Page:Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book (1963).djvu/37



A warrior is wondrously   brought into the world for the use of lords     by two dumb things; brightly extracted,     which for his hurt foe bears against foe. Strong though he is a woman binds him. He obeys them well, serves them quietly,    if maids and men tend him duly,     feed him fairly. He exalts them in comfort    for their joy in life, grimly rewards one     who lets him grow proud.

Probably Fire, the two dumb things (l. 2) being flint and steel.

Ancient my lineage. . . . . I lived in towns    after the keeper of fire. . . . .    encircled with flame purified by fire. Now earth&rsquo;s brother, an enemy, guards me,    who was first for me a bringer of sorrow. Full well I remember who in the beginning    drove my lineage, destroyed all the world. I may do him no harm, but I raise up captivity    from time to time, the wide world over. I have many glories, no little strength    in all the land, but I must conceal     from every man the secret power     of precious skill and the path I follow. Tell what my name is.

The text is uncommonly difficult, as though the author tried too hard to be &ldquo;poetical.&rdquo; The answer must be Metal in some form: ore, gold, money. The keeper of the fire is Tubal Cain (Gen. 4:22).