2.3. Example: Much emended passage in different stages
2.3. Example: Much emended passage in different stages
(cf. Tolkien 2016, 4–8)
(a) Text of B(i)
»Weary of the sea they set their tall shields [words lost] … ed and wondrous hard, against that mansion’s wall, then turned they to the benches. Corslets changed, the war-harness of those warriors; their spears were piled together, weapons with ashen haft each grey-tipped with steel. Well furnished with weapons was [words lost: the iron-]clad company. There a proud knight then asked those men of battle concerning their lineage: ›Whence bear ye your gold-plated shields, your grey shirts of mail, your vizored helms and throng of warlike spears? I am Hrothgar’s herald and esquire. Never have I seen so many men of alien folk more proud of heart! Methinks that in pride, not in the ways of banished men, nay, with valiant purpose are you come seeking Hrothgar.‹ To him then made answer, strong and bold, the proud prince of the Weder-Geats; these words he spake in turn, grim beneath his helmet: ›Companions of Hygelac’s table are we; Beowulf is my name.‹« (4f.)
(b) Text of B(i)’ [= emended B(i)]
»Weary of the sea they set their tall shields and bucklers wondrous hard against the wall of the house, and sat then on the bench. Corslets rang, war-harness of men. Their spears were piled together, seamen’s gear, ash-wood steel-tipped with grey. Well furnished with weapons was the iron-mailed company. There then a knight in proud array asked those men of battle concerning their lineage: ›Whence bear ye your gold-plated shields, your grey shirts of mail, your vizored helms and throng of warlike spears? I am Hrothgar’s herald and esquire. Never have I seen so many men of alien folk more proud of heart! I deem that with proud purpose, not in the ways of banished men, nay, in greatness of heart you are come seeking Hrothgar.‹ To him then, strong and bold, the proud prince of the Weder-Geats replied, these words he spake in answer, stern beneath his helm: ›We are companions of Hygelac’s board; Beowulf is my name.‹« (5)
changes in wording: B(i) > B(i)’
(c) Text of C’ [= emended C]
»Weary of the sea they set their tall shields, bucklers wondrous hard, against the wall of the house, and sat then on the bench. Corslets rang, war-harness of men. Their spears stood piled together, seamen’s gear, ash-hafted, grey-tipped with steel. Well furnished with weapons was the iron-mailed company. There then a knight in proud array asked those men of battle concerning their lineage: ›Whence bear ye your plated shields, your grey shirts of mail, your masked helms and throng of warlike shafts? I am Hrothgar’s herald and servant. Never have I seen so many men of outland folk more proud of bearing! I deem that in pride, not in the ways of banished men, nay, with greatness of heart you have come seeking Hrothgar!‹ To him then, strong and bold, the proud prince of the Windloving folk replied, […] words he spake in answer, stern beneath his helm: ›We are companions of Hygelac’s table; Beowulf is my name.‹« (6)
changes in wording: C > C’
(b) Text of C
»Weary of the sea they set their tall shields and bucklers wondrous hard against the wall of the house, and sat then on the bench. Corslets rang, war-harness of men. Their spears were piled together, seamen’s gear, ash-wood steel-tipped […]. Well furnished with weapons was the iron-mailed company. There then a knight in proud array asked those men of battle concerning their lineage: ›Whence bear ye your gold-plated shields, your grey shirts of mail, your vizored helms and throng of warlike spears? I am Hrothgar’s herald and esquire. Never have I seen so many men of alien folk more proud of heart! I deem that with proud purpose, not in the ways of banished men, nay, with greatness of heart you are come seeking Hrothgar.‹ To him then, strong and bold, the proud prince of the Weder-Geats replied, these words he spake in answer, stern beneath his helm: ›We are companions of Hygelac’s board; Beowulf is my name.‹« (cf. 5f.)
changes in wording: B(i)’ > C (≙ typing errors)
lined underline: revisions returned in C to the B(i) version
dashed underline: corrections of C(’) in D:
typing error of Christopher in C (and no correction by J.R.R. in C’): with greatness (C) > in greatness (D)
mistake of J.R.R.: you have come (C’) > ye have come (D)