User: Can you write me a poem about conybeare in the style of George Hamlin Fitch?
Assistant: Sure, here's a poem about conybeare in the style of George Hamlin Fitch:
  It is hoped that the essay may prove useful as a contribution to
Sharon Turner’s Extracts
Thorkelin’s Edition
Grundtvig’s Translation
Conybeare’s Extracts
Kemble’s Edition
Ettmüller’s Translation
Schaldemose’s Translation
Wackerbarth’s Translation
Thorpe’s Edition
Grein’s Translation
Simrock’s Translation
Heyne’s Translation
Von Wolzogen’s Translation
Arnold’s Edition
Botkine’s Translation
Lumsden’s Translation
Garnett’s Translation
Grion’s Translation
Wickberg’s Translation
Earle’s Translation
J. L. Hall’s Translation
Hoffmann’s Translation
Morris and Wyatt’s Translation
Simons’s Translation
Steineck’s Translation
J. R. Clark Hall’s Translation
Tinker’s Translation
Leo’s Digest
Sandras’s Account
E. H. Jones’s Paraphrase
Zinsser’s Selection
Gibb’s Paraphrase
Wägner and Macdowall’s Paraphrase
Therese Dahn’s Paraphrase
Stopford Brooke’s Selections
Miss Ragozin’s Paraphrase
A. J. Church’s Paraphrase
Miss Thomson’s Paraphrase
‘Tractatus nobilissimus Poeticè scriptus. Præfationis hoc est
initium.’
The first nineteen lines follow, transcribed with a few errors.
‘Initium autem primi Capitis sic se habet.’
Lines 53-73, transcribed with a few errors.
‘In hoc libro, qui Poeseos Anglo-Saxonicæ egregium est exemplum,
descripta videntur bella quæ Beowulfus quidam Danus, ex Regio
Scyldingorum stirpe Ortus, gessit contra Sueciæ Regulos.’ Page
No further notice was taken of the MS. until 1786, when Thorkelin
unintelligible. It would therefore be a safe assumption that such
Translation of Extracts from the first two Parts.
_Points of Difference between the Various Editions._
A part of this may be stated in the words of the author:--
‘The poem had remained untouched and unnoticed both here and
announced it to the public. I could then give it only a hasty
perusal, and from the MS. having a leaf interposed near its
commencement, which belonged to a subsequent part, and from the
to apply a closer attention. But in the year 1818 I took it up
again, as I was preparing my third edition, and then made that
more correct analysis which was inserted in that and the
subsequent editions, and which is also exhibited in the present.’
No further changes were made in later editions of the History.
Sweden.” But this account of the contents of the MS. is
Beowulf and Hrothgar and their partisans make to each other, with
Hunferth spoke
Who had sat at the foot
Of the lord of the Scyldingi
Among the band of the battle mystery.
To go in the path of Beowulf
Was to him a great pride;
He was zealous
That to him it should be granted
That no other man
Was esteemed greater in the world
Under the heavens than himself.
‘Art thou Beowulf
He that with such profit
Dwells in the expansive sea,
Amid the contests of the ocean?
There yet for riches go!
You try for deceitful glory
In deep waters.--
Nor can any man,
Whether dear or odious,
Restrain you from the sorrowful path--
There yet with eye-streams
To the miserable you flourish:
You meet in the sea-street;
You oppress with your hands;
You glide over the ocean’s waves;
The fury of winter rages,
Yet on the watery domain
Seven nights have ye toiled.’
In the second edition the following lines were added:--
‘After Hunferthe, another character is introduced:
Dear to his people,
of the land of the Brondingi;
the Lord of fair cities,
where he had people,
barks, and bracelets,
the faithful companion
menaced.
“Then I think
worse things will be to thee,
thou noble one!
Every where the rush
of grim battle will be made.
If thou darest the grendles,
the time of a long night
will be near to thee.”’
“Art thou Beowulf,
he that with such profit
labours on the wide sea,
amid the contests of the ocean?
There you for riches,
and for deceitful glory,
explore its bays
in the deep waters,
till you sleep with your elders.
Nor can any man restrain you,
whether dear or odious to you,
from this sorrowful path.
There you rush on the wave;
there on the water streams:
from the miserable you flourish.
You place yourselves in the sea-street;
you oppress with your hands;
you glide over the ocean
through the waves of its seas.
The fury of the winter rages,
yet on the watery domain
seven nights have ye toiled.”’
Ever acquired under heaven
more of the world’s glory
than himself.]
Ye sleep not with your ancestors.]
You glide over the ocean
on the waves of the sea.]
‘Via tandem mihi data fuit ad desideratum nimis diu divini vatis
Danici incomparabile opus. Arcta etenim, quæ nos et Britannos
intercessit amicitia, me allexit, ut, clementissime annuentibus
Augustissimis patriæ patribus CHRISTIANO VII. et FREDERICO VI.
iter in Britanniam anno seculi præteriti LXXXVI. ad thesauros
bibliothecarum Albionensium perscrutandos facerem....
A curatoribus, Musæi Britannici, aliarumque Bibliothecarum,
potestas mihi data [est] inspiciendi, tractandi, et exscribendi
Richardus Southgate dicti Musæi Brit. præfecti in me sua officia
humanissime contulerunt. Optimo igitur successu et uberrimo cum
fructu domum reversus sum ...’ (pp. viii, ix).
edition. The account of his studies continues:--
‘Quæcunque igitur possent hoc meum negotium adjuvare, comparare
coepi, magnamque librorum copiam unde quaque congessi, quorum
opera carmen aggrederer. In hoc me sedulum ita gessi, ut opus
totum anno MDCCCVII confecerim, idem brevi editurus ...’ (p. xv).
We have seen how Sharon Turner could describe the _Beowulf_.
Hunferþ maleode                 _Hunferd_ loquebatur
Ecglafes bearn                  _Ecglavi_ filius,
Þe æt fotum sæt                 Qui ad pedes sedit
On band beadu                   Emeritus stipendiis
Beowulfes siþ modges            _Beowulfi_ itinere elati
Mere faran                      Maria sulcando
Micel æfþunca                   Magna indignatio,
For þon þe he ne uþe     10     Propterea quod ille nesciret
Þæt ænig oþer man               Ullum alium virum
Æfre mærþa                      Magis celebrem
Þon ma middangardes             In mundo
Gehedde under heofenum          Nominari sub coelo
Þon he sylfa eart               Quam se ipsum.
Se þe wiþ breccan               Qui ob prædas
Wunne on sidne sæ               Ceris per latum æquor
Ymb sund flite                  Et maria pugnas.
Þær git for wlence       20     Ibi vos ob divitias
Wada cunnedon                   Vada explorastis,
And for dol gilpe               Et ob falsam gloriam
On deop wæter                   Profundas æquas.
Aldrum neþdon                   Annis subacto
Ne mic ænig mon                 Non mihi aliquis
Ne leof ne laþ                  Amicus aut hostis
Belean mighte.                  Objicere potest,
Sorh fullne siþ                 Illacrimabiles expeditiones.
Þa git on sund reon.            Ubi vos per æquora ruistis,
Þa git ea gor stream     30     Ibi fluctus sanguinis rivis
Earmum þehton                   Miseri texistis.
Mæton mere stræta               Metiti estis maris strata:
Mundum brugdon                  Castella terruistis:
Glidon ofer garsecg             Fluitavistis trans æquora.
Geofon yþum                     Salis undæ
Weol wintris wylm               Fervuerunt nimborum æstu.
Git on wæteris æht              Vos in aquarum vadis
Seofon night swuncon            Septem noctibus afflicti fuistis.
Oferflat hæfde          40      Transvolasset,
Mare mægen                      Magis intensæ vires
Þa hine on morgen tid           Illum tempore matutino
On heaþo Ræmis                  In altam Ræmis
Holm up æt baer                 Insulam advexere.
Þonon he gesohte                Deinde petiit
Leof his leodum                 Charam suo populo
Freoþo burh fægere.             Libertate urbem conspicuam
Þaer he folc ahte       50      Ibi populo possessam
Burh and beagas                 Urbem et opes
Beot eal wiþ                    Correpsit. Omne contra
Þe sunu Beanstanes              Tibi filius _Beansteni_
Sode gelæste.                   Vere persolvit.
Line 1, _for_ maleode _read_ maþelode.
Thorkelin perversely transcribed:--
Hwæt wegar Dena....
and for this combination of syllables he chose the translation:--
There is, of course, no such word as ‘wegar’ in Old English.
‘Nothing but malevolence could cavil at the trivial errors which
the very best scholars are daily found to commit, but the case is
destroy the value of a work. I am therefore most reluctantly
compelled to state that not five lines of Thorkelin’s edition can
transcription or translation, does not betray the editor’s utter
ignorance of the Anglo-Saxon language.’ --Edition of 1835,
Introd., p. xxix.
_Reception of Thorkelin’s Edition._
KEMBLE, see supra.
THORPE. (The work of the learned Icelander exhibits) ‘a text
formed according to his ideas of Anglo-Saxon, and accompanied by
See also Grundtvig’s criticism in _Beowulfs Beorh_, pp. xvii ff.
But Rask, upon his return, thought differently, and proposed to
_Differences between the First and Second Editions._
We begin by quoting the author’s words:--
‘I have studied the poem as if I were going to translate it word
for word ... but I will not and have not translated it in that
way, and I will venture to maintain that my translation is a
faithful one, historically faithful, inasmuch as I have never
possesses a poetical sense will see what I mean, and whoever is
deficient in knowledge or sense, or both, may stick to his own
view, if he will only let me stick to mine, which may be weak
readers of the truth of his words”: methinks I need no other
defence as regards connoisseurs and just judges, and if I am much
indefensible.’ --Pages xxxiv, xxxv.
Trætten med Hunferd Drost og Trøsten derover.
Og _Egglavs_ Søn var han,
Men Klammeri han gjorde
Han var en fornem Herre,
Men avindsyg desværre,
Han var ei Bjovulv god;
Som havde Bølgen pløiet
Og Ære høstet der;
Thi Hunferd taalte ikke,
Med Næsen høit i Sky,
At Nogen vilde stikke
Ham selv i Roes og Ry.
‘Er du,’ see det var Skosen,
Som dykked efter Rosen
Og drev i Land med Skam,
Som kæppedes med _Brække_
Og holdt sig ei for brav,
Omflød paa vildne Hav!
I vilde med jer Svømmen
Paa Vandet giøre Blæst,
Men drev dog kun med Strømmen,
Alt som I kunde bedst;
For aldrig Det ei keise
Jeg vilde slig en Klik,
I paa jert Rygte sik.
Paa Landet var I friske,
Men Vand kan slukke Ild,
I svømmed som to Fiske,
Ia, snart som døde Sild;
Da sagtnedes Stoheien,
Der Storm og Bølge strid
Ier viste Vinterveien
Dog, om end Narre begge,
Kom du dog værst deran,
Thi fra dig svømmed Brække
Og blev din Overmand;
Du artig blev tilbage,
Paa høie Romøs Grund,
Hvorfra sin Kaas han satte
Han var en holden Mand;
Der havde han sit Rige,
Og deiligt var hans Slot,
Han elsket var tillige
Af hver sin Undersaat.
Saa _Bjansteens_ Søn udførte
Alt hvad han trued med;
Men da du, som vi hørte,
Kom der saa galt afsted,
Saa tør jeg nok formode,
Om end du giør dig kry,
Det giør slet ingen Gode,
Du brænder dig paany;
Ia, vil en Nat du vove
At bie Grændel her,
Da tør derfor jeg love,
Dig times en Ufærd.’
discussed above.
regarding it is from a scribe in the British Museum.]
Anglo-Saxon Poem concerning the Exploits of Beowulf the Dane, pp.
practically new.
‘Any attempt to restore the metre, and to correct the version
throughout, would have exceeded the bounds, and involved much
discussion foreign to the purpose of the present work. This must
be left to the labours of the Saxon scholar. It is evident,
however, that without a more correct text than that of Thorkelin,
deficiency, may perhaps apologize for the occupying, by this
Collation, so large a space of a work strictly dedicated to other
Hwæt we Gar-Dena              Hwæt wegar Dena
In ȝear-dagum                 In geardagum
Ðeod cyninga                  Þeod cyninga
Ðrym ȝefrunon,                Þrym gefrunon
Hu ða Æðelingas               Hu ða æþelingas
Ellen fremodon. --Page 82.    Ellen fremodon. --Page 3.
The translations are even more interesting:--
Aliquid nos _de_ Bellicorum Danorum     Quomodo Danorum
In diebus antiquis                      In principio
Popularium regum                        Populus Regum
Gloriâ accepimus,                       Gloriam auxerit,
Quomodo tunc principes                  Quomodo principes
Virtute valuerint.                      Virtute promoverit.
popularize the _Beowulf_, he used as a medium of translation a
‘At a single stroke he (Beowulf) cut through the “_ringed bones_”
Through the frail mantle of the quivering flesh
Drove with continuous wound. She to the dust
Fell headlong,--and, its work of slaughter done,
The gallant sword dropp’d fast a gory dew.
Instant, as though heaven’s glorious torch had shone,
Light was upon the gloom,--all radiant light
From that dark mansion’s inmost cave burst forth.
With hardier grasp the thane of Higelac press’d
His weapon’s hilt, and furious in his might
Paced the wide confines of the Grendel’s hold.’
... Ossium annulos fregit; telum per omnem penetravit moribundam
carnem. Illa in pavimentum corruit. Ensis erat cruentus, militare
quàm cum a cœlo lucidus splendet ætheris lampas. Ille per ædes
gradiebatur, incessit juxta muros ensem tenens fortiter a capulo
Higelaci minister irâ ac constantiâ (_sc._ Iratus et constans
but the reference is from the editor, not the author.]
swimming-match.]
A Translation of the Anglo-Saxon Poem of Beowulf, with a copious
‘The text was an improvement on Thorkelin, but still very
faulty;--to say nothing of inaccuracies from want of proper
oversight as the sheets were passing through the press. The
Glossary, though short, was a valuable acquisition ... Of this
edition only 100 copies were printed;--and it was a happy
limitation, as it left room for a new edition as early as 1835,
in which the text was edited with far greater care. All the rest
remained as before, and the Preface was reprinted word for word.’
_The Text of 1835. Kemble’s Scholarship._
language, ascertained by wide and careful examination of all the
cognate tongues, of the hidden springs and ground-principles upon
Persians and alter not, yet the very errors of the old writer are
being and spiritual tendencies of the language itself. The reader
necessity of taking his editor’s qualifications too much for
accomplish this end by printing the text, letter for letter,
as I found it.’ --Preface, pp. xxiv ff.
_Aim of Kemble’s Translation._
interpreting the poem. He therefore made it strictly literal.
‘The translation is a literal one; I was bound to give, word for
word, the original in all its roughness: I might have made it
smoother, but I purposely avoided doing so, because had the Saxon
principally by the want of inflections in New English (since we
have now little more than their position by which to express the
relations of words to one another) are all that I have allowed
myself, and where I have inserted words I have generally printed
them in italics.’ --
Hunferth the son of Eglaf spake, _he_ that sat at the feet of the
was the journey of Beowulf, the proud sea-farer, a great disgust;
thou the Beowulf that didst contend with Brecca on the wide sea,
in a swimming match, where ye for pride explored the fords, and
out of vain glory ventured your lives upon the deep water? nor
might any man, friend or foe, blame your sorrowful expedition:
hands, glided over the ocean; with the waves of the deep the
fury of winter boiled; ye two on the realms of water laboured for
at the morning tide the deep sea bore him up on Hēathoræmes,
whence he sought his own paternal land, dear to his people, the
inaccurate. Kemble’s editions became at once the authoritative
wintrys wylm, so Kemble reads in his text, and for this reading
the translation is correct, but he failed to discern the kenning
to ‘geofon’ in ‘wintrys wylm.’]
First German Translation. Imitative measures.
selections from the _Beowulf_ in his _Engla and Seaxna Scôpas and
Ettmüller gives full expression to his theories and aims:--
‘Vor Allem habe ich so wörtlich als möglich übersetzt, da Treue
das erste Erforderniss einer guten Übersetzung ist. Dann aber war
Einzelheiten wiedergebe. Aber dieweil diese so mühsam an der
Schale knacken, entschlüpft ihnen nicht selten der Kern. Mein
Bestreben war demnach keineswegs, z.B. jeden Vers ängstlich dem
Originale nachzubilden, so dass die genaueste Übereinstimmung
zwischen der Silbenzahl und den Hebungen oder gar dem Klange der
Verse Statt fände. Das wäre ohnehin, ohne der deutschen Sprache
die schreiendste Gewalt anzuthun, unmöglich gewesen. Ich habe
vielmehr darnach mit Sorgfalt gestrebt, die Versbildung des
angelsächsischen Gedichtes mir in allen ihren Erscheinungen klar
zu machen, und dann frei nach dem gewonnenen Schema gearbeitet.
Daher kann ich versichern, dass man für jeden Vers meiner
Übersetzung gewiss ein angelsächsisches Vorbild findet, wenn auch
übrigens der höheren Rhythmik, d.h. dem ästhetisch richtigen
Verhältnisse des Ausdruckes zu dem Ausgedrückten oder, mit
Klopstock zu reden, des Zeitausdruckes oder Tonverhaltes (der
The translation is founded on Kemble’s text of 1835, to which the
Ecglâfes Sohn Hûnferdh da sagte,
der zu Füssen sass dem Fürsten der Skildinge,
entband Beadurunen--ihm war Beowulfes Beginn,
des muthigen Meergängers, mächtig zuwider;
ungern sah er, dass ein andrer Mann
irgend Machtruhmes mehr in Mittelgart,
auf Erden äufnete denn er selber--:
‘Bist du der Beowulf, der mit Breca kämpfte
in sausender See, im Sundkampfe?
Ihr da aus Übermuth Untiefen prüftet
und aus Tollmuth ihr in tiefem Wasser
das Leben wagtet; liesset keinen,
nicht Freund noch Feind, da fernen euch
von der sorgvollen That, als zur See ihr rudertet.
Dort ihr den Egistrom mit Armen wandtet,
masset die Meerstrasse, mischtet mit Händen,
glittet über’s Geerried (Glanderfluthen
warf Winters Wuth!), in Wassers Gebiet
sieben Nächt’ ihr sorgtet: Er, Sieger der Wogen,
hatte mehr der Macht, denn zur Morgenzeit ihn
bei Headhoræmes die Hochfluth antrug.--
Von dannen er suchte die süsse Heimat,
lieb seinen Leuten, das Land der Brondinge,
die feste Friedeburg, da Volk er hatte,
Burg und Bauge;--All Erbot wider dich
der Sohn Beanstânes sorglichst erfüllte.’
word-combinations which he often transcribed literally from the
inspiration from Kemble and Thorpe rather than from Ettmüller.
In this book the Old English text and the Danish translation were
indebtedness.
The translation is literal. Grundtvig’s translation had been so
Hunferd sagde,
Kiv han begyndte,
thi kjær var ham ikke
den raske Søfarers,
thi han saae ei gjærne
at en anden Mand
meer Magtroes havde,
under Himmelens Skyer
end selv han aatte:
der med Breca kjæmped’
paa det vide Hav
Havet udforsked’,
og dumdristige
i dybe Vande
vovede Livet;
ei vilde Nogen,
Ven eller Fjende,
afvende eders
sorgfulde Tog;
til Søen I da roed,
vendte med Armene
de vilde Bølger,
maalde Havveien,
med Hænderne brød den,
og svam over Havet
mens Søen vælted
vinterlige Vover;
I strede syv Nætter;
han, Seirer paa Havet,
aatte meer Styrke,
thi aarle on Morgenen
Havet ham førde;
derfra han søgde
feiret af Sine,
hvor et Folk han havde,
Saa blev hvad Beanstans
Søn Dig loved’
sikkerlig opfyldt.
‘With respect to the Work now presented to the Public, shortly
Dictionary. I still however wrought my Way onward, under the
my little Nephews and Nieces, and so I went through about a
Quarter of the Poem when Illness put an entire stop to my
Progress. Afterwards, though the Appearance of Mr. Kemble’s
Matters required my Attention, and the MS. lay untouched until
revised, much being cancelled and retranslated.’ --Introduction,
_Indebtedness to preceding Scholars._
‘In my Version I have scrupulously adhered to the text of Mr.
Kemble, adopting in almost every Instance his Emendations.... My
thanks are due to Mr. Kemble ... to the Rev. Dr. Bosworth ... who
‘I have throughout endeavoured to render the Sense and the Words
either from sacrificing Elegance to Faithfulness (for no
Translator is at liberty to misrepresent his Author and make an
old Saxon Bard speak the Language of a modern Petit Maître) or
from uniting English Words to express important Anglo-Saxon
compounds.... Some may ask why I have not preserved the
Anglo-Saxon alliterative Metre. My Reason is that I do not think
the Taste of the English People would at present bear it. I wish
to get my book read, that my Countrymen may become generally
adopt a Metre suited to the Language; whereas the alliterative
Metre, heavy even in German, a Language much more fitted for it
But haughty Hunferth, Ecg-láf’s Son
Who sat at royal Hróth-gár’s Feet
To bind up Words of Strife begun
And to address the noble Geat.
The proud Sea-Farer’s Enterprize
Was a vast Grievance in his Eyes:
For ill could bear that jealous Man
That any other gallant Thane
On earth, beneath the Heavens’ Span,
Worship beyond his own should gain.
‘Art thou Beó-wulf,’ then he cry’d,
‘With Brecca on the Ocean wide
That didst in Swimming erst contend,
Where ye explor’d the Fords for Pride
And risk’d your Lives upon the Tide
All for vain Glory’s empty End?
And no Man, whether Foe or Friend,
Your sorry Match can reprehend.
O’er Seas ye rowed, your Arms o’erspread
The Waves, and Sea-paths measuréd.
The Spray ye with your Hands did urge,
And glided o’er the Ocean’s Surge;
The Waves with Winter’s fury boil’d
While on the watery Realm ye toil’d,
Thus seven Nights were told,
Till thee at last he overcame,
The stronger in the noble Game.
Then him at Morn the billowy Streams
In triumph bare to Heatho-rǽmes
From whence he sought his Fatherland,
And his own Brondings’ faithful Band,
Where o’er the Folk he held Command,
His Promise well and faithfully
Did Beanstán’s Son perform to thee;
And ill I ween, though prov’d thy Might
In Onslaught dire and deadly Fight,
Twill go with thee, if thou this Night
Dar’st wait for Grendel bold.’
Wackerbarth’s translation is not to be considered as a rival of
Kemble’s--the author did not wish it to be so considered. Kemble
In passages calling for calmness, solemnity, or elevation of
_Author’s Prefatory Remarks._
‘Twenty-four years have passed since, while residing in Denmark,
I first entertained the design of one day producing an edition of
Fortunately, no doubt, for the work, a series of cares, together
with other literary engagements, intervened and arrested my
the appearance of Mr. Kemble’s first edition of the text of
‘My first impulse was to print the text of the poem as it appears
so numerous and so enormous and puerile did the blunders of the
copyist appear, and, consequently, so great the discrepance
between the text and the translation, that I found myself
compelled to admit into the text the greater number of the
conjectural emendations, consigning to the foot of the page the
corresponding readings of the manuscript. In every case which I
thought might by others be considered questionable, I have
followed the more usual course, of retaining in the text the
reading of the manuscript, and placing the proposed correction at
‘Very shortly after I had collated it, the manuscript suffered
still further detriment.
‘In forming this edition I resolved to proceed independently of
the version or views of every preceding editor.’ --Pages vii,
viii, xii, xiii.
_Criticism of Thorpe’s Text._
Emendation unnecessary).
At line 2218 the MS., badly mutilated at this point, reads,
_... slæpende be syre ... de þeofes cræfte._
In Thorpe’s edition the line reads (4443),
_... slæpende be fire, fyrena hyrde þeófes cræfte._
Þæt is undyrne,                    þ̷ is un-dyrne,
dryhten Higelác,                   dryhten Hige-lác,
(uncer) gemeting                   ... ge-meting
monegum fyra,                      monegū fira
hwylce (orleg)-hwíl         5      hwylce ... hwíl
uncer Grendles                     uncer Grendles
wearð on þám wange,                wearð on wange,
þær he worna fela                  þær he worna fela
Sige-Scyldingum                    síge-(Scyl)dingum
sorge gefremede,           10      sorge ge-fremede,
yrmðe tó aldre.                    yrmð(o) tó aldre;
Ic þæt eall gewræc,                ic þ̄ eall ge-wræc,
swá ne gylpan þearf                swá (ne) gylpan ðearf
Grendles maga                      Grendeles maga
(ǽnig) ofer eorðan         15      (ǽnig) ofer eorðan
uht-hlem þone,                     uht-hlem ðone,
se þe lengest leofað               (se þe) lengest leofað
láðan cynnes.                      ládan cynnes,
Fǽr-bifongen, ...                  (fǽr)-bí-fongen.
Hunferth spake,
Ecglaf’s son,
who at {the} feet sat
of {the} Scyldings’ lord;
unbound {a} hostile speech.
To him was {the} voyage of Beowulf,
{the} bold sea-farer,
{a} great displeasure;
because he grudged
that any other man
ever more glories
of mid-earth
held under heaven
than himself:
‘Art thou the Beowulf
who with Breca strove
on {the} wide sea,
in {a} swimming strife,
where ye from pride
tempted {the} fords,
and for foolish vaunt
in {the} deep water
ventured {your} lives?
Nor you any man,
nor friend nor foe,
might blame
{for your} sorrowful voyage,
when on {the} sea ye row’d,
when ye {the} ocean-stream,
with {your} arms deck’d,
measur’d {the} sea-ways,
with {your} hands vibrated {them},
glided o’er {the} main;
ocean boil’d with waves,
with winter’s fury:
ye on {the} water’s domain,
{for} seven nights toil’d.
He thee in swimming overcame,
{he} had more strength,
when him at morning tide,
on to Heatho-ræmes
{the} sea bore up;
whence he sought
{his} dear country,
{the} beloved of his people,
{the} Brondings’ land,
{his} fair, peaceful burgh,
where he {a} people own’d,
{a} burgh and rings.
All {his} promise to thee
Beanstan’s son
truly fulfil’d.
interpretation of the poem.
measure. I am unable to agree with them. Probably any short-line
imitation.
_Influence of Thorpe’s Edition._
The influence of this edition has been considerable. It was the
principal authority used by Grein and Heyne in constructing their
almost word for word.
_Grein’s Preparation for Scholarly Work._
In 1855 he assumed the position of Praktikant at the Kassel
Landesbibliothek. Here he was able to devote a large part of his
The text of _Beowulf_ is found in Grein’s _Bibliothek der
_be fire, fyrena hyrde_,
following Thorpe. As has been pointed out, this is an impossible
‘Bei der Behandlung des Textes galt als erste Pflicht,
handschriftliche Lesarten, wo es nur immer möglich war, zu retten
Wörter als wolbegründet nachzuweisen: nur da, wo Verderbniss auf
aufgenommen, wobei ich mich möglichst eng an das handschriftlich
gebotene anzuschliessen suchte.’ --Vorwort, iv. (_Bibl._).
This was wise. Since the days of Kemble, emendation had become
‘Die Sammlung von metrischen Uebersetzungen angelsächsischer
Dichtungen, deren erster Band hiermit der Oeffentlichkeit
übergeben wird, soll einen doppelten Zweck erfüllen. Einerseits
betrachte ich dieselben als eine wesentliche Ergänzung, gleichsam
Verlag erscheinenden Textausgabe der angelsächsischen Dichter,
indem sie meine Interpretation der Originaltexte, worin ich oft
von meinen Vorgängern abweiche, einfach vor Augen legen.
Andrerseits aber bezweckte ich dadurch die Bekanntschaft mit den
in vieler Beziehung so herrlichen dichterischen Erzeugnissen des
uns engverwandten englischen Volkes aus der Zeit vor dem
gewaltsamen Eindringen des romanischen Elements durch die
normannische Eroberung auch in weiteren Kreisen anzubahnen, was
sie sowol nach ihrem Inhalte als auch nach der poetischen
Behandlung des Stoffes gewiss in hohem Grade verdienen. Daher war
namentlich suchte ich, soweit es immer bei dem heutigen Stande
unserer Sprache thunlich war, auch den Rhythmus des Originals
nachzubilden, wobei es vor allem auf die Beibehaltung der
eigentümlichen Stellung der Stabreime ankam, ein Punkt, der bei
der Uebertragung alter Alliterationspoesien nur zu oft
vernachlässigt wird.’ --Vorrede, iii.
_Differences between the two Editions._
Darauf sprach Hunferd, Ecglafs Sohn,
der zu den Füssen sass dem Fürst der Skildinge,
entband Streitrunen, (ihm war Beowulfs Reise
des mutigen Seefahrers sehr zum Aerger,
da er durchaus nicht gönnte, dass ein anderer Mann
je mehr des Ruhmes in dem Mittelkreise
besässe unterm Himmel, denn er selber hatte):
‘Bist du der Beowulf, der einst mit Breka schwamm
im Wettkampfe durch die weite See,
wo in Verwegenheit ihr die Gewässer prüftet
und aus tollem Prahlen in die tiefen Fluten
wagtet euer Leben? Nicht wehren konnt’ euch beiden
weder Lieb noch Leid der Leute einer
die sorgenvolle Fahrt, als in den Sund ihr rudertet,
wo ihr den Oceansstrom mit euren Armen decktet,
die Holmstrassen masset, mit den Händen schluget
und über den Ocean glittet: der Eisgang des Winters
wallete in Wogen; in des Wassers Gebiet
plagtet ihr euch sieben Nächte.
Im Schwimmspiel überwand er dich:
er hatte mehr der Macht; zur Morgenzeit
trug ihn der Holm da zu den Headorämen.
Von dannen suchte er die süsse Heimat
lieb seinen Leuten, das Land der Brondinge,
die liebliche Friedeburg, wo er sein Volk hatte,
Burg und Bauge. Da hatte all sein Erbot wider dich
vollbracht in Wahrheit Beanstans Sohn.’
_Bibliothek_, Band III, 2te Hälfte, p. vii.]
save the omission of the comma in line 501.]
_Nibelungenlied_, a work which, in 1892, had passed into its
Simrock wished to do for _Beowulf_ what he had done for the
‘Geist und Stimmung einer fernen Heldenzeit anklingen zu lassen,
und doch dem Ausdruck die frische Farbe des Lebens zu verleihen.’
‘Vor Allem aber den Wohllaut, der echter Poesie unzertrennlich
von Blatt zu Blatt getragen werde. Nur so glaubte ich eine
_Relation of Translation and other Parts of the Book._
Da begann Hunferd,    Ecglafs Sohn,
Der zu Füssen sass    dem Fürsten der Schildinge,
Kampfrunen zu entbinden:    ihm war Beowulfs Kunft,
Des kühnen Seeseglers,    schrecklich zuwider.
Allzu ungern sah er,    dass ein anderer Mann
In diesem Mittelkreiss    mehr des Ruhmes
Unterm Himmel hätte    als Hunferd selbst:
‘Bist du der Beowulf,    der mit _Breka_ schwamm
Im Wettkampf einst    durch die weite See?
Wo ihr tollkühn    Untiefen prüftet,
Mit vermessnem Muth    in den Meeresschlünden
Das Leben wagtet?    Vergebens wehrten euch
Die Lieben und Leiden,    die Leute zumal
So sorgvolle Reise,    als ihr zum Sunde rudertet,
Das angstreiche Weltmeer    mit Armen decktet,
Die Meerstrassen masset,    mit den Händen schlugt
Durch die Brandung gleitend;    aufbrauste die Tiefe
Wider des Winters Wuth.    Im Wasser mühtet ihr
Euch sieben Nächte:    da besiegt’ er dich im Schwimmen.
Seiner Macht war mehr:    in des Morgens Frühe
Von dannen sucht’ er    die süsse Heimat,
Die feste Friedensburg,    wo er Volk besass,
Burg und Bauge.    Sein Erbieten hatte dir
Da _Beanstans_ Geborner    vollbracht und geleistet.’
Simrock’s translation is commendable for its faithfulness. It is,
reprinted.
_Aim of Heyne’s Translation._
‘Es ist nicht die erste, die ich biete; gleichwol hoffe ich es
werde die erste sein, die auch einem grössern Publicum, das noch
nicht Gelegenheit hatte, sich mit den ältern Dialecten unserer
Sprache zu beschäftigen, verständlich ist. Die ältern deutschen
Uebersetzer haben, bei allen Verdiensten ihrer Arbeit, unserer
neuhochdeutschen Muttersprache teilweise übel mitgespielt.’
‘Die vorliegende Uebertragung ist so frei, dass sie das für uns
ängstlich anschmiegt; dagegen auch wieder so genau, dass sie
hoffentlich ein Scherflein zum vollkommenern Verständniss des
Textes beitragen wird.’ --Vorwort, iii.
Hē bēot ne āleh, l. 80 (he belied not his promise)
Was er gelobt, erfüllt er.
Da sagte Hunferd, Ecglafs Sohn, der Hrodgar
zu Füssen sass, dem Herrn der Schildinge,
des Streites Siegel löste er (denn sehr
war Beowulfes Ankunft ihm verhasst,
des kühnen Meerbefahrers; er vergönnte
es Niemand, mehr des Ruhmes als er selber
sich unterm Himmel jemals zu erwerben):
‘Bist du der Beowulf, der einst mit Breca
sich auf der weiten See im Schwimmkampf mass,
als ihr euch kühnlich in die Tiefen stürztet,
und mit verwegnem Brüsten euer Leben
im tiefen Wasser wagtet? Niemand konnte,
nicht Freund, nicht Feind, des mühevollen Weges
euch hindern. Da schwammt ihr hinaus in See,
wo ihr die wilde Flut mit Armen decktet,
des Wassers Strassen masset und die Hände
die Wogen werfen liesst; so glittet ihr
hin übers Meer. Die winterlichen Wellen,
sie giengen hoch. Der Tage sieben mühtet
ihr euch im Wasser: jener überwand dich
im Schwimmen, denn er hatte grössre Kraft.
Da trug die Hochflut ihn zur Morgenzeit
der seinem Volke liebe, seinen Erbsitz
im Land der Brandinge, die schöne Burg
erreichte. Dort besass er Land und Leute
und Schätze. Was er gegen dich gelobt,
das hatte Beanstans Sohn fürwahr erfüllt.’
respectively--
_entband beadurunen_
_entband Streitrunen_
_Kampfrunen ... entbinden._
translation, it is undoubtedly the most enjoyable of the German
versions.
Beovulf (Bärwelf). Das älteste deutsche Heldengedicht. Aus dem
Volume 430 of Reclam’s Universal-Bibliothek. Small 8vo, pp. 104.
Hans von Wolzogen (born 1848), popularly known as a writer on the
‘... diese angelsächsische Form selbst nur eine Uebertragungsform
gemacht worden war.’ --Vorbemerkung, p. 5.
_So sagte Hunfrid_, der Sohn des _Eckleif_,
Dem Schildingenfürsten zu Füssen gesessen,
Kampfrunen entbindend (es kränkte des _Bärwelf_
_Muthige Meerfahrt_ mächtig den Stolzen,
Der an Ehren nicht mehr einem andern Manne
Zu gönnen gemeint war im Garten der Mitte,
Als wie unter’m Himmel erworben er selbst!):
‘Bist du der _Bärwelf_, der mit _Brecht_ bekämpfte
Auf weiter See im Wetteschwimmen,
Da übermüthig und ehrbegierig
Eu’r Leben ihr wagtet in Wassertiefen,
_Die beid’ ihr durchschwammt?_ Da brachte zum Schwanken
Den Vorsatz der furchtbaren Fahrt euch Keiner
_Mit Bitten und Warnen_, _und_ Beide durchtheiltet
Mit gebreiteten Armen die Brandung ihr rudernd,
Durchmasset das Meer mit _meisternden_ Händen
Auf wogenden Wegen, während der Wirbelsturm
Rast’ in den Well’n, und _ihr rangt mit_ dem Wasser
Durch sieben Nächte. Der Sieger im Neidspiel
Zeigte sich mächt’ger; zur Zeit des Morgens
Riss zu den Haduraumen die Flut ihn;
ins eigene Erbe enteilt’ er von dort,
Zum Lande der Brandinge, lieb seinen _Mannen_,
Zur bergenden Burg. Da gebot er dem Volke
_Schlossreich und schatzreich_. Wie geschworen, so hielt
Sein Versprechen dir redlich der Sprössling des _Bonstein_.’
hypotactically. Had the translator been making a paraphrase,
_Ic him þēnode
deoran sweorde   swā hit gedēfe wæs._
which is translated,
dawider doch diente
Mein treffliches Schwert, das treu mir beistand. (p. 27.)
A similar misapprehension is seen in line 15 of the extract,
which we are asked to accept as a translation for
(which are von Wolzogen’s), indicate inaccurate renderings.]
Professor Garnett has noted that Arnold’s text was taken from
Hunferth spake, the son of Ecglaf, who sat at the feet of the
master of the Scyldings; he unbound the secret counsel of his
man on the earth should ever appropriate more deeds of fame under
emulation explored the waves, and for foolish boasting ventured
your lives in the deep water. Nor could any man, either friend or
ocean-stream, measured the sea-ways, churned up [the water] with
your hands, glided over the deep; the sea was tossing with waves,
realm; he overcame thee in the match, he had more strength. Then,
Heathoreamas; thence he, dear in the sight of his people, sought
his loved native soil, the land of the Brondings, the fair safe
In his critical work the author is chiefly indebted to Grein and
‘Je crois devoir me disculper, en présentant cette première
traduction française de Beowulf, du double reproche qui pourrait
m’être adressé d’avoir supprimé des passages du poëme et de n’en
avoir pas suffisamment respecté la lettre. D’abord je dois dire
que les passages que j’ai supprimés (il y en a fort peu) sont ou
très obscurs ou d’une superfluité choquante. Ensuite, il m’a
semblé qu’en donnant une certaine liberté à ma traduction et en
évitant autant que possible d’y mettre les redites et les
lecture de détails le plus souvent bizarres et inintelligibles?
N’est-il pas plus logique d’en finir de suite avec des artifices
poétiques inconnus à nos littératures modernes, plutôt que de
vouloir s’escrimer en vain à les reproduire en français? Et alors
pourrait-on se flatter en fin de compte d’avoir conservé au poëme
‘Il ne faut pas oublier que, la langue française différant
complètement par ses racines de l’anglo-saxon, il ne m’a pas été
permis d’éluder les difficultés de l’original comme on a pu le
faire parfois en anglais et en allemand.’ --Note, p. 4.
For example, the original has:--
Þǣr æt hȳðe stōd hringed-stefna
which Botkine renders:--
Dans la porte se trouvait une barque bien équipée. (p. 29.)
interpretations of Grein, Grundtvig, Ettmüller, Thorpe, and
Kemble. He appears to follow, in general, the text of Heyne, not,
Hunferth, fils d’Ecglaf, qui était assis aux pieds du prince des
Scyldingas, parla ainsi (l’expédition de Beowulf le
remplissait de chagrin, parce qu’il ne voulait pas convenir
qu’aucun homme eût plus de gloire que lui-même):
et que vous avez follement hasardé votre vie dans l’eau profonde?
d’entreprendre ce triste voyage.--Vous avez nagé alors sur la
mer, vous avez suivi les sentiers de l’océan. L’hiver agitait
les vagues. Vous êtes restés en détresse pendant sept nuits
sous la puissance des flots, mais il t’a vaincu dans la joûte
parce qu’il avait plus de force que toi. Le matin, le flot le
porta sur Heatho-ræmas et il alla visiter sa chère patrie le
pays des Brondingas, où il possédait le peuple, une ville et des
trésors. Le fils de Beanstan accomplit entièrement la promesse
qu’il t’avait faite.’
þā git on sund rēon;
þǣr git ēagor-strēam    earmum þehton,
mǣton mere-strǣta, mundum brugdon,
glidon ofer gār-secg.
Folcwaldan sunu
dōgra gehwylce Dene weorþode,
Hengestes hēap hringum wenede,
efne swā swīðe sinc-gestrēonum
fǣttan goldes, swā hē Frēsena cyn
on bēor-sele byldan wolde.
The idea is misinterpreted in Botkine’s--
Again, at line 1117 it is said of the lady--
earme on eaxle    ides gnornode,
‘Elle poussait des lamentations en s’appuyant sur le bras de son
Beowulf, an Old English Poem, translated into Modern Rhymes, by
Beowulf, an Old English Poem, translated into Modern Rhymes, by
In the first edition of the translation a number of passages were
No attempt is made to preserve alliteration or archaic diction.
Hunferd the son of Ecglaf spoke--at Hrothgar’s feet sat he--
And thus let loose his secret grudge;
(for much did him displease
The coming of Beowulf now--bold sailor o’er the seas.
To none on earth would he allow a greater fame ’mong men
Beneath the heavens than his): ‘Art thou the same Beowulf then,
Who swam a match with Breca once upon the waters wide,
When ye vainglorious searched the waves,
and risked your lives for pride
Upon the deep? Nor hinder you could any friend or foe
From that sad venture. Then ye twain did on the waters row;
Ye stretched your arms upon the flood;
the sea-ways ye did mete;
O’er billows glided--with your hands them tossed--though
fiercely beat
The rolling tides and wintry waves! Seven nights long toilèd ye
In waters’ might; but Breca won--he stronger was than thee!
And to the Hathoræms at morn washed shoreward by the flood,
Thence his loved native land he sought--the Brondings’
country good,
And stronghold fair, where he was lord of folk and burg
and rings.
Right well ’gainst thee his vaunt he kept.
The extract illustrates the paraphrastic nature of parts of the
The mail that bite of sword
To comrades far.
The Old English from which this passage is taken reads:--
ge swylce sēo here-pād,  sīo æt hilde gebād
ofer borda gebræc    bite īrena,
brosnað æfter beorne;    ne mæg byrnan hring
æfter wīg-fruman    wīde fēran
hæleðum be healfe.
The passage is certainly obscure, and the readings are not all
They mourned their king and chanted dirge,
and much of him they said;
His worthiness they praised,
and judged his deeds with tender dread.
_Macmillan’s Magazine_, 55: 371, has been generally admired.]
_Differences between the Editions._
‘I have revised certain passages with a view to greater accuracy,
necessitated the re-writing of the whole translation.’ --Preface
to the second edition.
As has been pointed out above in the sections on Arnold and
The translation is based on Grein’s text of 1867. Notes are added
‘This involves naturally much inversion and occasional obscurity,
reader a better idea of the poem than a mere prose translation
would do, in addition to the advantage of literalness. While it
would have been easy, by means of periphrasis and freer
translation, to mend some of the defects chargeable to the
first edition.
_Nature of the Verse-form._
‘In respect to the rhythmical form, I have endeavored to preserve
unaccented ones, which licence can also be found in Early English
be offended by the ruggedness of the rhythm, it is hoped that the
reproducing, even approximately, the rhythm of the original. The
reproduction of the sense as closely as possible had to be kept
Hunferth’s taunt. The swimming-match with Breca. Joy in Heorot.
Who at the feet sat of the lord of the Scyldings,
Unloosed his war-secret (was the coming of Beowulf,
The proud sea-farer, to him mickle grief,
For that he granted not that any man else
Ever more honor of this mid-earth
Should gain under heavens than he himself):
‘Art thou that Beowulf who strove with Breca
On the broad sea in swimming-match,
When ye two for pride the billows tried
And for vain boasting in the deep water
Riskéd your lives. You two no man,
Nor friend nor foe, might then dissuade
From sorrowful venture, when ye on the sea swam,
When ye the sea-waves with your arms covered,
Measured the sea-ways, struck with your hands,
Glided o’er ocean; with its great billows
Welled up winter’s flood. In the power of the waters
Ye seven nights strove: he in swimming thee conquered,
He had greater might. Then him in the morning
On the Heathoremes’ land the ocean bore up,
Whence he did seek his pleasant home,
Dear to his people, the land of the Brondings
His fair strong city, where he had people,
A city and rings. All his boast against thee
The son of Beanstan truly fulfilled.’
_æf-þunca_, a unique word which suggests at once vexation,
Struggles of battle when warriors contended,
a translation of--
Gūða ... þonne hnitan fēðan
they to wood went
hȳ on holt bugon,
which, whatever be the meaning of ‘bugon,’ is surely a misleading
The nature of the verse has been sufficiently illustrated by the
_Reception of Garnett’s Translation._
interpreting the poem.
_Author’s Preliminary Remarks._
‘Il poema consiste di 3183 versi fra cui alcuni in frammenti che
noi abbiamo cercato di completare senza alterare lettera del
testo. Una mano recente lo ha diviso in 43 canti, detti in ags.
fitte; ne notiamo il numero anche nella versione. I versi che il
Müllenhoff reputa interpolati, sono disposti in linee rientranti;
mantenervi anche la sintassi, e sì che nessuna parola d’un verso
prenda posto in un’ altra riga. Le parentesi quadre [ ] segnano
The Notes are rather full. They are sometimes merely explanatory;
emendations, of history, myth, &c.
Hunferd disse, il nato di Eclaf,
che a’ piedi sedea del prence de’ Schildinghi,
sbrigliò accenti di contesta--eragli la gita di Beóvulf,
del coraggioso navigatore, molto a fastidio,
perchè non amava, che un altro uomo
vieppiù di gloria nell’ orbe di mezzo
avesse sotto il cielo che lui stesso--:
‘Sei tu quel Beóvulf, che con Breca nuotò
nel vasto pelago per gara marina,
quando voi per baldanza l’acque provaste,
e per pazzo vanto nel profondo sale
la vita arrischiaste? nè voi uomo alcuno,
nè caro nè discaro, distorre potè
dalla penosa andata, quando remigaste nell’ alto,
la corrente dell’ oceano colle braccia coprendo
misuraste le strade del mare, colle mani batteste,
e scivolaste sopra l’astato. Nelle onde del ghebbo
vagavano i cavalloni d’inverno:
voi nel tenere dell’ acqua
sette notti appenàstevi. Egli nel nuoto ti superò,
ebbe più forza. E al tempo mattutino lo
portò suso il flutto verso la marittima Ramia
donde ei cercò la dolce patria,
cara a sue genti, la terra dei Brondinghi,
il vago castel tranquillo, ov’ egli popolo avea,
rocche e gioie. Il vanto intero contro te
il figlio di Beanstan in verità mantenne.’
The present writer cannot attempt a literary criticism of the
translation.
In purpose and method this version may be compared with that of
Kemble and of Schaldemose. In each case the translator was
in his _Grundriss_, § 209, I can ascertain nothing.]
Beowulf, en fornengelsk hjeltedikt, öfversatt af Rudolf Wickberg.
The translator begins his introduction with a discussion of the
‘This important historical interest may then explain the reason
‘In the translation I have endeavored to make the language
readable and modern. A translation out of an ancient tongue ought
expressions. Since the poet wrote in the language of his day, the
tried to follow the original faithfully, but not slavishly. For
the sake of clearness the half-lines have often been
transposed.... The rhythm is still more irregular than the Old
English. Alliteration has generally been avoided.’ --Inledning,
Ecglafs son Hunferð talade;
Vid Scyldingafurstens fötter satt han,
Löste stridsrunan--den modige sjöfaranden
Beovulfs resa förtröt honom mycket,
Förty han unnade ej, att någon annan man
Under himlen skulle någonsin vinna
Större ära på jorden än han sjelf--:
‘Är du den Beovulf, som mätte sig med Breca
I kappsimning öfver det vida hafvet,
Der I öfvermodigt pröfvaden vågorna
Och för djerft skryt vågaden lifvet
I det djupa vattnet? Ej kunde någon man,
Ljuf eller led, förmå eder att afstå
Från den sorgfulla färden. Sedan summen I i hafvet,
Der I med armarna famnaden hafsströmmen,
Mätten hafsvågorna, svängden händerna,
Gleden öfver hafsytan; vintersvallet
Sjöd i vågorna. I sträfvaden sju nätter
I hafvets våld; han öfvervann dig i simning,
Hade större styrka. Sedan vid morgontiden
Bar hafvet upp honom till de krigiska rämerna.
Derifrån uppsökte han, dyr för de sina,
Sitt kära odal i brondingarnes land,
Berg och ringar. Hela sitt vad med dig
Fullgjorde noga Beanstans son.’
Sixteen years had elapsed since the publication of a scholarly
Kluge, and Bugge had been published, containing masterly
Nothing is said in the introduction respecting the aim of the
‘This translation was originally made from the Fourth Edition of
Moritz Heyne’s text. His Fifth Edition came out in 1888, and I
think I have used it enough to become acquainted with all the
changes that Dr. Adolf Socin, the new editor, has introduced.
But the translator does not depend slavishly upon his text. He
_Unferth the king’s orator is jealous. He baits the young
adventurer, and in a scoffing speech dares him to a night-watch
Unferth made a speech, Ecglaf’s son; he who sate at the feet of
the Scyldings’ lord, broached a quarrelsome theme--the adventure
of Beowulf the high-souled voyager was great despite to him,
because he grudged that any other man should ever in the world
achieve more exploits under heaven than he himself:-- ‘Art thou
_that_ Beowulf, he who strove with Breca on open sea in
adventure! What time ye twain plied in swimming, where ye twain
covered with your arms the awful stream, meted the sea-streets,
buffeted with hands, shot over ocean; the deep boiled with waves,
whence he made for his own patrimony, dear to his Leeds he made
for the land of the Brondings, a fair stronghold, where he was
lord of folk, of city, and of rings. All his boast to thee-ward,
Beanstan’s son soothly fulfilled. Wherefore I anticipate for thee
As a whole, the translation may fairly be called faithful. The
_Ic þis gid be þē āwraec_
It is about thee ... that I have told this tale,
_Hrothgar, helm Scyldinga,_
Hrothgar, crown of Scyldings.
‘The work is addressed to two classes of readers.... The
Anglo-Saxon scholar he [the translator] hopes to please by
adhering faithfully to the original. The student of English
literature he aims to interest by giving him, in modern garb, the
The translation is in imitative measures and in archaic style.
‘The effort has been made to give a decided flavor of archaism to
standard modern poetry....
‘The measure used in the present translation is believed to be as
much thesis and anacrusis is allowed as is consistent with a
‘What Gummere calls the “rime-giver” has been studiously kept;
viz., the first accented syllable in the second half-verse always
alliterates only sporadically....
‘No two accented syllables have been brought together, except
occasionally after a cæsural pause.... Or, scientifically
speaking, Sievers’s C type has been avoided as not consonant with
‘The Heyne-Socin text and glossary have been closely followed.
Occasionally a deviation has been made.... Once in a while ...
(the translator) has added a conjecture of his own to the
emendations quoted from the criticisms of other students of the
and undertakes to twit him.]
Unferth spoke up, Ecglaf his son,
Who sat at the feet of the lord of the Scyldings,
Opened the jousting (the journey of Beowulf,
Sea-farer doughty, gave sorrow to Unferth
And greatest chagrin, too, for granted he never
That any man else on earth should attain to,
Gain under heaven, more glory than he):
your lives on the ocean.]
‘Art thou that Beowulf with Breca did struggle,
On the wide sea-currents at swimming contended,
Where to humor your pride the ocean ye tried,
From vainest vaunting adventured your bodies
In care of the waters? And no one was able
Nor lief nor loth one, in the least to dissuade you
Your difficult voyage; then ye ventured a-swimming,
Where your arms outstretching the streams ye did cover,
The mere-ways measured, mixing and stirring them,
Glided the ocean; angry the waves were,
With the weltering of winter. In the water’s possession,
Ye toiled for a seven-night; he at swimming outdid thee,
In strength excelled thee. Then early at morning
On the Heathoremes’ shore the holm-currents tossed him,
Sought he thenceward the home of his fathers,
Beloved of his liegemen, the land of the Brondings,
The peace-castle pleasant, where a people he wielded
The son of Beanstan hath soothly accomplished.
outdo you, if you vie with him in prowess.]
Then I ween thou wilt find thee less fortunate issue,
Though ever triumphant in onset of battle,
A grim grappling, if Grendel thou darest
For the space of a night near-by to wait for!
for _norþan-wind heaðo-grim ondhwearf_.
for _ðū þīnum brōðrum tō banan wurde_.
The atheling of Geatmen uttered these words and
Heroic did hasten. --Page 51, line 19.
In war ’neath the water the work with great pains I
Gave me willingly to see on the wall a
Heavy old hand-sword. --Page 57, line 11.
The man was so dear that he failed to suppress the
Emotions that moved him. --Page 64, line 59.
The translation is founded on Grein’s text of 1867.
original with Hoffmann.
Da hub der Sohn der Ecglaf, Hunferd, zu reden an;
Er sass dem Herrn der Schildinge zu Füssen, und begann
Kampfworte zu entbieten. Dass her Beowulf kam,
Der kühne Meerdurchsegler, schuf seinem Herzen bitter’n Gram.
Dass unter dem Himmel habe ein andrer Recke mehr,
Denn er, des Ruhms auf Erden, war ihm zu tragen schwer:
‘Bist {der} Beówulf Du, der einst sich in der weiten Flut
Mit Breca mass im Schwimmen? Zu hoch vermass sich da Dein Mut!
‘Ihr spranget in die Wellen, vermessen wagtet ihr
Die Fahrt, die schreckensvolle,
nicht Freund noch Feind verleiden
Euch konnte. Also triebet im Sund dahin ihr Beiden!
‘Als ihr mit Euren Armen des Meeres Breite decktet,
Die Meeresstrassen masset, die Hände rudernd recktet
Durch Brandungswirbel gleitend, vom Wintersturm getrieben
Hoch auf die Wellen schäumten;
ihr mühtet Euch der Nächte sieben!
‘So rangt ihr mit den Wogen! Da wurde Dir entrafft
Der Sieg von ihm, im Schwimmen, sein war die gröss’re Kraft,
Ihn trug der Hochflut Wallen am Morgen an den Strand
Der Hadurämen, bald er von da die süsse Heimat wiederfand.
‘Im Lande der Brondinge wie gerne man ihn sah!
Zu seiner schönen Feste kam er wieder da,
Wo er zu eigen hatte Mannen, Burg und Ringe,
Der Sohn Beanstan’s hatte geleistet sein Erbot Dir allerdinge!’
‘Die Uebersetzungen von Grein, Holder und Möller sind mir nicht
zugänglich gewesen, auch wie es scheint, nicht sehr bekannt.’
Examples of antiquated renderings may be brought forward:--
P. 1, line 1, Wie grosse Ruhmesthaten.
auf die Wellen schäumten.
Ueber Burg und Mannen nun herrschte manches Jahr
Beówulf der Schilding. Wie hold dem König war
Sein Volk! in allen Landen seinen Ruhm man pries
Als lange schon sein Vater von dieser Erde Leben liess.
The translation resembles the work of Lumsden and Wackerbarth in
Gesagt! gethan!
translates
ond þæt geæfndon swā (line 538).
_Differences between the First and Second Editions._
_Part Taken in the Work by Morris and Wyatt respectively._
‘(Morris) was not an Anglo-Saxon scholar, and to help him in
following the original, he used the aid of a prose translation
made for him by Mr. A. J. Wyatt, of Christ’s College, Cambridge,
began to supply Morris with his prose paraphrase in February,
regularly on Sunday mornings in summer.’
‘Mr. William Morris has taken the text of this edition as the
basis of his modern metrical rendering of the lay.’ --Page xiii.
_Morris’s Theory of Translation._
Spake out then Unferth that bairn was of Ecglaf,
And he sat at the feet of the lord of the Scyldings,
He unbound the battle-rune; was Beowulf’s faring,
Of him the proud mere-farer, mickle unliking,
Whereas he begrudg’d it of any man other
That he glories more mighty the middle-garth over
Should hold under heaven than he himself held:
Art thou that Beowulf who won strife with Breca
On the wide sea contending in swimming,
When ye two for pride’s sake search’d out the floods
And for a dolt’s cry into deep water
Thrust both your life-days? No man the twain of you,
Lief or loth were he, might lay wyte to stay you
Your sorrowful journey, when on the sea row’d ye;
Then when the ocean-stream ye with your arms deck’d,
Meted the mere-streets, there your hands brandish’d!
O’er the Spearman ye glided; the sea with waves welter’d,
The surge of the winter. Ye twain in the waves’ might
For a seven nights swink’d. He outdid thee in swimming,
And the more was his might; but him in the morn-tide
To the Heatho-Remes’ land the holm bore ashore,
And thence away sought he to his dear land and lovely,
The lief to his people sought the land of the Brondings,
The fair burg peace-warding, where he the folk owned,
The burg and the gold rings. What to theeward he boasted,
Beanstan’s son, for thee soothly he brought it about.
Secondly, the translation is unreadable. There is an avalanche of
‘Then rathe was beroom’d, as the rich one was bidding,
For the guests a-foot going the floor all withinward.’
Morris himself was conscious of the obscurity of the work:--
‘For the language of his version Morris once felt it necessary to
his own. He did not add, however, that their effect, if slipped
sparingly in amid his own pellucid construction and facile
narrative method, would be very different from their habitual use
this himself, and his pleasure in the doing of it fell off.’
occasionally as obscure as the poem itself.
If one can peer through the darkness of Morris’s diction, he will
Published for the Koninklijke Vlaamsche Academie voor Taal- en
‘I have followed the text of Socin; where I have preferred to
give another reading I have justified my proceeding in the Notes
at the end of the work.’ --Een Woord Vooraf.
It is a literal translation in iambic pentameter.
‘Moreover, the iambic pentameter lends itself well to division
into hemistichs, the principal characteristic of the ancient epic
En Hunferd zeide toen, de zoon van Ecglaf,
Die aan die voeten zat des Schyldingvorsten,
Het kampgeheim ontkeetnend: (Beowulfs aankomst,
Des koenen golfvaart gaf hem grooten aanstoot,
Omdat hij geenszins aan een ander gunde
Der mannen, meerder roem op aard te rapen,
Beneên de wolken, dan hem was geworden.)
‘Zijt gij die Beowulf, die met Brecca aanbond
Den wedstrijd op de wijde zee, in ’t zwemmen
Met dezen streven dorst, toen boud gij beiden
Navorschtet in den vloed en gij uit grootspraak
Uw leven waagdet in het diepe water?
Geen stervling was in staat, noch vriend noch vijand,
De roekelooze reis u af te raden.
Toen braakt gij beiden roeiend door de baren
En dektet onder uwen arm de deining,
Gij maat de zeebahn, zwaaiend met de handen,
Doorgleedt de waterwieling, schoon met golven
De kil opklotste bij des winters branding.
Op deze wijze wurmdet gij te gader
Wel zeven nachten in ’t bezit der zeeën.
Doch gene ging in vaart u ver te boven;
Hij had toch meerder macht. De strooming stuwde
Hem met den morgen heen ten Headoraemen,
Van waar hij wedervond, de volksgevierde,
Het lieve stambezit, het land der Brondings,
De schoone schatburg, waar hij wapenlieden
En goed en goud bezat. De zoon van Beanstan
Hield tegen u geheel zijn woord in waarheid.’
common form of alliteration in Old English, whereas it is rather
uncommon.]
Altenglische Dichtungen (Beowulf, Elene, u.a.) in wortgetreuer
Uebersetzung von H. Steineck. Leipzig, 1898, O. R. Reisland. 8vo,
Seventh German Translation. Line for line.
‘Die vorliegende Uebersetzung ist aus dem Bedürfnis einer
altenglische Wort das etymologisch entsprechende neuhochdeutsche,
The translation is based on Heyne’s text of 1863 (Vorwort).
Fragmentary passages are not restored.
Hunferd sprach, des Ecglâf Sohn,
Welcher zu Füssen sass des Herren der Scyldinge;
Er löste der Streiter Geheimniss--ihm war Beowulfs Fahrt,
Des mutigen Meerfahrers, zu grossem Neid,
Weil er nicht gönnte, dass irgend ein anderer
Jemals nun mehr Ruhmesthaten
Unter dem Himmel der Erde erwarb als er selbst:
‘Bist du Bêowulf, der du mit Breca kämpftest
Auf weiter See in einem Wettschwimmen,
Dort durchforschtet ihr beide aus Stolz die Fluten
Und wagtet aus verwegener Ruhmsucht im tiefen Wasser
Euer Leben? Euch beiden konnte keiner,
Weder Freund noch Feind, vorwerfen
Die gefahrvolle Reise; da rudertet ihr beide im Wasser,
Dort überdecktet ihr beide den Wasserstrom mit Armen,
Ihr masst die Meeresstrassen, mit Händen schwangt ihr,
Ihr glittet über die Flut; das Meer wallte in Fluten,
Des Winters Gewoge; ihr mühtet euch in des Wassers Gewalt
Sieben Nächte ab; er besiegte dich beim Schwimmen,
Er hatte grössere Kraft. Da warf ihn in der Morgenzeit
Von dort aus suchte er das traute Stammgut auf,
Der seinen Leuten Teure, das Land der Brondinge,
Die schöne Friedensburg, wo er Volk besass,
Burg und Ringe. Alles, wozu er sich dir verpflichtete,
Leistete der Sohn Bêanstâns wahrhaftig.’
Finally, it may be asked why a translation that appeals only as a
Unlike the preceding works on _Beowulf_, it may be said that the
‘The following pages comprise a short statement of what is
actually known with respect to the poem of _Beowulf_, another
statement of what seems to me most likely to be true amongst the
almost innumerable matters of conjecture concerning it, and a few
The rendering avoids archaisms.
(499-505). _Now comes a jarring note. Unferth, a Danish courtier,
Then Unferth, the son of Ecglaf, who sat at the feet of the lord
of the Scyldings, spoke, and gave vent to secret thoughts of
strife,--the journey of Beowulf, the brave sea-farer, was a great
should ever obtain more glory on this middle-earth than he
himself.
for seven days, and got beaten? A worse fate is in store for thee
‘Art thou that Beowulf who strove with Breca, contested with him
on the open sea, in a swimming contest, when ye two for vainglory
flowing stream with your arms, meted out the sea-paths, battled
with your hands, and glided over the ocean; when the sea, the
winter’s flood, surged with waves. Ye two toiled in the water’s
realm seven nights; he overcame you at swimming, he had the
greater strength. Then, at morning time, the ocean cast him up on
beloved fatherland, the land of the Brondings, his fair
stronghold-city, where he had subjects and treasures and a
borough. The son of Beanstan performed faithfully all that he had
disfigured the translations of _Beowulf_:--
Line 2507, ‘my unfriendly hug finished his bony frame.’
„   2583, ‘The Geat’s free-handed friend crowed not in pride
of victory.’
„   2655, ‘Fell the foe and shield the Weder-Geat Lord’s life.’
„   2688, ‘the public scourge, the dreadful salamander.’
„   2834, ‘show his form’ (said of the Dragon).
„   2885, ‘hopelessly escheated from your breed.’
It should be added that the explanatory comment which constantly
But this absence of ease and dignity does not hinder Dr. Hall’s
‘The present translation of _Beowulf_ is an attempt to make as
simple and readable a version of the poem as is consistent with
because it has been thought that vigor and variety are not
incompatible with simple, idiomatic English....
The principal ways in which the present version differs from a
merely literal translation are the following: (1) in a rather
broad interpretation of pregnant words and phrases; (2) in a
conception of some of the Old English compounds as conventional
of a proper name for an ambiguous pronoun.
The translation is based on the text of A. J. Wyatt (Cambridge,
VIII and IX.
Hrothgar commends Heorot to the care of Beowulf._
other man under heaven should ever win more glories in this world
Breca on the broad sea and didst contend with him in swimming,
when ye two, foolhardy, made trial of the waves and for a mad
boast risked your lives in the deep water? None, friend or foe,
could turn you from the sorry venture when ye two swam out upon
the sea. But ye enfolded the ocean-streams with your arms,
measured the sea-streets, buffeted the water with your hands,
gliding over the deep. The ocean was tossing with waves,
dear fatherland, the country of the Brondings, and his own fair
city where he was lord of a stronghold, and of subjects and
treasure. Verily, the son of Beanstan made good all his boast
for thee, if thou darest for the space of one night abide near
Selections Translated into German Prose.
condense leads the translator to omit lines that he does not deem
The text from which he translates is Kemble’s.
Hûnferð Ecglâfs sohn, der zu des scildingenfürsten füssen sasz,
achten morgen stig er auf Heáðorämes ansz land und gieng heim zu
den Brondingen, wo er eine burg und edlesz gefolge und reichtum
hatte? Bëánstânes sohn hat dir allesz geleistet, wasz er gewettet
Line 502, mōdges mere-faran.
„   520, swǣsne ēðel, lēof his lēodum.
Extracts Translated into Latin Prose.
The only significance of this book is that it contained the first
‘The thought that these old romances may be presented to
Englishmen of the present day in a form which shall retain their
real vigour without the repulsive characteristics impressed on
may be affirmed that, if we turn to these old legends or romances
shall reflect chiefly our own thoughts about them and throw over
them a colouring borrowed from the sentiment of the nineteenth
century.
introduction even of phrases not in harmony with the original
narratives, not less pains have been bestowed on the task of
without having their attention and their patience overtaxed by a
multiplicity of superfluous and therefore utterly irksome
details.’ --Preface, pp. vi, vii.
picturesque word of the original, that he sometimes transfers
‘Away to the westward among the people of the Geáts lived a man,
deeds, of Hrothgár’s sorrow, and the sore distress of the Danes,
and having sought out fifteen warriors, he entered into a
new-pitched ship to seek the war-king across the sea. Bird-like
been easy to them; then, sea-wearied, lashed their wide-bosomed
ship to an anchorage, donned their war-weeds, and came to Heorot,
Jahresbericht über die Realschule zu Forbach (Lothringen) für das
The First 836 Lines translated in Iambic Pentameter.
‘Gleichwol wird das Gedicht in deutscher Sprache noch wenig
gelesen; und es mag darum gerechtfertigt sein, wenn auch ein
Derselbe hat in seiner Uebersetzung, von welcher im Folgenden von
Grendel mit vorausgehender Genealogie der dänischen Könige,
vorgeführt werden, alles vermieden, was dem Laien das Verständnis
historischen und geographischen Erläuterungen können auch denen
willkommen sein, welche sich eingehender mit dem Gedicht
beschäftigen wollen.’ --Einleitung, 4.
The text used is Heyne’s edition of 1873 (see Einleitung, 4).
Doch Hunferd, Ecglafs Sohn, der beim Gelage
Zu Füssen Hrodgars, seines Herren, sass,
War voll Verdruss, der Ruhm des Beowulf
Erregte bittren Neid im Busen ihm.
Er konnte nicht ertragen, wenn beim Volke
Ein andrer mehr gepriesen ward, als er.
Voll Aerger sucht’ er Händel, also sprechend:
‘Du bist gewiss der Beowulf, der einst
Im Meer mit Breca um die Wette schwamm?
Ihr masset damals euch in kühnem Wagen!
Das mühevolle Werk euch auszureden
Vermochte niemand, tollkühn setztet ihr
Das Leben ein und schwammt ins Meer hinaus.
Zerteiltet mit den Armen kraftgemut
Des Meeres Wogen, glittet rasch dahin
In kalter Flut. Ihr mühtet sieben Nächte
Euch ab, und endlich siegte Brecas Stärke,
Er war dir doch voran an Heldenkraft.
Ihn trug die Flut zur Morgenzeit hinauf
Zum Hadorämenstrand. Von dort gelangt’
Er dann zu seiner Burg in Brondingland,
Die, starkbefestigt, funkelndes Geschmied,
Der Spangen und Juwelen viele birgt.
Es jubelte sein Volk dem Herren zu,
Der kühn sein Wort gelöst, nachdem er so
Im Wettkampf glänzend hatte obgesiegt!’
‘unerforschlich sind
Und dunkel oft die Wege des Geschickes.’ --Page 5, l. 54.
importance in any other way.
Men ne cunnon
secgan tō sōðe, sele-rǣdende
hæleð under heofenum, hwā þǣm hlæste onfēng. --Lines 50-52.]
‘I have not translated them (the poems) literally, but have told
their stories faithfully in simple language, with the special
‘I know not their home. It is in a dark lake overshadowed by
trees. Into that lake the stag will not plunge, even although the
But Hunferth, the son of Ecglaf, who sat at the feet of King
‘Tell me, art thou the Beowulf whom Breca overcame in a swimming
match? I heard the tale. You both ventured out like foolish men
among the waves in the days of winter. For seven nights you swam
together, but Breca was the stronger. Thou wilt have a worse
defeat shouldst thou venture to meet Grendel in the darkness of
In comparison with the work of Mr. Jones, it may be said that Mr.
given in the Wägner-MacDowall paraphrase: see infra, p. 130.]
_Beowulf_ Retold, with Changes and Additions.
The minstrel tuned his harp and sang of Beowulf’s heroic deeds,
and prophesied that he would conquer and slay the monster of the
morass. This praise made Hunford, one of the courtiers, angry and
golden chain; that the Gothic hero was undertaking an
enterprise that would very likely lead him to his death; and he
advised him to think twice before attacking Grendel. Upon this,
the hide of the monster and to cut out a slanderous tongue.
to-night, and thou shalt see which of us is the stronger.’
the match.]
Kopfleisten und Schlussstücken nach Federzeichnungen von Johannes
illustrations.
The translation was evidently made with Simrock’s translation in
hand; possibly it may have been made directly from that version.
paraphrase. Often the original word used by Simrock is added in
anderer an Ruhm übertreffe.
abhalten. Da rudertet ihr in den Sund, masset die Meeresstrassen,
warf ihn am nächsten Morgen ans Land, von we er in seine Heimat
eilte, in das Land der _Brondinge_, wo er über Burg und Volk
English Literature from the Beginning to the Norman Conquest. By
Digest, Running Comment, and Translation of Copious Extracts into
_Reasons for including this Book._
_Difference between the two Editions._
Translated extracts accompany the story as told by Mr. Brooke.
‘I chose after many experiments, the trochaic movement used in
this book, each half-line consisting of trochees following one
another, with a syllable at the end, chiefly a long one, to mark
the division of the line. I varied the line as much as I could,
movement, but rarely; for this trochaic line with a beat at the
end of each half-verse seemed to me to get the nearest to the
sound of the Anglo-Saxon line, even though it is frequently
un-similar to that line itself. I used alliteration whenever I
alliterated word, I did not try to do so.’
The text appears to be that of Grein-Wülker (1883).
There at haven stood,    hung with rings the ship,
Ice-bright, for the outpath eager,    craft of Aethelings.
So their lord, the well-beloved,    all at length they laid
In the bosom of the bark,    him the bracelet-giver,--
By the mast the mighty king.    Many gifts were there
Fretted things of fairness    brought from far-off ways.--
Never heard I of a keel    hung more comelily about
With the weeds of war,    with the weapons of the battle,
With the bills and byrnies.    On his breast there lay
A great heap of gems    that should go with him,
Far to fare away    in the Flood’s possession. --Page 26.
The object of her work may be given in her own words:--
‘(The series is) intended as parallel reading to history, and
planned to illustrate history.... Great changes are coming over
specially addressed, but also, as has been felicitously said, to
“the old with young tastes.”’ --Pages xx, xxii.
poetical beauties, picturesque traits, and original dialogue,
as much as may be consistent with necessary condensation and,
frequently, elimination. It should be a consecutive, lively
narrative, with the necessary elucidating explanations
digressions.... What we want in telling it to the young, is to
take the epic just as it is, condensing and expurgating, but not
‘Professor Earle’s version has been fully utilized in the
Yet there was one eye that gleamed not with merriment and
goodwill, one head that hatched no friendly thoughts, because the
amuse him. He broached a quarrelsome theme--an adventure in
Beowulf’s youth, the only contest in his record the issue of
which, though hard fought, might be called doubtful. For this
Unferth was an envious wight, whose soul grudged that any man
should achieve greater things than himself.
wantonly exposed your lives, and no man, either friend or foe,
could turn you from the foolish venture? A se’nnight ye twain
toiled in the realm of the waters, and, if I err not, he outdid
recondite features of that style.
illustrations in colours by George Morrow.
‘In writing the story of Beowulf I have been helped by Kemble’s
translation and notes, and still more by Professor Earle’s
admirable edition.’ --Author’s Note.
The Rev. Alfred John Church (born 1829) is known chiefly for his
But while they feasted envy stirred in the heart of Unferth, son
of Ecglaf. He was the King’s orator, and he took it ill that
Beowulf should have come to the land of the Danes on this great
Breca in swimming on the open sea? ‘Twas, indeed, a foolhardy
thing so to put your lives in jeopardy, yet no man could turn you
strength. And on the eighth morning the waves cast him ashore on
‘It is meant mainly to arouse in children an interest in the
beginnings of our literature--a subject that is still terribly
neglected in schools. It makes no pretension to being an adequate
‘[Discrepancies in the poem] I have endeavoured to smooth over by
grounds it seems less probable.’...
‘Many of the episodes in the story have been greatly shortened or
narrative, or divert the interest from the main theme.’
Now, though most of Hrothgar’s men rejoiced to see Beowulf, and
honoured him for his generous thought in coming to their help,
there was one who looked on him with dislike and envy, and was
jealous of the favour shown him by the king. This was Hunferth,
who was sitting on the daïs at Hrothgar’s feet. And when he heard
greater honour than he himself. So he began to rake up old tales
that he had heard of Beowulf, and tried to turn them to his hurt,
‘Art thou that Beowulf who once strove on the wide sea in a
him to the shore of Norway, whence he visited his beloved home,
the fair city of safety, where he ruled over many people, over
towns and treasure. Truly he did perform all his boast against
is sound enough; but the omission of any part of the poem in a
paraphrase so good as Miss Thomson’s is to be regretted.]
(_Only works which translate at least thirty lines are noted._)
GUMMERE, F. B., in the American Journal of Philology, VII, 77,
SWEET, HENRY, in Warton’s History of English Poetry, ed. W. Carew
A modern romance, having no relation to the Old English poem.
An original poem, using some of the Beowulf material.
‘I have ... composed an original narrative in which the leading
characters and some of the incidents of the early work have
been freely used, but as materials only. I have transferred to my
the relationship of characters and incidents; have inserted the
illumination of Beowulf’s soul, and his banishment; and have
introduced the love motive between Beowulf and Freaware that runs
style, description, elaboration, interpretation, and development
of the story are new. I have arbitrarily laid the scene in
England, under purely idealized conditions; and have initiated
nearly all that the poem contains of womanhood, of love, of
religion, of state-policy, and of domestic life and manners. It
is clear, therefore, that my work must not be judged either as a
translation, version, or paraphrase of the old Beowulf.’
Cox and Jones, _see_ Jones.
Kennedy, H. M., _see_ ten Brink.
Lemcke, Carl von, _see_ Manno.
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