"Finn, king of the Frisians, had carried off Hildeburh, daughter of Hoc (_Beowulf_, v. 1076), probably with her consent. Her father Hoc seems to have pursued the fugitives, and to have been slain in the fight which ensued on his overtaking them. After the lapse of some twenty years, Hoc's sons Hnæf and Hengest, were old enough to undertake the duty of avenging their father's death. They make an inroad into Finn's country and a battle takes place in which many warriors, among them Hnæf and a son of Finn (1074, 1079, 1115), are killed. Peace is therefore solemnly concluded, and the slain warriors are burnt (1068-1124).
"As the year is too far advanced for Hengest to return home (1130 ff.), he and those of his men who survive remain for the winter in the Frisian country with Finn. But Hengest's thoughts dwell constantly on the death of his brother Hnæf, and he would gladly welcome any excuse to break the peace which had been sworn by both parties. His ill concealed desire for revenge is noticed by the Frisians, who anticipate it by themselves taking the initiative and attacking Hengest and his men whilst they are sleeping in the hall. This is the night attack described in the "Fight." It would seem that after a brave and desperate resistance Hengest himself falls in this fight at the hands of Hunlafing (1143), but two of his retainers, Guthlaf and Oslaf, succeed in cutting their way through their enemies and in escaping to their own land. They return with fresh troops, attack and slay Finn, and carry his queen, Hildeburh, off with them (1125-1159)."--Wyatt, _Beowulf_, (1901), p. 145.
Professor Gummere finds in the fragment an example bearing out his theory of the development of the epic. "The qualities which difference it from _Beowulf_," he says, "are mainly negative; it lacks sentiment, moralizing, the leisure of the writer; it did not attempt probably to cover more than a single event; and one will not err in finding it a fair type of the epic songs which roving singers were wont to sing before lord and liegeman in hall and which were used with more or less fidelity by makers of complete epic poems."]
". . . . . . . . Are the gables not burning?" Boldly replied then the battle-young king: "The day is not dawning; no dragon is flying, And the high gable-horns of the hall are not burning, 5 But the brave men are bearing the battle line forward, While bloodthirsty sing the birds of slaughter. Now clangs the gray corselet, clashes the war-wood, Shield answers shaft. Now shineth the moon, Through its cover of clouds. Now cruel days press us 10 That will drive this folk to deadly fight. But wake at once, my warriors bold, Stand now to your armor and strive for honor; Fight at the front unafraid and undaunted." Then arose from their rest, ready and valiant, 15 Gold-bedecked soldiers, and girded their swords. The noble knights went now to the door And seized their swords, Sigeferth and Eaha, And to the other door Ordlaf and Guthlaf, And Hengest who followed to help the defense. 20 Now Guthere restrained Garulf from strife, Lest fearless at the first of the fight he rush To the door and daringly endanger his life, Since now it was stormed by so stalwart a hero. But unchecked by these words a challenge he shouted, 25 Boldly demanding what man held the door. "I am Sigferth," he said, "the Secgan's prince; Wide have I wandered; many woes have I known And bitter battles. Be it bad or good Thou shalt surely receive what thou seekest from me." 30 At the wall by the door rose the din of battle; In the hands of heroes the hollow bucklers Shattered the shields. Shook then the hall floor Till there fell in the fight the faithful Garulf, Most daring and doughty of the dwellers on earth, 35 The son of Guthlaf; and scores fell with him. O'er the corpses hovered the hungry raven, Swarthy and sallow-brown. A sword-gleam blazed As though all Finnsburg in flames were burning. Never heard I of heroes more hardy in war, 40 Of sixty who strove more strongly or bravely, Of swains who repaid their sweet mead better Than his loyal liegemen to their loved Hnæf. Five days they fought, but there fell not a one Of the daring band, though the doors they held always. 45 Now went from the warfare a wounded chief. He said that his burnie was broken asunder, His precious war-gear, and pierced was his helmet. Then questioned their chief and inquired of him How the warriors recovered from the wounds they received, 50 Or which of the youths . . . . . . .