NOTE: Goodreads thinks that the Chickering and Heaney translations are the same. This is wrong. My review is for Chickering's translation.

Chickering's translation is likely not for the average reader. He reproduces the blunt, epic style of the original in a way that is faithful to the original and even engaging. However, the original story describes a culture where stealing mead-hall benches is seen as a great feat for a king. (This text in question is describing the might of King Scyld, who takes mead-hall benches as trophies from vanquished foes. The culture of the ruling class revolved around mead halls, so losing your mead hall was like the later loss of a castle.)

This was the first dual-language translation of Beowulf in over a century, and it was enjoyable to read both versions. Looking back at the book, it's the kind of text that I would enjoy shouting aloud to a crowded room, but not necessarily one I'd recommend that others read.