*Gudrun and other Stories, from the Epics of the Middle Ages, by John
Gibb. M. Japp & Company: London: Edinburgh (printed), 1881.
Gudrun, Beowulf, and Roland, with other mediaeval tales by John Gibb,
with twenty illustrations. Second edition. London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1884
(1883).
8vo, _Beowulf_, pp. 135-168, with three illustrations[1].
A Paraphrase in English Prose.
_Aim of the Volume._
‘I have not translated them (the poems) literally, but have told
their stories faithfully in simple language, with the special
design of interesting young people, although I am not without hope
that they will be read by some who can no longer be called young.’
--Prefatory Note.
_Nature of the Paraphrase._
The following parts are omitted: (1) All episodes except the Prolog;
(2) All lines that do not have to do directly with the story; (3) All
the descriptive adjectives and kennings of the poem.
Gibb seems to care nothing for the beauties of the style. How much he
has sacrificed may be seen by noting his rendering of the celebrated
description of Grendel’s haunt:--
‘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
hounds are close upon it, so fearful and unholy is the place.’
An illustration of the same thing may be seen by noting the omission of
phrases from the swimming-match.