Book is xvi + 992 pp. Vol. 2, British Literature: From Blake to the Present Day, ed. Hazelton Spencer, Walter E. Houghton, and Herbert Barrows, followed in 1952. The 2nd edition of this anthology (1963) leaves its Beowulf section unaltered and introduces few changes to its larger context.

The Beowulf translation is that of Charles W. Kennedy (1940) and "has been reprinted in full, except for a few digressions in the poet's narrative and one passage of superfluous recapitulation" (10), which are replaced by Spencer's own summaries: these omitted passages correspond to ll. 874b-915 (the account of the scop's horseback performance riding back from the mere), 1068-159a (the Finnsburh episode), 1197-214a (the history of the Brosinga necklace), 1931b-62 (contrast of Hygd to [Mod]Thryth), 2024b-69a (Beowulf's forecast of the failure of Freawaru's intended marriage to bring peace between the Danes and Heathobards), 2910b-3007a (the messenger's prediction of renewed war after Beowulf's death), and 3058-109 (Wiglaf's explanation of Beowulf's dying request).

The translation begins:

SCYLD OF THE SPEAR-DANES

How he came as a foundling; how he ruled, conquered, and established a dynasty; and how, when he died, his warriors gave his body back to the sea.

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! (11)

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. (40)

Not in Fry, MO1, GR, or MO2.

BAM (1st and 2nd editions).