He had scant regard for the dragon as a threat, no dread at all of its courage or strength, for he had kept going often in the past, through perils and ordeals of every sort

Yet the prince of the rings was too proud
to line up with a large army
against the sky-plague. He had scant regard
for the dragon as a threat, no dread at all
of its courage or strength, for he had kept going
often in the past, through perils and ordeals
of every sort, after he had purged
Hrothgar’s hall, triumphed in Heorot
and beaten Grendel.

– Beowulf, Seamus Heaney (trans.)

Lines 2345-2353: Beowulf has no fear of the fire-breathing dragon. Though he commands skilled soldiers, the proud king thinks he can and should take on the dragon alone. A little too courageous for a king perhaps.

Beowulf Quotes