HOME | DD

Description

"...Then the ancient dusk-scather

Found the great treasure standing all open,

He who flaming and fiery flies to the barrows,

Naked war-dragon, nightly escapeth

Encompassed with fire; men under heaven

Widely beheld him. ’Tis said that he looks for4

The hoard in the earth, where old he is guarding

The heathenish gold..."
----Beowulf

This came as a result of rereading Beowulf. The Barrow Wyrm from the last third of the poem is the basis for most of the really classic English dragons: it hoards gold, breathes fire, has a venomous bite, and flies into a shrieking, murderous rage if it's disturbed. This old beast has been guarding its hoard for so long that its once-brilliant scales have turned white, but it's still pretty spry--as poor Beowulf is about to find out.

Description

"...Then the ancient dusk-scather

Found the great treasure standing all open,

He who flaming and fiery flies to the barrows,

Naked war-dragon, nightly escapeth

Encompassed with fire; men under heaven

Widely beheld him. ’Tis said that he looks for4

The hoard in the earth, where old he is guarding

The heathenish gold..."
----Beowulf

This came as a result of rereading Beowulf. The Barrow Wyrm from the last third of the poem is the basis for most of the really classic English dragons: it hoards gold, breathes fire, has a venomous bite, and flies into a shrieking, murderous rage if it's disturbed. This old beast has been guarding its hoard for so long that its once-brilliant scales have turned white, but it's still pretty spry--as poor Beowulf is about to find out.