The present work is a modest effort to reproduce approximately in modern measures the venerable epic Beowulf. Approximately I repeat; for a very close reproduction of Anglo-Saxon verse would to a large extent be prose to a modern ear.
The Heyne-Socin text and glossary have been closely followed. Occasionally a deviation has been made but always for what seemed good and sufficient reason. The translator does not aim to be an editor. Once in a while however he has added a conjecture of his own to the emendations quoted from the criticisms of other students of the poem.