《新经典高等学校英语专业系列教材:英国文学史及选读(1)》根据英国文学历史的顺序结合作品选读编写而成,在历史部分,对英国文学史的每个阶段作了简明扼要的概述,而在作品选读部分则尽可能遴选了文学史上的重要作家和重要作品。教材内容丰富,观点正确,选文具有代表性,可作高校英语专业文学课程的课本或参考书,也是广大英美文学爱好者的理想读物。

TheFightwithGrendel (X)7henHrothgarwentoutofthehallwithhiscompanyofwarriors,theprotectoroftheScyldings.ThewarchiefwouldseekthebedofWealhtheowthequeen.TheKingofG10ry—asmenhadlearned--hadappointedahall—guardagainstGrendel;hehadaspecialmissiontotheprinceoftheDanes:hekeptwatchagainstmonsters. AndthemanoftheGeatshadsuretrustinhisgreatmight,thefavouroftheRuler.Thenhetookoffhisshirtofarmour,thehelmetfromhishead,handedhisembellishedsword,bestofirons,toanattendant,badehimkeepguardoverhiswar—gear.Thenthegoodwarriorspokesomeboast—wordsbeforehewenttohisbed,BeowulfoftheGeats:“Iclaimmyselfnopoorerinwar—strength,warworks,thanGrendelclaimshimself.Therefore1willnotputhimtosleepwithasword,SOtakeawayhislifethoughsurelyImight.Heknowsnogoodtoolswithwhichhemightstrikeagainstme,cutmyshieldinpieces,thoughheisstronginfight.Butweshallforgotheswordinthenight—ifhedareseekwarwithoutweapon--andthenmaywiseGod,HolyLord,assigngloryonwhicheverhandseemsgoodtoHim”’ Thebattlebraveonelaidhimselfdown,thepillowreceivedtheearl‘shead.andabouthimmanyabraveseamanlaydowntohall—rest.Noneofthemthoughtthathewouldeveragainseekfromtherehisdearhome,peopleortownwherehehadbeenbroughtup;fortheyknewthatbloodydeathhadcarriedofffartoomanymeninthewine—hall,folkoftheDanes.ButtheLordgrantedtoweaveforthemgoodfortuneinwar,forthefoIkoftheWeather—Geats,comfortandhelpthattheyshouldquiteovercometheirfoethroughthemightofoneman,throughhissolestrength:thetruthhasbeenmadeknownthatmightyGodhasalwaysruledmankind. ……

Part I The Middle Ages Chapter1 The Anglo-Saxon Period Beowulf Chapter2 The Anglo-Norman Period Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Chapter 3 Geoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury Tales Chapter 4 Popular Ballads Robin Hood and Allin-a-Dale Get Up and Bar the Door Sir Patrick Spens Part II The Renaissance Chapter 5 William Shakespeare The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark The Merchant of Venice Sonnet 18 Sonnet 29 Sonnet 106 Chapter 6 Francis Bacon Of Studies Part III The Period of Revolution and Restoration Chapter 7 John Donne Song A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning Death Be Not Proud Chapter 8 John Milton Paradise Lost On His Blindness On His Deceased Wife Chapter 9 John Bunyan The Pilgrim's Progress Part IV The Age of Enligtenment