sh (Anglo-Saxon)
grammar, adapted from a Latin work, a Latin dictionary, and many other
things of great use in their day and of great interest in ours.

The names of other writers and of other single works might well be added
here. But enough has been said, perhaps, to show that a great and
hopeful development of prose took place among the West Saxons. It must
be admitted that the last years of the Anglo-Saxon nationality before
the coming of the Normans show a decline in literary productiveness of a
high order. The causes of this are to be found chiefly in the political
and ecclesiastical history of the time. Wars with the Northmen, internal
dissensions, religious controversies, the greater cultivation of Latin
by the priesthood, all contributed to it. But hopeful signs of a new
revival were not wanting. The language had steadily developed with the
enlightenment of the people, and was fast becoming fit to meet any
demands that might be made upon it, when the great catastrophe of the
Norman Conquest came, and with it practically the end of the historical
and distinctive Anglo-Saxon literature.

[Illustration: Signature: "Robert Sharp"]

FROM 'BEOWULF'

[The Spear-Danes intrust the dead body of King Scyld to the sea, in a
splendidly adorned ship. He had come to them mysteriously, alone in a ship,
when an infant.]

At the hour that was fated
Scyld then departed to the All-Father's keeping
War-like to wend him; away then they bare him
To the flood of the current, his fond-loving comrades.
As himself he had bidden, while the friend of the Scyldings
Word-sway wielded, and the well-loved land prince
Long did rule them. The ring-stemmed vessel,
Bark of the atheling, lay there at anchor,
Icy in glimmer and eager for sailing;
The beloved leader laid they down there,
Giver of rings, on the breast of the vessel,
The famed by the mainmast. A many of jewels,
Of fretted embossings, from far-lands brought over,
Was placed near at hand then; and heard I not ever
That a folk ever furnished a float more superbly
With weapons of warfare, weeds for the battle,
Bills and burnies; on his bosom sparkled
Many a jewel that with him must travel
On the flush of the flood afar on the current.
And favors no fewer they furnished him soothly,
Excellent folk-gems, than others had given him
Lone on the main, the merest of infants: