Book is viii + 635 pp. An anthology of literature in English, for Italian students; introductions and main texts are in English, with notes in Italian. Three titled extracts from Beowulf are given, in Charles Kennedy's translation: "Beowulf and His Companions March along the Street," "Beowulf's Speech to Hrothgar," and "Beowulf's Death" (this final one is discontinuous, omitting the section in which Wiglaf returns with treasure to show Beowulf). The short introduction to Beowulf gives a very cursory overview of the story, but given the selection of excerpts provided, no meaningful context for them other than the fact that Beowulf dies after fighting a dragon.

The first extract, "Beowulf and His Companions March along the Street," begins:

The street had paving of colored stone;
Th epath was plain to the marching men.
Bright were their byrnies, hard and hand-linked;
In their shining armor the chain-mail sang
As the troop in their war-gear tramped to the hall. (3)

And ends:

And Wulfgar answered, the Wendel prince,
Renowned for merit in many a land,
For war-might and wisdom: "I will learn the wish
Of the Scylding leader, the lord of the Danes,
Our honored ruler and giver of rings,
Concerning your mission, and soon report
The answer our leader thinks good to give." (4)

The second passage, "Beowulf's Speech to Hrothgar," begins:

Beowulf spoke; his byrny glittered,
His war-net woven by cunning of smith:
"Hail! King Hrothgar! I am Hygelac's thane,
Hygelac's kinsman. Many a deed
Of honor and daring I've done in my youth.["] (4)

And ends:

["]There'll be little need longer to care for my body!
If the battle slays me, to Hygelac send
This best of corselets that covers my breast,
Heirloom of Hrethel, and Wayland's work,
Finest of byrnies. Fate goes as Fate must!" (6)

The third excerpt, "Beowulf's Death," begins:

Beowulf spoke, though his hurt was sore,
The wounds of battle grievous and grim.
Full well he weened that his life was ended,
And lal the joy of his years on earth;
That his days were done, and Death most near[.] (6)

And ends:

"You are hte last of the Wægmunding line.
All my kinsmen, earls in their glory,
Fate has sent to their final doom,
And I must follow." These words were the last
The old king spoke ere the pyre received him,
The leaping flames of the funeral blaze,
And his breath went forth from his bosom, his soul
Went forth from the flesh, to the joys of the just. (8)

Not in Fry, MO1, GR, or MO2.

BAM.