yrrhus close behind him. And he, even as he came into the
sight of his father and his mother, fell dead upon the ground. But when
King Priam saw it he contained not himself, but cried aloud, "Now may
the gods, if there be any justice in heaven, recompense thee for this
wickedness, seeing that thou hast not spared to slay the son before his
father's eyes. Great Achilles, whom thou falsely callest thy sire, did
not thus to Priam, though he was an enemy, but reverenced right and
truth and gave the body of Hector for burial and sent me back to my
city."

And as he spake the old man cast a spear, but aimless and without force,
which pierced not even the boss of the shield. Then said the son of
Achilles, "Go thou and tell my father of his unworthy son and all these
evils deeds. And that thou mayest tell him die!" And as he spake he
caught in his left hand the old man's white hair and dragged him,
slipping the while in the blood of his own son, to the altar, and then,
lifting his sword high for a blow, drove it to the hilt in the old man's
side. So King Priam, who had ruled mightily over many peoples and
countries in the land of Asia, was slain that night, having first seen
Troy burning about him and his citadel laid even with the ground. So was
his carcass cast out upon the earth, headless and without a name.

BEOWULF AND GRENDEL

Long ago there ruled over the Danes a king called Hrothgar. He gained
success and glory in war, so that his loyal kinsmen willingly obeyed
him, and everything prospered in his land.

One day it came into his mind that he would build a princely
banquet-hall, where he might entertain both the young and old of his
kingdom; and he had the work widely made known to many a tribe over the
earth, so that they might bring rich gifts to beautify the hall.

In course of time the banquet-house was built and towered aloft, high
and battlemented. Then Hrothgar gave it the name of Heorot, and called
his guests to the banquet, and gave them gifts of rings and other
treasures; and afterwards every day the joyous sound of revelry rang
loud in the hall, with the music of the harp and the clear notes of the
singers.

But it was not long before the pleasure of the king's men was broken,
for a wicked demon began to work mischief against them. This cruel
spirit was called Grendel, and he dwelt on the moors and among the fens.
One night he came to Heorot when the noble guests lay at rest after the
feast, and