He went in front with a few men,
good judges of the lie of the land,
and suddenly discovered the dismal wood,
mountain trees growing out at an angle
above grey stones: the bloodshot water
surged underneath. It was a sore blow
to all of the Danes, friends of the Shieldings,
a hurt to each and every one
of that noble company when they came upon
Aeschere’s head at the foot of the cliff.
– Beowulf, Seamus Heaney (trans.)
Lines 1412-1421: In this powerful scene Beowulf and his men seek Grendel’s mother by a body of water and make the grim discovery of the head of Aeschere, Hrothgar’s trusted advisor.