Arts & Sciences
Riddle 65
Translated by Benjamin Thorpe (1842) · From Exeter Book Riddles (selection)
Living I was, I spake not aught,
yet, nevertheless, I kill ;
before I was, again I came ;
every one robs me,
has me in restraint,
and my head shears,
bites me secretly,
breaks my ways.
I bite no man,
unless he bites me ;
there are many of those
who bite me.
Codex Note
Thorpe's Riddle V (third series, pp. 479–500, in his Codex Exoniensis, 1842); ASPR Riddle 65.
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (Old English). “Riddle 65.” Translated by Benjamin Thorpe. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-english/283/.
Chicago
Anonymous (Old English). “Riddle 65.” Translated by Benjamin Thorpe. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-english/283/.
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