Beowulf lies dead, and Wiglaf is right by his side. He is greatly upset at the loss of his lord. The dragon also lies dead on the ground. Slowly, the Geatish warriors who had ran from the battle slowly make there way back to the barrow to find Wiglaf still trying to revive their fallen leader. The men are ashamed, and Wiglaf rebukes them bitterly, stating that all of Beowulf’s generosity has been wasted on them. The cost of their cowardice will be greater than just the life of a great ruler. He suggests that foreign warlords will be sure to attack the Geats now that Beowulf can no longer protect them.

Wiglaf sends a messenger with tidings to the Geats, who wait nervously for news of the outcome of the battle. The messenger tells them of Beowulf’s death and warns them that the hostile Franks and the Frisians will most certainly attack them. He expresses concern about the Swedes as well, who have a long-held grudge against the Geats. He relates the history of their feud and tells how the Geats secured the last victory. Without Beowulf to protect them (the messenger predicts) the Geats risk invasion by Swedes. The poet confirms that many of the messenger’s predictions will prove true.
The Geats then rise and go to Beowulf’s body. They discover the fifty-foot-long corpse of the dragon and even though it is dead it is still a fearful sight. It is revealed that the hoard had been under a spell, so that no person could open it except by the will of God. Wiglaf recounts Beowulf’s last requests and readies the people to build his funeral pyre. With seven of the greatest Geatish thanes, Wiglaf returns to the dragon’s bier to collect the treasure that Beowulf bought with his life. They throw the dragon’s body into the water.
The pyre is built high and decked with armor, according to Beowulf’s wishes. The body is laid in and the fire is lit—its roar competes with the sound of weeping. A Geatish woman grieves Beowulf’s death and about the war-torn future that she foresees for her people. The Geats place Beowulf’s remains on a cliff high above the sea in a barrow that will be visible to all passing ships. Sorrowfully, they recount that their king was kind and generous to his people, fair-minded, and eager to earn praise.