renown

The arm that Beowulf can  bear, by right
was Grendel's 'til he took the Danes for meat
corporeal reminder of the night
when Denmark learned the value of a Geat.
Between their raids along the British coast
Danes recognized (some) Britons as their kin
familial liaisons of guest, to host
were critical in lands without an inn!
Like Hrothgar, Beowulf produced no son
at last, there's only Wiglaf at his side
no dynasty inherits what he'd won
and only poets know how well he died.
The king who gets no heir's got something wrong
bards build their patrons' ancestry through song.

succession

The arm the Beowulf can  bear, by right
he won in Europe at the wrestling meet
corporeal reminder of the night
all Denmark's honor rested on one Geat.
The finest Sheffield blade can't make a nick;
grim Grendel's hide was proof against such harm
but leverage and flexors did the trick.
His Geatish charm left enemies disarmed.
His gracious host and hostess have no son
to guard the realm when monsters stalk the moor
nor daughter to reward the doughty one
a surer ward than steel, or oaken door.
The Chaos dragon coils beneath all things
to strike when she detects infertile kings.