One of the soldiers creeps into the barrow finding the dragons treasure. The soldier then steals a golden cup to please his master and ease his anger. Little did the soldier know he woke the dragon up.
The dragon swiftly comes out of the cave scaring the team of Beowulf's men away. However, one strong man stays, Wiglaf.
"And now was the first time for the brave young warrior to withstand such fury, the storm of the battle, standing beside his beloved lord"
So now the intense fight between the dragon and the two men began.
""Then the monster began to spew forth flames, Burning bright dwellings; light from fires shot up, while the men watched in horror"
The dragon bites into Beowulf's neck ultimately wounding his mortality.
"In the time I was given I lived in my own land, ruling my people well, never turning to treachery, or swearing to oaths contrary to right. In this I take comfort and joy when now I am stricken with death-dealing wounds."
Beowulf, although hurt, stabs the dragon the the abdomen causing him to bleed out and die.
"The mound-keeper went into a spasm and spouted deadly flames:when he felt the stroke, battle-fire billowed and spewed."
Beowulf is clearly on his death bed yet Beowulf feels pleased that he is leaving something behind for his people.
"There was a mass of treasures, wealth brought there from far-away lands. Nor have I heard of a ship more splendidly laden with weapons for battle and dress for war, with swords and shirts of mail."
Wiglaf sees that Beowulf is near death and bleeding out so he seeks out for water to wash his wounds.
After Wiglaf sees Beowulf in such bad shape, he wants to prove to him that he did achieve something by stealing the treasures from the dragons barrow.
As Beowulf slowly dies, he hand Wiglaf his armor.
"I have no son to give my battle-Armour to, but I have guarded my people well for fifty years. No other tribes have dared to attack. I have not gone looking for feuds to fight in or made false promises I did not keep. There has been no killing of kinsmen by me. I can be glad about this even though I am dying."
Out of frustration, Wiglaf sternly shouts to the men that fled the battle.
"Then it was easy for cowards who lost courage to get a stern speech from the young hero"