"O flower of warriors, beware of that trap. Choose dear Beowulf, the better part,
eternal rewards. Do not give way to pride. For a brief while your strength is in bloom but it fades quickly; and soon there will follow illness or the sword to lay you low
or a sudden fire or surge of water
or jabbing blades or javelin from the air
or repellent age. Your piercing eye
will dim and darken; and death will arrive
dear warrior, to sweep you away."