Book is lxv + 121 pp. The first paperback form of Kennedy's translation (1940). The book includes his full original introduction as well as the bibliography and glossary of proper names following the translation. This edition is given its own entry because of cover art that reuses an image from another Beowulf retelling: the cover illustration is a revised version of Severin's illustration of Beowulf and Wiglaf fighting the dragon (originally published in Ian Serraillier's children's book Beowulf the Warrior, 1954, p. 41). The image was given in black and white by Severin; here, the figure of Beowulf is colored red, as part of the cover design credited to David Laufer.

The translation begins:

[The Danish Court and the Raids of Grendel]

Lo! we have listened to many a lay
Of the Spear-Danes' fame, their splendor of old,
Their mighty princes, and martial deeds!
Many a mead-hall Scyld, son of Sceaf,
Snatched from the forces of savage foes.
From a friendless foundling, feeble and wretched,
He grew to a terror as time brought change.
He throve under heaven in power and pride
Till alien peoples beyond the ocean
Paid toll and tribute. A good king he! (3)

And ends:

Then round the mound rode the brave in battle,
The sons of warriors, twelve in a band,
Bemoaning their sorrow and mourning their king.
They sang their dirge and spoke of the hero
Vaunting his valor and venturous deeds.
So is it proper a man should praise
His friendly lord with a loving heart,
When his soul must forth from the fleeting flesh.
So the folk of the Geats, the friends of his hearth,
Bemoaned the fall of their mighty lord;
Said he was kindest of worldly kings,
Mildest, most gentle, most eager for fame. (100-1)

BAM (from 6th printing).