Page:Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book (1963).djvu/39

 He holds and wields  as He encircles them about. Me he wondrously made at the beginning when at the first he established this universe. He bade me to live long unsleeping that I slumber not forever after. And me suddenly sleep overcomes; both my eyes are quickly closed. All this world the mighty Lord moves with mastery in all its parts; so that I at the world of the mighty ruler all this universe encircle about. I am so timid that a fleeting phantom terribly can fill me with fright; and I am everywhere bolder than a boar when swollen with fury it stands at bay. No banner-bearer can overcome me throughout the world  save God alone who holds and rules this high heaven. My fragrance is stronger. . . . than any incense or any rose in the field of earth. . . . beautifully blooms; I am stronger than that. Although the lily is precious to men, and bright of blossom I am better than it; thus the odor of nard I (quite) overcome with my very sweetness ever and everywhere. And I am fouler than this black fen that here evilly smells of filth. And I govern under heaven&rsquo;s expanse as the beloved Father taught me at the start, that I must rule with right justice over thick and thin, and everywhere hold the form and feature of every thing. I am brighter than heaven; the high King bids me to hold and cherish  his secret treasures. I scan all things also under the earth,