xi + 161 pp., b/w illustrations. A verse translation based on a 9-syllable line (see 31ff.). Alain Renoir's Introduction (1-26) discusses structural and thematic elements of the poem; it is followed by a briefer introduction by Greenfield on the translation (17-34) and a note on pronunciation (35). The translation is followed by genealogical tables and a glossary of proper names.

Artwork by Sarah Higley is uncredited on title or copyright page, but acknowledged in a preface (x); her pen drawings appear as the frontispiece (gnarled tree with raven) and on pp. 39 (ship sailing and whale), 68 (horn-gables of Heorot displaying Grendel's arm), 85 (monster mere and Æschere's head), 115 (serpentine dragon and cup), and 143 (dead dragon at the base of a cliff).

The translation begins:

Indeed, we have heard of the Spear-Danes'
glory, and their kings', in days gone by,
how princes displayed their courage then.

Often Scyld Scefing shattered the hosts,
unsettled many a nation's mead-hall,
terrorized tribes, since first he was found
abandoned; comfort and abundance
later came his way, and worldly fame,
until neighboring nations, near or
far over whale-big seas, obeyed him,
gave tribute: a good king in deed! (37)

And ends:

Then battle-brave sons of high-born men,
twelve in all, rode around the mound
to bewail their care and mourn their king,
compose sad lays and speak of the man:
they praised his prowess and applauded
his brave deeds. So is it proper
that a man outwardly honor his lord,
love him in his heart, when his spirit
has been led forth from his body.
Thus his hearth-companions in the host
of the Geats mourned the going of their lord:
They said that of worldly kings he was
the mildest of men and the gentlest,
most kind to his people, most eager for fame. (143-44)

• Hugh Magennis, Translating Beowulf: Modern Versions in English Verse (Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 2011), 198-99.

BAM.