that old ill-doer open found,
who, blazing at twilight the barrows haunteth,
naked foe-dragon flying by night
folded in fire: the folk of earth
2275dread him sore. ’Tis his doom to seek
hoard in the graves, and heathen gold
to watch, many- wintered: nor wins he thereby!
Powerful this plague-of-the-people thus
held the house of the hoard in earth
2280three hundred winters; till One aroused
wrath in his breast, to the ruler bearing
that costly cup, and the king implored
for bond of peace. So the barrow was plundered,
borne off was booty. His boon was granted
2285that wretched man; and his ruler saw
first time what was fashioned in far-off days.
When the dragon awoke, new woe was kindled.
O’er the stone he snuffed. The stark-heart found
footprint of foe who so far had gone
2290in his hidden craft by the creature’s head.—
So may the undoomed easily flee
evils and exile, if only he gain
the grace of The Wielder!—That warden of gold
o’er the ground went seeking, greedy to find
2295the man who wrought him such wrong in sleep.
Savage and burning, the barrow he circled
all without; nor was any there,
none in the waste. . . . Yet war he desired,
was eager for battle. The barrow he entered,
2300sought the cup, and discovered soon
that some one of mortals had searched his treasure,
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