Riddle 31

This mid-earth is
in various
guises beautified,
curiously adorn'd.
I saw a strange
thing singing :
the creature was in a house,
among people ;
it had a figure
wonderful ;
downward was
its face,
its feet and members
like to a bird's,
yet fly it cannot,
nor go much,
yet, diligent of foot,
resolves to proceed,
chosen in its powers :
it turns much,
oft and frequently,
among men
sits at the feast ;
awaits the time,
when it its craft
may make known
among men.
nor does it there eat aught
of that which at their merriment
men have.
Beloved, of sway desirous,
it continues dumb,
yet in its foot there is
a sweet voice,
a pleasant gift of song.
Wonderous to me it seems,
how the thing can
sport with words,
through its foot beneath.
Curiously adorn'd,
it has on its neck
(when it its treasure guards,
with bearing-rings accoutred)
its brethren,
male with female.
Much has to consider
a wise orator,
what the creature is.