Gird yourself against wickedness, dear Beowulf,
best of men, and choose what is true,
the eternal fights; forego pride,
famous champion. The fulness ofyour strength
lasts but a while; it soon will happen
that sickness or the sword's edge will part you from life,
fire will reach for you or the engulfing flood,
or the grip of iron, or the spear's flight,
or festering age; or the brightness of your eies
be quenched in night; it will come, and quickly,
warrior, death will cut you down. (Beowulf, ll. 1758-1768)