After Beowulf tore the arm from the monster Grendel, harrower of King Hrothgar’s hall, the Danes raced joyfully to see the hall, observing Beowulf’s victory and the glory that had for so long been stained by fear of Grendel. A skillful singer recited poetry in Beowulf’s praise, and Hrothgar thanked him heartily. Beowulf demurred, saying he would be better pleased if he had seen Grendel’s corpse, but that he was sure the monster would soon perish from the wound where its arm had been torn away.