x + 163 pp. An uncredited reproduction of the Gummere verse translation that falsely represents this Modern English version as "the original text" of Beowulf (front cover; running page footer throughout) and as "the complete text of the original work" (back cover). Gummere's name is nowhere mentioned, nor is there any indication for the book's student audiences that it does not contain the original Old English.

An email sent to SparkNotes Customer Service on 1/21/20, alerting the publisher to these problems of misrepresentation and non-attribution in an educational resource, elicited the following response the next day: "Thank you so much for letting us know about this error; we appreciate you bringing it to our attention … We'll forward your email to our editorial team, and they'll review the content and make any necessary corrections as soon as possible!"

Gummere's text is presented in alternation (by short chapters) with a "modern interpretation," a simplified prose paraphrase that is not credited by name (the publisher's website indicates that its modernizing paraphrases are written by editorial teams). These intercalated translations are preceded by a short character list (ix-x).

The "original text" (i.e., the Modern English translation by Gummere) begins:

[title] Prelude of the Founder of the Danish House

Lo, praise of the prowess of people-kings
of spear-armed Danes, in days long sped,
we have heard, and what honor the athelings won!
Oft Scyld the Scefing from squadroned foes,
from many a tribe, the mead-bench tore,
awing the earls. Since erst he lay
friendless, a foundling, fate repaid him:
for he waxed under welkin, in wealth he throve,
till before him the folk, both far and near,
who house by the whale-path, heard his mandate,
gave him gifts: a good king he! (2)

And its "modern interpretation" begins:

[title] Prelude of the Founder of the Danish House

Long ago, the Spear-Danes and their kings were a mighty people. We have all heard about their power and glory. We have heard of Scyld Scefing, who destroyed his enemies and their drinking halls. Though he was an orphan, he rose to become king, and his people showered him with gifts. He was a great king. (4)

The "original text" (Gummere's translation) ends:

Then about that barrow the battle-keen rode,
atheling-born, a band of twelve,
lament to make, to mourn their king,
chant their dirge, and their chieftain honor.
They praised his earlship, his acts of prowess
worthily witnessed: and well it is
that men their master-friend mightily laud,
heartily love, when hence he goes
from life in the body forlorn away.

Thus made their mourning the men of Geatland,
for their hero's passing his hearth-companions:
quoth that of all the kings of earth,
of men he was mildest and most beloved,
to his kin the kindest, keenest for praise. (162)

And the "modern interpretation" ends:

Twelve knights rode around the memorial mound. They sang the praises of their departed lord and told of his bravery. It is good for men to praise their masters when they leave this earth.

And this is how the men of Geatland mourned the passing of their king, who was the most eager for glory, the most heroic, the most generous, and the most loving of all the kings of earth. (163)

BAM.