<P> When Beowulf damages his sword wounding the dragon and is burned by the dragon's fire, Wiglaf is the only man of Beowulf's band to overcome his fear of the dragon . He rebukes the other thanes and goes to Beowulf's aid crying words of encouragement . </P> <P> Wiglaf does not retreat, though his shield is consumed by fire . When Beowulf wounds the dragon a second time, striking so hard his sword shatters, Wiglaf strikes at the open wound with his own sword, tearing at the dragon's throat so it can no longer breathe fire . His hand is badly burned, but his attack allows Beowulf to close and kill the dragon . The poet says of Wiglaf, "So should a man be, a thane at need!" </P> <P> At Beowulf's command, Wiglaf gathers treasure from the dragon's lair and piles it where Beowulf can see it . The dying Beowulf tells Wiglaf to "watch his people's needs" (by which he means that Wiglaf is to become the next king .) He tells Wiglaf to build him a funeral mound and gives Wiglaf his rings, helm, and mail - shirt . He says that Wiglaf is now "the last of the Wægmundings ." </P> <P> The other eleven men that came with Beowulf gather around the body, and Wiglaf condemns them for their failure of duty and declares that he will order them exiled . He sends a messenger to tell the other Geats what has happened . When the Geats have gathered, Wiglaf addresses them, mourning Beowulf's death and expressing dismay at the bleak future of the Geats without Beowulf to guard them . </P>

Who was wiglaf and what did he do