my flight of poetic fancy safely back to terra firma. I owe special debts to Alain
Renoir and Sarah Higley: to the latter, for her creative illustrations which mediate
so marvelously between the Old English poet's original vision and my re-created
version; to the former, for his introductory setting which brilliantly displays the
many facets of the Old English gem and for his continuing support, particularly
during spring 1981 when, as a visiting professor at his gifstol at the University of
California at Berkeley, I received his largesse. Finally, to my family for the help
that was ofer min gemet "beyond my measure": to my wife Thelma, for her "good
ear" and always insightful and diplomatic comments, especially on the "Transla-
tion" essay; to my son Sayre, for providing a humorous perspective on myself and
my magnum opus with his parodic "Beowulf among the Anapests"; and to my
daughter Tamma, to whom this volume is dedicated: she read an entire draft of
the translation and unfailingly pinpointed those spots where I flagged somewhat
in sound, rhythm, or clarity.

STANLEY B. GREENFIELD

Eugene, Oregon
September 1981

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