Stories of Beowulf slave stealing golden cup

"His eyes were dazzled by the shining heap. Upon it lay a cup of gold, wondrously chased and adorned.

'If I can but gain that cup,' said the slave to himself, ' I will return with it to my master, and for the sake of the gold he will surely forgive me.'

So while the Dragon slept, trembling and fearful the slave crept nearer and nearer to the glittering mass. When he came quite near he reached forth his hand and seized the cup. Then with it he fled back to his master.

It befell then as the slave had foreseen. For the sake of the wondrous cup his misdeeds were forgiven him.

But when the Dragon awoke his fury was great. Well knew he that mortal man had trod his cave and stolen of his hoard."

An illustration of the slave in Beowulf who stole the dragon's golden cup, thinking to redeem himself, and thus aworke the dragon.

• Marshall, Henrietta Elizabeth (1908) Stories of Beowulf, T.C. & E.C. Jack, p. 93
• Stories of Beowulf-1 Page 108 Image 0002.jpg