THE ANGLO-SAXON POEMS OF BEOWULF THE TRAVELLERS SONG AND THE BATTLE OF FINNESBURH EDITED BY JOHN M. KEMBLE ESQ. M.A. OF TRINITY COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE FELLOW OF THE KONUNGLIGA PREFACE. VERY few words will, it is hoped, be necessary to justify the present publication. At this time, when a little more attention seems to be paid to the old feeling of England than heretofore; when, under the patronage of the government, one of our most distinguished scholars is occupied in reproducing the laws and annals of our ancestors; when too the Antiquarian Society have broken ground so nobly with their Cadmon; it is thought that this correct, lively, and most interesting record of the superstitions, the hero-life, and the domestic habits of society in a remote age will not be without its value. : It is remarkable that no notice whatever is taken of this fine poem by any AngloSaxon author and although this is partly to be attributed to theological causes, it also furnishes a presumption that the |