xxiii + 93 pp. No. 159 in the Riverside Literature Series. A prose translation preceded by a substantial "Introductory Sketch" (iii-xxiii) and followed by a few commentary notes. The translation begins:

[Heading:] Of Scyld Scefing (from whom Hrothgar sprang, whom Beowulf befriended) and his death.

Lo! We have heard tell of the might in days of old of the Spear-Danes' folk-kings, how deeds of prowess were wrought by the athelings. Oft Scyld Scefing reft away their mead-benches from the throngs of his foes, from many a people. Fear came of the earl, after he was found at the first in his need. Redress he won for that, waxed under the clouds, throve in his glories, till of them that dwelt nigh him over the whale-road, each must obey him, and pay him tribute. That was a good king! (1)

And ends:

Then about the mound rode the sons of athelings brave in battle, twelve in all. They were minded to speak their sorrow, lament their king, frame sorrow in words and tell of the hero. They praised his earlship and did honor to his prowess as best they knew. It is meet that a man thus praise his liege-lord in words, hold him dear in his heart, when he must forth from the body to become as a thing that is naught.

So the Geat-folk, his hearth-comrades, grieved for their lord, said that he was a king like to none other in the world, of men the mildest and most gracious to men, the most friendly to his people and most eager to win praise. (86)

In the "Introductory Sketch," Child prints lines 1-11 in Old English, followed by his own verse rendering, as follows:

Hwæt! wē Gār-Dena     in gēar-dagum
þēod-cyninga     þrym gefrūnon,
hū þā æþelingas     ellen fremedon.
Oft Scyld Scēfing     sceaþena þrēatum,
monegum mǣgþum,     meodo-setla oftēah.
Egsode earl,     syþþan ǣrest wearþ
fēa-sceaft funden;     hē þæs frōfre gebād,
wēox under wolcnum,     weorþ-myndum þāh,
oþ þæt him ǣghwylc     þāra ymb-sittendra
ofer hron-rāde     hȳran scolde,
gomban gyldan.     Þæt wæs gōd cyning! (xxii; Child sets the b-verses in a second left-aligned column)

Lo! Of the Spear-Danes in days long sped,
Of the lords of that folk, have we learned the glory,
How deeds of daring were done by their athelings.
Oft Scyld Scefing from scathers thronging,
From many a people, their mead-seats reft.
Fear befell of the earl, after first, for their finding,
He came all helpless. Requital he knew for it,
Waxed 'neath the welkin, in worship throve,
Till each and every earl that dwelt nigh him,
Over the whale-path, must hearken his word,
And tribute pay him. He was truly a good king! (xxii; italics as in original)

BAM.