at once, concluded that the troll wife had torn their leader in pieces. Therefore, as it grew late, the followers of Rofgar gave him up for lost and returned to Herod. But his own men sat suddenly by the reddening waves, thinking of their beloved leader. While they thus mourned for him, bear wolf whose magic sword had melted away in his hand

Starting point is 00:32:12 when touched by the blood of Grendel was swimming upward through depths now clear and purified, for the goblins had fled forever when they saw the fall of the monsters who had ruled with them. With glad hearts and hands did his followers help the hero to land and shouts of joy they gave as they perceived the head of Grendel. De Herot, then they hastened, and that grim head, together with the hilt of the magic sword, was brought before Horfgar as he sat at the table, as trophies of what Beowulf had done. Then the joy of Hofkra knew no bounds, and after loading the hero with rewards and thanks, he ordered a fresh banquet for him and his followers,

Starting point is 00:33:10 under which bear wolf tied out asked for nothing but his couch. There he slept to the voice of the birds proclaimed to the sunrise, and then prepared to return to his own land. Sad was the parting with Hrfgar, who was love to let him go, and whose gifts were so many that his bounty was long taught of when they were far from the hall, of Herod Chapter 3 The Fight with a Fire Dragon

Starting point is 00:33:50 For many a long year After his fight with the monsters Of the Mir Did Beowulf rule his kingdom wisely and well But when he was quite An old man A dreadful event

Starting point is 00:34:07 stirred up the countryside And caused him once again To call for his sword And armour On a lonely heath in one part of his kingdom stood a great pile of stones overhanging a path by which no man dared to go, for the story was told that a fierce dragon lived in that rocky pile guarding a treasure. One day, however, a certain man had offended his chieftain so sorely that he found himself homeless and bruised with many of his chieftain. blows, a wanderer upon his lonely heath. Stumbling on his way, and careless of what befell him, he climbed upon a rocky hill, and seeking shelter among the boulders, came suddenly upon a gleam of

Starting point is 00:35:05 gold. He looked farther and there, half hidden by the stones, he saw the entrance to a cave, all glittering with golden treasure. Just inside of the mouth of the cave, a fire dragon lay in a deep, deep sleep. He had guarded this treasure for 300 years and very seldom slept. But when he did, he slept very soundly. The outcast crept in

Starting point is 00:35:40 and snatching a tankard that is to say a great cut, ornamented with golden pictures, he fled away over the heath and brought it to his chieftain, begging for forgiveness and kind treatment, if, in return, he told him of his discovery. The petition was granted, and on hearing the news his lord hastened with a band of followers to the place, or the dragon still slept, and before he awoke, they had carried off a vast stall of gold and jewels. Now when the dragon awoke, he was very rough. He sniffed the scent of his unwelcome visitors.

Starting point is 00:36:31 He searched closely through the desert waste. Every now and then, he would dash back to the cavern to see if it were really true that the treasped. had gone, but when evening came, he delayed no longer, but hastened, forth filled with fiery rage. He surrounded the farm stands with this hot breath, so that the flames of Ruth and Tharn fill the air, and advancing upon the hall of Bear Wolf himself, he spirited fire upon it so that the very wars began to melt away. Then as daynight was breaking, he hurried to his own dark cave. When this crushing news was told to Merwolf,

Starting point is 00:37:23 he was filled with thoughts of revenge, and it once gave orders that they should make for him an iron war shield as strong as possible, for well he knew that no shield of wood could help him, against his enemy's fiery breath. Yet he would not dined to show fear before him, so he went forth alone to the meeting, leaving all but a few of his followers behind.

Starting point is 00:37:54 But first, the whole story of stolen treasure had been told, and the precious cup had been placed in his hands. So the man, who by his rash deed had first begun the course, quarrel was forced much against his will to show Beowulf the way. When they came within sight of the place, he bade farewell to his guide and to those who had brought him on his way, bidding them await him on the hillside, ready armed to see the result of the conflict.

Starting point is 00:38:32 So he went on, and presently came to an arch of walks, through which flowed a stream, hot and steamy, with the dragon's breath. Then a mare wolf gave a great shout and out rushed the dragon from his cavern, bent like a bow. He came shuffling along in headlong fashion and flung himself upon the king, who defended himself bravely with his shield until his chance came. Then, swinging up his arm, he smoked the monster with his great sword, but the brown edge turned upon the hard skin and the bear wolf began hard pressed. Nearer nearer came the dragon casting forth devouring fire from his mouth and showers of sparks fell round him. The followers of Bearwolf had eagerly watched.

Starting point is 00:39:34 the conflict from a distance, and now, seeing how badly it fared with their brave Lord, they began to tremble for their own lives, and so slunk away into a wood nearby. But one of them, a youth named Wicklough, a cousin of the king, said boldly that it was a shameful thing that they should carry back their shields of marked, and that their lord should fall alone in the fight, and so leaving them, he rushed to wear in the midst of a cloud of black smoke, his kingsmen and the dragon were in deadly conflict. He shouted a word of encouragement to bear wolf, and scarcely had he finished speaking on the monster turned upon him. His shield was consumed by the waves of flame, his coat of mail was useless against it,

Starting point is 00:40:32 and he was driven to fight under protection of the king's shield. Encouraged by his presence, Bear Wolf struck a mighty blow so that his weapon stood fixed in the dragon's head and then flew into splinters. This so enraged the monster that he rushed upon the hero with such force that he bore him to the ground and fixed his teeth in his neck,

Starting point is 00:41:02 wounding him very sorely. But Wiglav lifted his trusty sword and smoked the dragon and pierced him so that from that moment the fire grew less and the beast began to draw away. Then the king recovered himself, drew his all-knife and dealt the dragon his death below. But Beowulf himself was very it sorely wounded, for the poisoned teeth of the dragon had caused the bites to inflame and swell. In vain it did Wiglav loosen the king's helmet and gnash water upon his face. He knew the end was near at hand. Then Merwolf made him enter the cavern and bring him word of what he saw. A strange place it was, built by the dwarfs in at olden times. and full of treasures of kings long dead and gone.

Starting point is 00:42:07 It was lightened by the gleam of a wonderful golden banner, which was hung from the roof, and showed him stores of jewels, ancient armour, bracelets and richly ornamented cups. Hasterly gathered as much as he could carry in his arms. Wiglaf hastened back, only to find his dear lord at the point of his point of his. of death. Looking upon the part of treasure, he thanked God with a feeble voice that he had been

Starting point is 00:42:39 permitted to give his life for what would provide for the needs of all his followers. And giving to Wycliffe his golden collar, helmet and breastplate, he said, thou art the last of my race. All my kingsmen, chivalrous princes that they were, have parted. passed into eternity, I must follow after them. Thus the brave bear wolf yielded up his life. Presently came the nobles who had deserted him in time of need and found Wiglaf refreshing his patched lips with water and weeping over his dead prince.

Starting point is 00:43:24 Then bitterly did Wiglough address them, saying, brave warriors in need. Now that the fight is over, you have indeed summoned courage to come and share the treasure. You who forsook your treasure-giver, your noble prince, to whom you owe the very war-trappings in which you stand. I tell you that, though you shall see the treasure and hold it in your own hands, yet it shall never profit you or yours. the Swedes who came from over the sea who slew Highgak

Starting point is 00:44:06 the same that Bearwolf drove for the land will come again when they know that our hero was dead He will snatch the treasure From your weak grasp And carry you away into bondage along with it Let it be his who won it He will guard it safer in his sleep

Starting point is 00:44:29 than you with feeble warblades and weak javelins. Look the Lord of the Geats slumber with it in the carl which we shall build for him, and then shall men fear to touch the treasure as they would to snatch a sleeping lion's prey. So the trooper rose and went joylessly under the eagles crang, and found there on the sand a lifeless body, of their great prince, and hard by lay that grisly dragon, full fifty feet long, was so long and had been the terror of night, though by day he had returned to contemplate his hold. Then do the people of the geese prepare for bear wolf, a mighty funeral pile hung around

Starting point is 00:45:26 with helmets, with shields and breastplates, and with bitter tears they laid their lord upon the wood. Eight picked warriors walked with Wicklough round the pile with torches to kindle the fire. The reek of the smoke rose high in the air and the sound of a morning people mingled with the crackling of the blaze and the wind fanned the flames until they had consumed the body of the mighty-handed chief. Then the men built a great carne by the sea, high it was and broad and easy to be seen by sailors over the waves. Ten days they worked at it and built up a beacon vast and tall, and laid the ashes of their lord within, and they carried thither all the hoarded treasure, rings and gems and ornaments of gold, and laid them within the mound.

Starting point is 00:46:36 Neither did ill wear the twisted gold, nor was maiden claddened, with the gold rings about her neck. The treasure sleeps fast in the earth beneath him who won it. 12 nobles rode about the mound, recording in speech and song the glory of their king, even as it is meat that a man should praise his lord and love him in his soul, after his body has vanished away, and only his deeds remain from the Epic of Belle-Woof, the oldest of old English epics. about 700 to 800 AD

Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove - Beowulf - Read as Calm Bedtime Story

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