Anglo-Saxon Riddle

Anonymous, c.950 A.D.Anglo-Saxon Riddle

A noble guest of great lineage dwells

A noble guest of great lineage dwells

In the house of man. Grim hunger

In the house of man. Grim hunger

Cannot harm him, nor feverish thirst,

Cannot harm him, nor feverish thirst,

Nor age, nor illness. If the servant

Nor age, nor illness. If the servant

Of the guest who rules, serves well

Of the guest who rules, serves well

On the journey, they will find together

On the journey, they will find together

Bliss and well-being, a feast of fate;

Bliss and well-being, a feast of fate;

If the slave will not as a brother be ruled

If the slave will not as a brother be ruled

By a lord he should fear and follow

By a lord he should fear and follow

Then both will suffer and sire a family

Then both will suffer and sire a family

Of sorrows when, springing from the world,

Of sorrows when, springing from the world,

They leave the bright bosom of one kinswoman,

They leave the bright bosom of one kinswoman,

Mother and sister, who nourished them.

Mother and sister, who nourished them.

Let the man who knows noble words

Let the man who knows noble words

Say what the guest and servant are called

Say what the guest and servant are called

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Anonymous, c.950 A.D.