In the opinion of the present writer, no better paraphrase of Beowulf exists.
It is perhaps unfortunate that the word ‘translated’ is used on the title-page, for this is misleading. The proper form is that used on the cover of the book, ‘Beowulf, told by Miss Clara Thomson.’
It were sufficient praise to point out that the author has contrived to retain practically all of the poem, without ever falsifying its spirit by introducing a superabundance of explanatory phrases[2]. She is always true to the story (as Miss Ragozin[3] is not, for example, in the first section of her work); she is equally true to the spirit of the poem (as Mr. Gibb[4] is not). The style is both vigorous and simple, not unworthy of the story it tells.
It will be surprising if Miss Thomson’s work is not popular in England, and the book should be known and used in this country.
[1.] Miss Thomson is better known as the biographer of Samuel Richardson. See Samuel Richardson, a Biographical and Critical Study. London, 1900.
[2.] The author’s argument against inserting the Prolog 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.