Alexander makes accessible poems that cannot be understood by native speakers of modern English without significant time and effort. Poems that nevertheless form the foundation of poetry in English and provide a window on the Anglo-Saxon world, its history, culture and values. This collection, despite its modest size, shows the range of modes and interests of Anglo-Saxon verse. Fragments such as The Battle of Maldon also make me wonder how much great literature has been lost irretreivably - a sad thought. ( )

2019
https://www.librarything.com/topic/306026#6911678

If readers ever stop to consider Old English literature, they likely will think about Beowulf or Chaucer. This collection of poetry fragments is one of the few books accessible to the average reader to present a selection of other preserved works that were written in Old English. The intention of the anthology is to demonstrate the variety of recorded texts from a distant past that is not as appreciated as it should be, to illustrate the oral skill of the storytellers and show how this storytelling was converted to the written form, and to teach on the particular traits of the poetry that made this a highly polished art form.

The book does offer several fragments from Beowulf. The rest, however, are pieces that are likely new to readers who aren't scholars in the field. Several of the poems are sections from extended poems that detailed important battles. Others are described as elegies or laments, and a few are nearly incomprehensible in their subject matter now that we are so far removed from their contexts. The book presents a selection of riddles, a typical past time in those Anglo-Saxon days, and an example of a beautiful poem that blends the new Christian religion with preexisting pagan traditions. Themes that were important to the listeners and tellers of those tales quickly become apparent: the importance of kin and community, the need for battles, the glory of battles, an emphasis on honor and courage, the seafaring life, the despair over being isolated and separated from family, and the power of the story teller.

I found this to be an intellectual read, very interesting in revealing an old culture and a way of storytelling that had power and beauty but is no longer practiced in the same manner. Our poetry has evolved into a very different form. Every excerpt, and most of these were excerpts, was accompanied with introductions and extensive footnotes. The selections were short, which helped to keep the reading move along smoothly. On the other hand, the reading was quite different from an escapist book. It was methodical and focused, and appealed to me because it expanded my knowledge of literature, not because it was a thrilling story. Occasionally I read for fun, sometimes for the dense play of language and literature, and at other times for information or growth. In this case, I was interested in the language and the information. The fascinating world of reading has so many rich new avenues to explore, and this book sheds just a small light on one of them. ( )

Exactly as advertised. I think Mr. Alexander is a capable translator, and the book contains my favourite Early English Poem, "The Ruin" on page 28 -9. ...It is a kingly thing....City... ( )

The Earliest English Poems (Penguin Classics), translated by Michael Alexander, who also did the excellent Penguin translation of Beowulf.

Alexander selected what he regards as the cream of the crop of Anglo-Saxon poetry. The style of his translations varies somewhat since he translated these works over a period of time, during which his attitudes toward translation changed. He adhered throughout, however, to the Old English verse format, built on a line composed of two clearly distinct half-lines, each with two beats, all held together by alliteration. He also tried to use as many of the Old English words as he could that would be still intelligible to modern readers. This choice of words gives his renderings a lot of strength and differentiates the diction from a more generalized heroic verse style that is often found in translations from various literatures and eras.

I find this old poetry, especially the battle poems, very involving and moving. I am not an Old English scholar, so I can't comment on the accuracy of the translation, but I like Alexander's translation of Beowulf better than any other I have read, and these shorter poems measure up to it.

The notes are sometimes helpful, but usually aimed at philologists. The introduction will be helpful to anyone unfamiliar with Anglo-Saxon society and literature, but Alexander's introductory comments on his own translation can be fussy and persnickety, quite the opposite of his poetic style, which is straightforward and forceful. He should let his poetry stand on its own. ( )