Grendel's Arm

n the morning a great crowd gathered at Heorot. People came from far and near to gaze at Grendel's hand hanging there and to wonder at his huge footmarks. Warriors on white horses followed the footprints and the trail of blood to a dark pool. Its waters were still bubbling and bloody where the monster had dived. Looking for his lair under the waves he had died for sure. No one was sorry, he had done so much harm.

On the way back the horsemen were happy. The horses tossed their manes and raced over the sandy road. Then one man began to make up a poem of what Beowulf had done, putting together just the right words, and to tell stories of other famous heroes.