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Beowulf

  • Genre/Type Descriptor(s)
    Translation from Old English
     
    Language(s)
    English
  • Translator
    Alexander, Michael
  • Publisher
    Penguin
    Date
    2001
  • Relationships
    (Downstream) Revised as -> Beowulf, Alexander, Michael (2006)
  • Identifying Numbers
    ISBN: 0140447881
     
    Descriptive Notes

    Revised edition of Alexander's 1973 full verse translation, preceded by a lengthy introduction (xiii-lxvi) and followed by a translation of The Fight at Finnsburgh (114-16), notes (117-31), map (132), and a glossary of proper names (133-37). Alexander indicates in his new preface (xi-xii) that there have been some adjustments to the translation itself, but the greatest changes are to its paratexts: a new introduction, fuller notes, etc. The updated select bibliography is now incorporated into the introductory material.

    The translation begins:

    Attend!
    We have heard of the thriving of the throne of Denmark,
    how the folk-kings flourished in former days,
    how those royal athelings earned that glory.

    Was it not Scyld Shefing that shook the halls,
    took mead-benches, taught encroaching
    foes to fear him—who, found in childhood,
    lacked clothing? Yet he lived and prospered,
    grew in strength and stature under the heavens
    until the clans settled in the sea-coasts neighbouring
    over the whale-road all must obey him
    and give tribute. He was a good king! (3; italics as in original)

    And ends:

    Then the warriors rode around the barrow,
    twelve of them in all, athelings' sons.
    They recited a dirge to declare their grief,
    spoke of the man, mourned their king.
    They praised his manhood and the prowess of his hands,
    they raised his name; it is right a man
    should be lavish in honouring his lord and friend,
    should love him in his heart when the leading-forth
    from the house of flesh befalls him at last.

    This was the manner of the mourning of the men of the Geats,
    sharers in the feast, at the fall of their lord:
    they said that he was of all the world's kings
    the gentlest of men, and the most gracious,
    the kindest to his people, the keenest for fame. (113)

     
    Notes on Prior Documentation

    This revised edition not noted in MO2.

     
    Authentication

    BAM.

  • Last Updated
    04/01/2022