The worst part of Beowulf’s neck wound turns out to be a serpent-like poison that immediately makes the wound burn and swell. Beowulf knows that death is only a matter of minutes; he sits down by the wall so that he may die in peace. Wiglaf is able to fetch water and wash the blood and some poison away. The last minutes of Beowulf are spent partly in communicating with Wiglaf, and partly in viewing some of the dragon’s treasure.
The last act of a noble father was to give his war-gear to his son. Beowulf says that he has no son, although the story does not explain why not. It would be unusual for a king not to marry, but not unusual for his wife or children to die of disease. Although we are not told that any family members died in the dragon-fire of the hall, it is possible that some did. Wiglaf appears to be his nearest relation now and will be his personal heir, although there is no guarantee that the Geats will select him as the next king.
At Beowulf’s request, Wiglaf runs quickly into the deserted barrow. Even as much in haste as he is, Wiglaf is stopped by the sight of the treasure. The barrow is dark, but there is a magical light coming from the ancient king’s banner that is still hanging high, where the Last Survivor had set it up. In this light, he can see the gleaming of gold and jewels, as well as many iron objects that have rusted and leather fittings that have molded. After a stunned glance around, Wiglaf loads everything he can carry into his arms and runs out of the barrow, hoping he is not too late.
Beowulf is just enough alive to look weakly on the treasures, after Wiglaf once again revives him with water. His last words are filled with dramatic irony. He sees the treasure as destined to belong to his people, perhaps to form the core of a new royal hoard, perhaps for a new King Wiglaf to give out and form new bonds of loyalty in the younger generation. He envisions his warriors, the “brave in battle,” building him a new barrow right here on the cape, where passing ships may see it. Could this cape be one near where he returned home from Denmark or Frisia? It may not be unfamiliar land far from home, but rather a place he has walked past many times, without knowing a dragon slept beneath his feet.
Beowulf’s last act is to give his necklace and war-gear to Wiglaf, as promised, and his last words are, “I must follow them” (2816). Although he is not descended from Scield Scefing, whose funeral opened the poem, he appears to be following this great king of the ancient past, along with Hygelac and Hrethel, and perhaps even Ongentheow, into the land of the dead.