The Oldest English Epic. Translated in the Original Metre by
Francis Gummere. (Macmillan and Co. 4s. 6c1.)—Mr. Gummere has caught the tone and spirit of Beowulf very happily. The verse is of the simplest, and he has done well to keep this. characteristic. Prose leaves, after all, something to be desired, and anything elaborate in the way of verse makes necessary too great sacrifices. Here is a specimen :--
"Rome then rode the hoary clansmen, From that merry journey, and many a youth On horses white, the hardy warriors Back from the mere. Then Beowulfs glory Eager they echoed, and all averred That from sea to sea, or south or north, There was no other in earth's domain, Under vault of heaven, more valiant found."
The notes will prove useful.—With this may be mentioned Short Extracts from Old English Poetry, Chiefly for Unseen Trans- lation, Edited by 0. T. Williams, MA. (Jarvis and Foster, Bangor, le. 6d. net). The editor of this little volume lectures on English Literature and Language at the University College, North Wales, and this is intended for use by his classes. It is furnished with a glossary and some critical notes.
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