The Old Ways

Norse · Anglo-Saxon Poetry · 74 of 343

Riddle 33

Old English originals (Anglo-Saxon Poetic Records)

Wiht cwom æfter wege wrætlicu liþan, cymlic from ceole cleopode to londe, hlinsade hlude; hleahtor wæs gryrelic, egesful on earde, ecge wæron scearpe. Wæs hio hetegrim, hilde to sæne, biter beadoweorca; bordweallas grof, heardhiþende. Heterune bond, sægde searocræftig ymb hyre sylfre gesceaft: "Is min modor mægða cynnes þæs deorestan, þæt is dohtor min eacen up liden, swa þæt is ældum cuþ, firum on folce, þæt seo on foldan sceal on ealra londa gehwam lissum stondan."