113 pp. (unpaginated), with several illustrations: these are hand drawings in copies 1-10, converted to relief etchings for printing copies 11-300. A very limited edition of 300 or 310 copies (the limitation statement is self-contradictory about the exact number). Limitation colophon: "THIS NEW TRANSLATION OF | BEOWULF | by | JOHN PORTER | Is presented in an Edition of | 310 copies, 1 to 10 | On Chilham Paper with Drawings | by NICHOLAS PARRY | Nos 11 to 300 | are printed on Views of the Rhine | paper & on Glastonbury with | relief etchings from the drawings. | Printed in 12 pt Baskerville on | the Arab press by Nicholas & | Mary Parry. All rights reserved. | TERN PRESS | 1984" followed by the handwritten copy number and signature of Porter (p. [113]). Numbers 46 and 289 seen; no. 46 is signed also by the artist, Parry, beneath the limitation statement.

Illustrations are on pp. [13], [14], [27], [28], [51], [52], [61], [62], [103], [104], [109], and [110].

An uncorrected reprint was published in 1988 by Llanerch Enterprises, Felinfach, Lampeter, Dyfed, Wales (ISBN: 0947992138): the typographical error "or" for "of" remains from 1st ed. on final line of the prefatory note "Beowulf: Introduction." This reprint includes all illustrations. Most are lower-quality exact reproductions, but the cover illustration is also simplified (removing the decorative interlace containing runes which originally appeared above Beowulf's head as he grapples with dragon); this simplified illustration is added to a new, second title page including the publication information of both the 1st ed. and this reprint; and the illustration on the original title page (which is also retained) has added color not present in 1st ed. The reprint is slightly smaller-format because leaves are trimmed closer to the text block and images, but these are not resized.

The translation begins:

Listen.

We know of the Spear-Danes' greatness,
how the tribe's chiefs and leaders did
deeds of courage in days gone by.

Though he was found destitute as a child,
Scyld Scefing lived to make that good;
he grew in the world, walked in honour,
he captured mead-seats from enemy clans,
terrorized the chiefs of many tribes,
until all neighbouring nations around
the whale's road must submit to him
and pay him tribute; this was a good king. ([11])

And ends:

Then around the mound rode noble,
battle-tested warriors, twelve together,
wanting to give tongue to their grief,
in a lay of lamentation for the dead king.
They praised his heroism, his acts of courage,
acclaimed his prowess, paying homage
and heartfelt devotion in deeds and words,
as is fit for men to do when life
leaves the body of their lord and friend.

So the Geatish people, companions
of his hearth, grieved for their lord's fall.
Of all kings in the world he was,
they said, the mildest of men, most gentle,
kindest to his nation, and keenest for fame. ([107])

This work not in MO2. MO2 1975(b) mentions the 1988 Llanerch reprint of this 1984 book, but incorrectly identifies the 1988 text as a version of a different book by Porter, his 1975 Beowulf: Anglo-Saxon Text with Modern English Parallel. There is no textual connection between the two.

BAM (limited 1st ed., Tern Press, copies 46 [bound in quarter suede and cork, with title "Beowulf" clipped from original paper cover and glued to spine] and 289 [in original paper cover]; and reprint, Llanerch Press).