xxv + 113 pp. A revised version of Rebsamen's 1991 verse translation in which he has "concentrat[ed] on improvement of the poetry" of his original version (vii): see, for example, changes in ll. 4a, 4b, 8a, and 9b in the opening passage quoted below. The translation remains freely creative, with minimal punctuation.
As in the introduction to the 1991 version, Rebsamen explains that he has attempted "to adhere strictly to the rules of alliteration, to imitate … the stress patterns of Old English half-lines, and to choose Modern English words and compounds that give at least some idea of the strength and radiance of the original" (xxi); and that he has "reluctantly inserted … prose explanations of obscure passages" (xxii). Examples of these prose interjections include a blurb on Unferth (17) and a transition from Wealhtheow's speech to the Finnsburh episode (39). The translation is preceded by a new introductory note to this edition (vii) and the original introduction (ix-xxiii), and is followed by genealogical tables, a select glossary of proper names, and a brief select bibliography.
The translation begins:
Yes! We have heard of years long vanished
how Spear-Danes struck sang victory songs
raised from a wasteland walls of glory.
When Scyld Scefing shamed his enemies
measured meadhalls made them his own
since down by the sea-swirl sent from nowhere
the Danes found him floating with gifts
bound to their shore. Scyld grew tall then
roamed the waterways rode through the lands
till every strongman each warleader
sailed the whalepaths sought him with gold
there knelt to him. That was a king! (2)
And ends:
Around the barrow-base rode the lost ones
twelve good spearmen circled the mound
mourned their hall-lord hailed their good king
spoke of his courage sang their word-songs
praised his earlship and his proud throne-years
as good men should when their shieldman has gone.
A good wine-lord needs words of praise
love from his people when he leaves this earth
when breath is borne from his body at last.
So the Geats went grieving gathered by the mound.
Hearth-companions praised their lost one
named him the ablest of all world-kings
mildest of men and most compassionate
most lithe to his people most loving of praise. (101)
BAM (from 2006 reprint).