Beowulf, en fornengelsk hjeltedikt, öfversatt af Rudolf Wickberg.
Westervik, C. O. Ekblad & Comp., 1889. 4to, pp. 48, double columns.
First Swedish Translation. Imitative Measures.
_Aim of the Volume._
The translator begins his introduction with a discussion of the
importance of _Beowulf_ as a historical document. For this reason he is
especially interested in the episodes:--
‘This important historical interest may then explain the reason
for translating the poem into Swedish, and also serve as an excuse
for the fact that in the translation the poetic form has not been
considered of first importance.’ --Inledning, p. 3.
_Nature of the Translation._
‘In the translation I have endeavored to make the language
readable and modern. A translation out of an ancient tongue ought
never to strive after archaic flavor in point of words and
expressions. Since the poet wrote in the language of his day, the
translation ought also to use contemporary language.... I have
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,
p. 6.
_Texts Used._
The author constructs his own text. He explains (p. 6) that he has in
general taken the MS. as the basis of his text. He has emended by making
those changes which ‘seemed most necessary or most probable.’ In places
where this departure from the MS. has been made, he italicizes the words
of his translation.