In Beowulf, how might Wiglaf's recollections of the past foreshadow the future of the Geats?

In the epic Beowulf, the King of the
Geats, Beowulf, has just died in section 39, abandoned by all his men but the young
warrior, Wiglaf.

Therefore, in section 40, as Wiglaf shares
the story of Beowulf's fate, he also shares a history of those warriors and kings who
came before Beowulf. Wiglaf speaks of fighting and the death. He recounts how, when it
seemed all was lost, relief and support came at the last moment, when all believed there
was no hope.

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But rescue came
with dawn of day for
those desperate men
when they heard the horn of Hygelac sound,
tones
of his trumpet; the trusty king
had followed their trail with faithful
band.

Wiglaf's memories of
the past may well foreshadow the future of the Geats, but in light of the abandonment of
Beowulf in his hour of need, the story may have a different
outcome.

Rescue comes from Hygelac, Beowulf's uncle. He was
a man that Beowulf loved and honored. Beowulf, much like his uncle as a man and ruler,
would have risked all, to also arrive when there seemed little hope of deliverance, to
save his people. However, now that Beowulf has died because of the cowardice of most of
his men, the fate of the Geats may be very different, as Beowulf is not alive to rescue
them in their hour of need. Wiglaf's recollections may well foreshadow doom for the
Geats under the present circumstances.