Exeter Book Riddles
These are a few riddles from the Exeter Book, a tenth-century collection of AngloSaxon poetry, and one of the four major collections of Anglo-Saxon poetry.
Riddle 25 I am a wonderful help to women, The hope of something to come. I harm No citizen except my slayer. Rooted I stand on a high bed. I am shaggy below. Sometimes the beautiful Peasant's daughter, an eager-armed, Proud woman grabs my body, Rushes my red skin, holds me hard, Claims my head. The curly-haired Woman who catches me fast will feel Our meeting. Her eye will be wet.
Riddle 45 A moth ate songs--wolfed words! That seemed a weird dish--that a worm Should swallow, dumb thief in the dark, The songs of a man, his chants of glory, Their place of strength. That thief-guest Was no wiser for having swallowed words
Riddle 76 I am a prince's property andjoy, Sometimes his shoulder-companion, Close comrade in arms, king's servant, Lord's treasure. Sometimes my lady, A bright-haired beauty, lays serving Hands on my body, though she is noble And the daughter of an earl. I bear
In my belly what blooms in the wood, The bee's delight. Sometimes I ride A proud horse in the rush of battle Harsh is my voice, hard is my tongue. I bear the scop's meed when his song is done. My gift is good, my way winning, My color dark. Say what I am called.
Riddle 25 I am man's treasure, taken from the woods, Cliff-sides, hill-slopes, valleys, downs; By day wings bear me in the buzzing air, Slip me under a sheltering roof--sweet craft. Soon a man bears me to a tub. Bathed, I am binder and scourge of men, bring down The young, ravage the old, sap strength. Soon he discovers who wrestles with me My fierce body-rush--I roll fools Flush on the ground. Robbed of strength, Reckless of speech, a man knows no power Over hands, feet, mind. Who am I who bind Men on middle-earth, blinding with rage And such savage blows that dazed Fools know my dark power by daylight?
Riddle 27 I saw a wonderful creature carrying Light plunder between its horns. Curved lamp of the air, cunningly formed, It fetched home its booty from the day's raid And plotted to build in its castle if it could A night-chamber brightly adorned. Then over the east wall came another creature Well known to earth-dwellers. Wonderful as well, It seized back its booty and sent the plunderer home
Like an unwilling wanderer. The wretch went west, Moved morosely and murderously on. Dust rose to the heavens, dew fell on earthNight moved on. Afterwards no one In the world knew where the wanderer had gone.
Also from The Exeter Book: Gnomic Verses (Maxims)
(lines 71-99) Frost shall freeze fire eat wood earth shall breed ice shall bridge water a shield wear. One shall break frosts fetters free the grain from wonder-lock One who all can. Winter shall wane fair weather come again the sun-warmed summer! The sound unstill the deep dead wave is darkest longest. Holly shall to the pyre hoard be scattered when the bodys numb. Name is best. A king shall win a queen with goods beakers, bracelets. Both must first be kind with gifts. Courage must wax war-mood in the man, the woman grow up beloved among her people, be light of mood
hold close a rune-word be roomy-hearted at hoard-share and horse-giving. When the hall drinks she shall always and everywhere before any company greet first the father of aethelings with the first draught deft to his hand she holds the horn and when they are at home together know the right way to run their household. The ship must be nailed the shield framed from the light linden. But how loving the welcome of the Frisian wife when floats offshore the keel come home again! She calls him within walls, her own husband hulls at anchor! washes salt-stains from his stiff shirt brings out clothes clean and fresh for her lord on land again. Loves need is met. Gnomic verses from the Exeter Book, 7th-10th century, translated by Michael Alexander, from The Earliest English Poems. Copyright 1966, 1977, 1991 by Michael Alexander. Used by permission of Penguin Books (UK), Ltd. Source: The Earliest English Poems (Penguin Books, 1991)
Anglo-Saxon Charms
Charm for a Swarm of Bees Take earth with your right hand and throw it under your right foot, saying: I've got it, I've found it: Lo, earth masters all creatures, it masters evil, it masters deceit, it masters humanity's greedy tongue. Throw light soil over them [the bees] as they swarm, saying: Sit, wise women, settle on earth: never in fear fly to the woods. Please be mindful of my welfare as all men are of food and land.
Charm Against a Dwarf Take seven little wafers, such as those used in worship, and write these names on each wafer: Maximianus, Malchus, Iohannes, Martimianus, Dionisius, Constantinus, Serafion. Then sing the charm that is given, first in the left ear, then in the right ear, then over the top of the head. And then let a virgin go to him and hang it on his neck. And do this for three days. He will soon be better. A spider-thing came on the scene with his cloak in his hand; claiming you for his horse, he put his cord on your neck. Then they began to cast off from land; as soon as they left the land they nonetheless began to cool. The beast's sister came on the scene; she stopped it, and swore these oaths: that this should never hurt the sick one, nor any who tried to take this charm, nor any who should speak this charm. Amen. Fiat.
