< Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book < Annotated
79 (k-d 62)
| I am hard and sharp, strong in entering, bold in coming out, good and true to my lord. I go in underneath and myself open up the proper way. The warrior is in haste who pushes me from behind a hero with his dress. Sometimes he draws me out, hot from the hole. Sometimes I go back in the narrow place— I know not where. A southern man drives me hard. Say what my name is. |
Ic eom heard on scearp Ingonges strong · forðsiþes from frean unforcuð wade under wambe ⁊ me weg sylfa ryhtne geryme rinc bið on ofeste se mec on þyð æftanweardne hæleð mid hrægle hwilum ut tyhð of hole hatne hwilum eft fareð on nearo nathwær nydeþ swiþe suþerne secg saga hwæt ic hatte |
The answer is Gimlet or Poker. “Southern” is a literal translation, meaning perhaps a skilled workman as opposed to the cruder man from northern districts; or one who works from below.
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