The dragon began to belch out flames and burn bright homesteads; there was a hot glow that scared everyone, for the vile sky-winger would leave nothing alive in his wake.

It threw the hero
into deep anguish and darkened his mood:
the wise man thought he must have thwarted
ancient ordinance of the eternal Lord,
broken His commandment.

– Beowulf, Seamus Heaney (trans.)

Lines 2327-2331: Beowulf believes his downfall is a punishment for breaking God’s law.

Beowulf Quotes