The Song of Roland. Done into English, in the original measure by Charles Scott Moncrieff with an introduction by G. K. Chesterton and a note on technique by George Saintsbury.

SCOTT MONCRIEFF, C. K. (trans.).

Published by London: Chapman & Hall, Ltd, 1919

About this Item

First Scott Moncrieff edition, inscribed by the translator on the front free endpaper, "To the Duchess of Malfi from her devoted servant C.K.S.M. 23 XI 1919". It was inscribed to the actress Cathleen Nesbitt at the premier of the revival of John Webster's play, which was first performed around 1612 and which was revived with Nesbitt starring as the duchess at the Lyric Theatre. Scott Moncrieff's lauded translation from the Old French of the famous 11th-century chanson de geste was published in the same year he translated Beowulf, and a few years before he began his monumental translation of Proust's roman-fleuve (1922-31). The Song of Roland's themes of martial chivalry and comradeship is reflected through the three dedicatory poems, in which Scott Moncrieff honours his fallen friends or lovers Wilfred Owen, Philip Bainbridge, and Ian Mackenzie. Scott Moncrieff himself fought with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers from 1914 to 1917, his service ending after being injured by an artillery shell. In his introduction, G. K. Chesterton ends on the sombre note that "war is never finished in this world; and the grass has hardly grown on the graves of our own friends who fell in it" (p. xii). Octavo. Original red cloth, paper spine label lettered in brown and black. Spine and edges toned, partially affecting titles, some marks to cloth, ends and corners a little worn, free endpapers browned, occasional foxing and faint mark to gutter. A very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 192110

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Song of Roland. Done into English, in the original measure by Charles Scott Moncrieff with an introduction by G. K. Chesterton and a note on technique by George Saintsbury.
• Publisher: London: Chapman & Hall, Ltd, 1919
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)