Book is xviii + 110 pp. The translator's name is given on the title page as "Jno: Lesslie Hall." The verse translation is preceded by a preface (vii-x, including a summary of the story on pp. ix-x), a bibliography of prior translations (xi-xii), and glossaries of proper names and uncommon words used in the translation (xiii-xviii); it is followed by a list of addenda to the glossary of the Heyne-Socin edition (1888) from which Hall translates (109-10). The preface includes a substantive explanation of Hall's metrical and dictional approach, with comments on the choices previous translators have made. The translation is accompanied with summary notes in the outer margin.

This 1893 issue of the book makes the following alterations to the original 1892 issue: the removal from the title page of the notice that the work was a doctoral thesis; the addition on the title page of the degree annotation "Ph.D. (J.H.U.)" after Hall's name; and the removal of the biographical sketch of Hall that had originally appeared at the end of the book. I deem these changes, though small and strictly paratextual, to be a meaningful revision of the book's presentation by the publisher, in that they submerge its original function as degree-qualifying work and assert its authority. The book was reissued in 1908 without further changes (even the statement in the preface speaking of Harrison and Sharp's 4th edition as a future publication—in 1908, it had been in print for 15 years—remains).

Hall's prefatory summary of Beowulf begins:

Hrothgar, king of the Danes, or Scyldings, builds a great mead-hall, or palace, in which he hopes to feast his liegemen and to give them presents. The joy of king and retainers is, however, of short duration. Grendel, the monster, is seized with hateful jealousy. He cannot brook the sounds of joyance that reach him down in his fen-dwelling near the hall. Oft and anon he goes to the joyous building, bent on direful mischief. Thane after thane is ruthlessly carried off and devoured, while no one is found strong enough and bold enough to cope with the monster. For twelve years he persecutes Hrothgar and his vassals. (ix)

And ends:

Beowulf subsequently becomes king of his own people, the Geats. After he has been ruling for fifty years, his own neighborhood is wofully harried by a fire-spewing dragon. Beowulf determines to kill him. In the ensuing struggle both Beowulf and the dragon are slain. The grief of the Geats is inexpressible. They determine, however, to leave nothing undone to honor the memory of their lord. A great funeral-pyre is built, and his body is burnt. Then a memorial-barrow is made, visible from a great distance, that sailors afar may be constantly reminded of the prowess of the national hero of Geatland.

The poem closes with a glowing tribute to his bravery, his gentleness, his goodness of hear, and his generosity. (x; "wofully" sic)

The full translation begins:

[title] THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SCYLD.

Lo! the Spear-Danes' glory through splendid achievements
The folk-kings' former fame we have heard of,
How princes displayed then their prowess-in-battle.
Oft Scyld the Scefing from scathers in numbers
From many a people their mead-benches tore.
Since first he found him friendless and wretched,
The earl had had terror: comfort he got for it,
Waked 'neath the welkin, world-honor gained,
Till all his neighbors o'er sea were compelled to
Bow to his bidding and bring him their tribute:
An excellent atheling! (1)

And ends:

'Round the dead-mound rode then the doughty-in-battle,
Bairns of all twelve of the chiefs of the people,
More would they mourn, lament for their ruler,
Speak in measure, mention him with pleasure,
Weighed his worth, and his warlike achievements
Mightily commended, as 'tis meet one praise his
Liegelord in words and love him in spirit,
When forth from his body he fares to destruction.
So lamented mourning the men of the Geats,
Fond-loving vassals, the fall of their lord,
Said he was the gentlest of kings under heaven,
Mildest of men and most philanthropic,
Friendliest to folk-troops and fondest of honor. (107)

BAM (1893 edition and 1908 reprint); the 1893 copy seen lacked a few pages of its front matter, for which I have compensated using digital images of a copy at Harvard University, viewed via Hathitrust.org.