When morning came, they met and made their way 370 Toward the boats; the brave men climbed aboard; The salty spray was splashing over them As eager men pushed off the beach and out To deeper water in the waves and wind While Sigelac himself hauled up the sails Of wave-birds taking warriors on their way. The ships grew smaller as they sailed away And, dim and distant, finally disappeared As Wiglaf watched them from the water's edge. 'Christopher Webber's Beyond Beowulf will cast a spell over readers of all ages. With poetry both elegant and vigorous, Webber leads us on a breathtaking adventure through a somber and magical land. By the end of the journey, we are indeed convinced we have unearthed a lost sequel to the epic Beowulf, a sequel that rises to the greatness of its predecessor." -Mary Pope Osborne, author of Favorite Medieval Tales "a first conversation about a different answer than the sword only, to a world full of evils and dangers, trolls and monsters, and human enemies, within us and without.. . . a very good antidote to a paint-by-the-numbers world. It's also delightful reading, and civilized, and wise. - Sam Waterston, actor, star of Law and Order