Page:Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book (1963).djvu/51



sufferes woes on my way, was forced to perform my share of labors.Often the goad hurt me never spoke out  to any man if ever the pricks were painful to me

The young Ox, fed at its mother&rsquo;s dugs. It grew up and left the milking to herdsmen; later it was forced to draw a plow.

I saw the creature, of the arms-bearing kind, greedy for youth&rsquo;s joys. As its due it let four nourishing fountains, brightly shining, shoot forth noisily, as is right and proper. Then spake a man, who said to me: &ldquo;The creature, if it lives, will break up the hillside; if rent apart, will bind the living.&rdquo;

Bull calf. See pp. xiv f. above. &ldquo;Arms-bearing&rdquo; means &ldquo;masculine.&rdquo;

I saw a woman sitting alone.

Hen has been suggested, as well as mirror. Or this may be first line of a riddle, of which the rest is lost.

I saw them, all ten, treading the turf, the six brothers and their sisters too, living and lively. Their skins hung plainly, visibly manifest, on the wall of the house, each and every one; nor was any the worse, nor side the sorer, though thus they must, despoiled of their raiment, roused by the power of heaven&rsquo;s Lord, tear with their mouths the gray-green leaves. Their garment is renewed;