Page:Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book (1963).djvu/54

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I saw a thing in the dwellings of men that feeds the cattle; has many teeth. The beak is useful to it; it goes downwards, ravages faithfully; pulls homewards; hunts along walls; reaches for roots. Always it finds them, those which are not fast; lets them, the beautiful, when they are fast, stand in quiet in their proper places, brightly shining, growing, blooming.

Rake.


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My beak is downward and low I move and dig in the ground. The hoar foe of the forest directs my movements; and so my master goes bent over, the guide at my tail, drives across the field, pushes me and crowds me, and sows in my swath. I go sniffing along, brought from the woodland, stoutly fastened, borne on a wagon. I have many strange ways. I leave green on one side and black on the other. Driven through my back there hangs beneath a well-sharpened point; on my head another, firm and forward-moving. What I tear with my teeth falls to the side, if he serves me well, my lord who behind me heeds me and guides me.

Plow, as would be easily recognized by those familiar with its structure. The &ldquo;hoar foe of the forest&rdquo; may mean the man who