Сборник самых известных английских легенд. Уровень 1

In a cavern containing Grendel’s body and the remains of men that the two had killed, Grendel’s mother and Beowulf engaged in fierce combat.

At first, Grendel’s mother appeared to prevail. Beowulf, finding that his sword could not harm his foe, discarded it in fury. But Grendel’s mother had a magic sword which she kept in that cavern. Beowulf grabbed the magical sword, and with it won her. Travelling further into the lair, Beowulf discovered Grendel’s dying body and severed its head. The blade of the magic sword melted like ice when it touched Grendel’s toxic blood, until only the hilt was left.

This hilt was the only treasure that Beowulf carried out of cavern, which he presented to Hrothgar upon his return[55 - upon his return – по своему возвращению] to Heorot. Hrothgar gave Beowulf many gifts, including the magic sword, his family’s heirloom[56 - family’s heirloom – фамильная реликвия].

Beowulf returned home and eventually became king of his own people. He ruled the kingdom for many years.

During that time he performed many great deeds.

One day, fifty years after Beowulf’s battle with Grendel’s mother, a slave stole a golden cup from the lair of a dragon. When the dragon saw that the cup had been stolen, it left its cave in a rage, burning everything in sight. Beowulf and his warriors came to fight the dragon, but Beowulf told his men that he would fight the dragon alone and that they should wait on the barrow. Beowulf descended to do battle with the dragon but found himself outmatched.

His men, upon seeing this display and fearing for their lives, crept back into the woods. One of his men, however, Wiglaf[57 - Wiglaf – Виглаф], who found great distress in seeing Beowulf’s plight, came to Beowulf’s aid. The two killed the dragon, but Beowulf was mortally wounded.

Beowulf was buried on a cliff. The dragon’s treasure was buried with him, in accordance withBeowulf’s wishes[58 - in accordance with wishes – согласно воле], rather than distributed to his people, and there is a curse associated with the hoard to ensure that Beowulf’s wish is kept.

Упражнения

1. Выберите правильный вариант:

1. Scyld Scefing had come to Denmark in a boat loaded with bottles of rum.

2. Scyld Scefing had come to England in a vessel loaded with treasures.

3. Scyld Scefing had come to Denmark in a vessel loaded with treasures.

4. Scyld Scefing had come to Denmark in a big ship.

2.