Arts & Sciences

Riddle 30

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

Translated by Benjamin Thorpe (1842) · From Exeter Book Riddles (selection)

Arts & Sciences

I am a busy flame,
I play with the wind,
surrounded with glory,
in air collected,
rapid of departure,
with fire occupied,
a blooming grove,
a burning gleed.
Full oft me associates
send from hand to hand,
so that me men and women,
proud, kiss,
when I raise myself,
and they bend to me.
many with kindness,
where I shall men's
advancement increase,
their happiness.

✦ ✦ ✦

Thorpe's Riddle XXXI (first series, pp. 380–441, in his Codex Exoniensis, 1842); ASPR Riddle 30.

MLA

Anonymous (Old English). “Riddle 30.” Translated by Benjamin Thorpe. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-english/267/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Old English). “Riddle 30.” Translated by Benjamin Thorpe. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-english/267/.

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