Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book/Annotated/13

This one is difficult, but the author liked it and called it a song (gied), a poem. The solutions hesitate between Scabbard and Cross; probably both are intended. A sword out of its scabbard may resemble a cross and the Holy Rood was often described as made of four kinds of wood. A wolf-head is an outlaw; the tree therefore a gallows. Altogether, a composite image&mdash;scabbard, sword, cross, Holy Rood, gallows on which our Lord was crucified. For additional complication the verb translated &ldquo;afforded&rdquo; might also mean &ldquo;warded off.&rdquo;