Act Five Scene One
Beowulf returns in triumph to Heorot Hall

(Verses to use with Workshop 15)

The instant Grendel's mother died
A dazzling light appeared inside
The cave and, when her eyes grew glazed,
The Storm-Geat looked around, amazed,
To see a chamber wide

And deep, its walls with weapons lined
And golden treasures that were signed
In runes by people from a race
Of giants gone without a trace.
But Beowulf declined

To linger there. He stood erect
And paused a while to show respect
For all the Danish warlords slain.
He thought of Hrothgar's grief and pain
Then moved on to inspect

A darker chamber, glowing green
Where Grendel's body could be seen
Outstretched upon a mighty bed.
He stared down at the monster's head
Then raised his sword blade keen.

And with a howl of rage sliced through
The monster's neck. As he withdrew
The sword, stained red with blood, he felt
A shock to see the metal melt
Away like ice and knew

How poisoned was the blood that spilt
Into the lake. The golden hilt
Survived and Beowulf now held
It tightly as his legs propelled
Him upward through the silt

Clouding the water of the lake
That swirled and churned enough to make
The watching Storm-Geats feel despair.
Then one let out a mighty cheer
To see their leader break

The surface, smiling with relief
And triumph. They forgot their grief
And ran to help him to the bank
With Grendel's head before it sank
For it was their belief

The gruesome trophy would provide
Proof that the evil brute had died.
Four of Beowulf's strongest men
Carried the head back from the fen
And through the countryside.

They sang to keep their spirits high
And hoped the Danish king would ply
Them all with food and rich rewards.
And as their footsteps turned towards
The Hall they heard a cry

Of joy from all the Danes who threw
The great doors open wide and drew
The monstrous head on to the floor
Where Grendel's arm had hung before.
They stood amazed anew.

Then Beowulf addressed the crowd
And told them he was justly proud
They had succeeded in their task.
Though he was not a man to bask
In glory, he allowed

King Hrothgar and Queen Wealhtheow
To greet him as a hero now,
A brave man who had risked his life
To free their land from deadly strife,
A man who kept his vow.

Now once again, as twice before
The smells of fish and rich, wild boar,
Of bubbling soups and fresh baked bread
And ales that went straight to the head
Drew people to the door

Of Heorot Hall, secure at last,
The years of pain and terror past.
The taste of victory was sweet
But Beowulf rose to his feet
And as he spoke he cast

His eyes to where Queen Wealtheow
Sat by the king and touched his brow
To show her love and deep concern
And saw he loved her in return.
He gave a gracious bow

Towards them, briefly fingering,
About his neck, the golden ring.
'The time has come for us to go
Back home but we want you to know
That Hygelac our king

Will always be your trusted friend
Our countries' quarrelling must end.
The Danes and Storm-Geats will unite
And, from this moment, we shall fight
Together to defend

Our lands and keep our people free.'
King Hrothgar nodded to agree.
'I love you as my dearest son
But I can see your work is done
And you must put to sea.'

Then Hrothgar beckoned to his queen
Who drew aside a silken screen,
Revealing gold and jewellery
Twelve pieces of rich finery
That rarely had been seen.

Cut diamonds sparkled in the light
With amethysts and malachite,
Red rubies glowed and emeralds shone
Among the sapphires set upon
Gold circlets gleaming bright.

'Take these and share them with your king.
He knows the power that wealth can bring.
But, Beowulf, be wise, take care
For sometimes men forget to share
And take to plundering

And hoarding treasures, growing cruel
And greedy, thinking they should rule,
Almighty, with an iron rod,
Forgetting to give thanks to God
For blessings and renewal.

Then Beowulf bowed gracefully
And spoke with quiet dignity.
'I understand and I will heed
Your words.' The queen wished him, 'Godspeed',
And kissed him gratefully.

Act Five Scene Two The Storm-Geats return home
(Narrative Verses to use with Workshop 15)

Narrator:

The Storm-Geats rose at dawn and strode
Towards the shore where their boat rode
At anchor in the lively swell.
They saw it had been guarded well,
Its dragon colours glowed,

Reflected in the sparkling sea.
They moved now with some urgency
To check the rudder and the oars
And clear the hatches for the stores
And set the white sails free.

And as the Storm-Geats went on board
The boat, their leader took a sword
Out of a mighty treasure chest
Adorned with Hrothgar's royal crest
Where armour had been stored.

The sword with precious stones inlaid
Was bound round with a golden braid.
Beowulf crossed the gleaming sands
And placed it in the coastguard's hands
To thank him for his aid.

Meanwhile the Danes began to pack
Provisions for the voyage back
To Sweden and throughout the day
Transported them, without delay,
Along the coastal track.

Then from the beach they helped to load
The boat with food and drink and stowed
The treasure chests and tied them fast
With sturdy ropes around the mast
And when the high tide flowed

Around the boat, the Storm-Geats hauled
The anchor in. The helmsman called
Each rower to take up his oar,
A strong wind blew them from the shore,
A look- out was installed

High on the mast to scan the seas
For storm clouds as a stiff sea breeze
Propelled them, drenched by salty foam
Towards the headlands of their home
And to their families.
What joyful cries were heard to ring
Out in the hall when Sweden's king
Was told of Beowulf's return.
He waited eagerly to learn
What news the band would bring.

And when he saw his nephew lead
The warriors to where the mead
Was brimming in each drinking horn
He blessed the day that he was born
And marvelled at his deed

Of bravery that stunned the world.
Of Norsemen. As the pale smoke swirled
Across the room from fires that burned
To heat the steaming food - he learned
How Beowulf had hurled

Himself, without a sign of fear,
At Grendel as the beast drew near,
Then fought and wrestled with rare skill.
His bravery and iron will
Were strong enough to tear

Off Grendel's arm and cause his death.
At this, the listeners caught their breath -
But there was more to come - the tale
Of Grendel's mother made all quail -
Including brave Haereth,

The Queen's proud father, highly skilled
In martial arts who'd never killed
Such evil, superhuman foes.
As Beowulf drew to a close
The banquet hall was stilled.

Such admiration filled the crowd
That silence fell, before a loud
And heartfelt cheer broke out as all
The Geats assembled in the hall
Could tell he was endowed

With skills and wisdom rarely seen,
A real hero, small and lean,
Who fought for freedom not for gold.
The treasures, wondrous to behold,
Were for his king and Queen.

Now they, in turn, chose to reward
Young Beowulf, and, in accord,
Gave him a hall on fertile lands
And, with esteem, placed in his hand
Hygelacs's precious sword.

In future, rousing cheers would ring
Out in that hall, again, to bring
The news that, after years of strife,
When Hygelac had lost his life,
Brave Beowulf was king.

You may be sure that in his years
As ruler he faced many cares -
And monsters too - but held on fast.
He showed us how to win at last
And overcome our fears.

.