Arts & Sciences

Riddle 62

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

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

Arts & Sciences

I am hard and sharp,
of entrance strong,
of departure strenuous,
to my master faithful.
I go under the belly,
and for myself a way,
direct I clear.
The man is in haste
who urges me
lingering behind.
A man with his garment
sometimes draws me out
hot from a hole ;
sometimes retreats into
a narrow space, I know not where,
violently compels
the southern man.
Say what I am call'd.

✦ ✦ ✦

Thorpe's Riddle II (third series, pp. 479–500, in his Codex Exoniensis, 1842); ASPR Riddle 62.

MLA

Anonymous (Old English). “Riddle 62.” Translated by Benjamin Thorpe. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-english/280/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Old English). “Riddle 62.” Translated by Benjamin Thorpe. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-english/280/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Anonymous (Old English)