Page:Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book (1963).djvu/43



I saw in the hall where heroes drank a thing of four kinds borne on the wall. splendid forest tree, and twisted gold, skilfully wound treasure, and part of it silver; and the sign of the cross of Him who raised us step by step up to heaven before he stormed the castle of Hell&rsquo;s people. I can readily report on the excellence of the wood: there was maple and oak and tough yew and the dark holly. They are all together a help to good men. One name they have: Wolf-head Tree, that often afforded a weapon for its lord, a treasure in the hall, a gold-hilted sword. Now show me the answer of this my song, whoever may presume to say in words how the wood is called.

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;

I am an active flame; I sport with the wind, enwound with wonder, enwrapped by the storm, eager on my way, troubled by fire, a blooming grove, a burning flame. Friends often pass me from hand to hand so that men and women proudly kiss me. When I rise up they bow down to me,