Arts & Sciences

Riddle 30b

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

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

Arts & Sciences

I am a busybody,
I sport with the wind,
* * *
* * *
hastening away ;
by fire melted,
* * blowing,
burning embers.
Full oft me my comrades
send from hand to hand,
where me men and women
proud kiss.
When I raise myself,
they bow down to me,
lofty ones with compassion.
So I to many shall
increase the growth
of happiness.

✦ ✦ ✦

Thorpe's Riddle I (second series, pp. 470–473, in his Codex Exoniensis, 1842); ASPR Riddle 30b.

MLA

Anonymous (Old English). “Riddle 30b.” Translated by Benjamin Thorpe. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-english/268/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Old English). “Riddle 30b.” Translated by Benjamin Thorpe. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-english/268/.

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