nding
Sank to his slumber.

Just as the chill of morning invades the hall, Beowulf hears stealthy
steps approaching and the great door bursts open, admitting a monster,
all enveloped in clammy mist, which--pouncing upon one of the
men--crunches his bones and greedily drinks his blood. Beowulf,
intently watching the fiend, seeing him stretch out a horny hand for
another victim, suddenly grasps it with such force and determination
that the monster, notwithstanding frantic efforts, cannot free
himself. A terrible struggle now takes place, in the course of which
Beowulf and Grendel, wrestling madly, overturn tables and couches,
shaking the hall to its very foundations. Nevertheless, Beowulf clings
so fast to the hand and arm he had grasped, that the monster, trying
to free himself by a mighty jerk, tears his arm out of its socket and
disappears, uttering a blood-curdling cry, and leaving this trophy in
his foe's grasp. Mortally wounded, Grendel hastens back to his marsh,
leaving a trail of blood behind him, while Beowulf, exhausted but
triumphant, proudly exhibits the huge hand and limb which he has
wrenched from the monster, declaring it will henceforth serve to adorn
Heorot.

When Hrothgar beholds it on the morrow and hears an account of the
night's adventures, he warmly congratulates Beowulf, upon whom he
bestows rich gifts, and in whose honor he decrees a grand feast shall
be held in this hall. While they are drinking there and listening to
the music of the skalds (who sing of Sigmund the dragon-slayer and of
a fight at Finnsburgh), Wealtheow, Queen of Denmark, appears in their
midst, and bestows upon Beowulf a wonderful necklace and a ring of the
finest gold, bidding him wear them in memory of his triumph.

The feast over, Hrothgar escorts his guest to the palace, where he is
to rest that night, leaving his own men to guard Heorot, for all feel
confident Grendel has been too sorely wounded ever to appear again.
But, while the warriors sleep peacefully, the giant's mother--an
equally hideous monster--comes into the hall, secures her son's gory
arm which hangs there as a trophy, and bears away Aeschere, one of the
king's friends.

On learning of this loss on the morrow, Hrothgar is overcome with
grief, and Beowulf, hearing his lamentations, suddenly appears to
inquire what has occurred. On learning the ghastly news, he volunteers
to complete his work and avenge Aeschere by attacking Grendel's mother
in her own re