iddle 2*

Ic sceal þragbysig     þegne minum,

 

Sometimes busy, bound by rings,

 

hringum hæfted,     hyran georne,

 

I must eagerly obey my servant,

 

min bed brecan,     breahtme cyþan

 

Break my bed, clamor brightly

 

þæt me halswriþan     hlaford sealde.

 

That my lord has given me a neck-ring.

 
Oft mec slæpwerigne     secg oðþe meowle  5

Sleep-weary I wait for the grim-hearted

5

gretan eode;     ic him gromheortum

 

Greeting of a man or woman; I answer

 

winterceald oncweþe.    Wearm lim

 

Winter-cold. Sometimes a warm limb

 

gebundenne bæg    hwilum bersteð;

 

Bursts the bound ring, pleasing my dull

 

se þeah biþ on þonce     þegne minum,

 

Witted servant and myself. I sing round

 

     medwisum men,     me þæt sylfe,

10

The truth if I may in a ringing riddle.

10

þær wiht wite,     ond wordum min

     

on sped mæge     spel gesecgan.

     

solution