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Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Poem, and The Fight at Finnsburg

  • Genre/Type Descriptor(s)
    Translation from Old English
     
    Language(s)
    English
  • Translator
    Garnett, James M.
    Contributor
    Huguenin, Julian
  • City
    Boston
    Publisher
    Ginn & Company
    Date
    1902
  • Relationships
  • Descriptive Notes

    This new impression of the 4th edition of Garnett's translation revises the 1900 impression by adding updated bibliography to his Introduction. Garnett's translation is preceded by his Prefaces to all 4 editions, his Introduction (now including a new section, "Additions to the Bibliography, for the Impression of 1902," after the several previous sets of additions), the Glossary of Proper Names, and the list of Old English words used in the translation. It is followed by Garnett's translation of The Fight at Finnsburg (97-98) and his notes on both texts (99-110).

    The translation begins:

    BEOWULF AND GRENDEL
    I.

    Scyld and his descendants. Hrothgar and the building of Heorot. The coming of Grendel, and his evil deeds. Hrothgar's great sorrow.

    Lo! we of the Spear Danes', in days of yore,
    Warrior-kings' glory have heard,
    How the princes heroic deeds wrought.
    Oft Scyld, son of Scef, from hosts of foes,
    From many tribes, their mead-seats took;
    The earl caused terror since first he was
    Found thus forlorn: gained he comfort for that,
    Grew under the clouds, in honors throve,
    Until each one of those dwelling around
    Over the whale-road, him should obey,
    Should tribute pay: that was a good king! (1)

    And ends:

    Then 'round the mound the battle-brave rode,
    Children of nobles (they were twelve in all),
    Their sorrow would tell, grieve for their king,
    Their mourning utter, and about the man speak;
    His earlship they praised, and his noble deeds
    They extolled to the courtiers, as it is right
    That one his dear lord in word should praise,
    With soul him love, when he shall forth
    From his own body be severed by death.
    So then lamented the folk of the Geats
    The fall of their lord, the hearth-companions,
    Said that he was a mighty king,
    Mildest to men and most tender-hearted,
    To his folk most kind and fondest of praise. (96)

     
    Authentication

    Inferred from information in the 1900 and 1906 prints of the 4th edition.

  • Last Updated
    05/26/2025