“We saw the devil, Beowulf, who brought us to ruin. . . do not seek revenge against the brother who killed. . .”
“A great sin, Ermanric, fighting between brothers, men of the same people!”
“The king is to be buried according to the rites of the Heathobards. Carry him to the ship of the Vikings.”
“Go, my father, over the streets of the sea to Carenera; there you will lie in the bow until your burial.”
“According to the rite, Beowulf, I will be your vassal for three moons, along with the people that will erect the tomb!”
The ship without a helmsman moves off into the unknown. Beowulf now cries. The cries of filial grief do not, however, degrade the hero.
“Conduct thou, O Lord, his bow without a helmsman along placid rivers! I send you my prayers; my pain will last until the eternal dawn!”
“Ermanric do we not waste our swords if we do not avenge the treachery?”
“There is no better revenge than forgiveness. . . Wiglaf, you are not a good Christian knight!”
“We destroyed the Geats and you killed their sire, Rogar, even though your brother!”
Meanwhile, a jubilant victory of the Ring Danes, a banquet in the palace of Rogar. . .
“No bond resists the edge of the sword!”
“I'll drink to the death and victory!”
Rogar rises with the cup in his hand . . . a youth stands beside the arm. Gunnar, his son . . .
“Father, your cup runneth over with blood! You killed your brother! God save me, I am the son of Cain!”
Rogar blazed with anger.