XXXII. THE FIRE-DRAKE. THE HOARD.

Nealles mid geweoldum wyrm-horda . . . cräft
sôhte sylfes willum, se þe him sâre gesceôd,
2225 ac for þreá-nêdlan þeów nât-hwylces
häleða bearna hete-swengeas fleáh,
for ofer-þearfe and þær inne fealh
secg syn-bysig. Sôna in þâ tîde
þät . . . . . þam gyste . . . . br . g . stôd,
2230 hwäðre earm-sceapen . . . . . . .
. . ð . . . sceapen o . . . . i r . . e se fæs begeat,
sinc-fät geseah: þær wäs swylcra fela
in þam eorð-scräfe ær-gestreóna,
swâ hy on geâr-dagum gumena nât-hwylc
2235 eormen-lâfe äðelan cynnes
þanc-hycgende þær gehýdde,
deóre mâðmas. Ealle hie deáð fornam
ærran mælum, and se ân þâ gen
leóda duguðe, se þær lengest hwearf,
2240 weard wine-geômor wîscte þäs yldan,
þät he lytel fäc long-gestreóna
brûcan môste. Beorh eal gearo
wunode on wonge wäter-ýðum neáh,
niwe be nässe nearo-cräftum fäst:
2245 þær on innan bär eorl-gestreóna
hringa hyrde hard-fyrdne dæl
fättan goldes, feá worda cwäð:
"Heald þu nu, hruse, nu häleð ne môston,