Here is a spirited version of the oldest English verse epic. With tremendous power and memorable simplicity, Ian Serraillier has retold the heroic saga of the warrior who in his youth delivered Hrothgar the Dane from the menace of Grendel, the night-prowling monster, and in his old age fought his last victorious but fatal battle against the dreadful dragon who ravaged the land of the Geats. The verse follows closely the pattern of the original poem, rekindling all the fire and vigor of the unknown author who first wrote down this magnificent story, more than a thousand years ago.

From the dust jacket