Old English Poems and Riddles

Chris McCully brings Old English poetry to life with exhilarating immediacy. Here is the earliest surviving English poem, Caedmon’s Hymn , as well as one of the last poems to be written in the classical Old English alliterative style; some of the great elegies and epics, and a generous selection from Beowulf . Other dimensions of Anglo-Saxon culture are represented in religious meditations, riddles, charms and rhythmical prose, all translated into metrical half-lines that capture the subtlety and pace of the originals. The introduction explores the fascination this poetry has held for Chris McCully over many years, as a poet and a scholar. The translations are referenced to manuscripts and critical editions, making them a valuable resource for students and for all those keen to read more of the earliest English poetry. A bibliography and reading list, with a note on Anglo-Saxon manuscripts and material in libraries and on the Internet, complete the book.