Before long the battle-dodgers abandoned the wood, the ones who had let down their lord earlier, the tail-turners, ten of them together. When he needed them most, they had made off

Before long
the battle-dodgers abandoned the wood,
the ones who had let down their lord earlier,
the tail-turners, ten of them together.
When he needed them most, they had made off.
now they were ashamed and came behind shields,
in their battle-outfits, to where the old man lay.

– Beowulf, Seamus Heaney (trans.)

Lines 2845-2851: As the fight with the dragon comes, the Gear warriors are as brave as they say they are. They run off, leaving Beowulf behind. The one courageous man who remains behind is Wiglaf.

Beowulf Quotes