Arts & Sciences

Riddle 52: Flail

by Anonymous (Old English) c. 7th–11th century

Translated by R. K. Gordon, Anglo-Saxon Poetry (Everyman’s Library, 1926) · From Exeter Book Riddles (selection)

Arts & Sciences

I saw two hard captives carried into the dwelling under the roof of the hall; they were companions fettered fast together by strait bonds. Close to one of them was a dark-haired slave-woman who controlled both of them fast in bonds in their course.

This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.

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Gordon's riddle headed 'Flail' (his selection gives headings, not numbers); ASPR Riddle 52.

MLA

Anonymous (Old English). “Riddle 52: Flail.” Translated by R. K. Gordon, Anglo-Saxon Poetry. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-english/249/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Old English). “Riddle 52: Flail.” Translated by R. K. Gordon, Anglo-Saxon Poetry. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-english/249/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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