Making Monsters

Beowulf spoke:…all knew of my awesome strength.They had seen me boltered in the blood of enemiesWhen I battled and bound five beasts,Raided a trolls-nest and in the night-sea Slaughtered sea-brutes. I have suffered extremes.Now I mean to be a match for Grendel,Settle the outcome in a single combat…I have heard moreover that the monster scornsIn his reckless way to use weapons. I hereby renounceSword and the shelter of the shield, The heavy war-board: hand-to-handis how it will be, a life and deathfight with the fiend.

Beowulf spoke:…all knew of my awesome strength.They had seen me boltered in the blood of enemiesWhen I battled and bound five beasts,Raided a trolls-nest and in the night-sea Slaughtered sea-brutes. I have suffered extremes.Now I mean to be a match for Grendel,Settle the outcome in a single combat…I have heard moreover that the monster scornsIn his reckless way to use weapons. I hereby renounceSword and the shelter of the shield, The heavy war-board: hand-to-handis how it will be, a life and deathfight with the fiend.

Now we’re going to make our own…