Old English Riddle no. 43 (trans. by Roy Liuzza)
By Unknown
Translated By Roy M. Liuzza
I know a noble guest within the gates,
whom great men love. Grim hunger
cannot harm him, nor hot thirst,
nor illness or age. If the servant
treats him well, who must go with him
on his journey, then food and joy
they will find ready for them at home–
but countless children of sorrow, if the servant
obeys his lord and master badly
on the journey. A brother ought not
fear his brother that harms them both,
when they both spring from the same bosom
of one kinswoman, keen and bright,
mother and sister. Let the man who wishes
reveal with noble words how the guest
and servant I speak of here are called.
Copyright Credit: Roy Liuzza, "Old English Riddles no. 43" from Old English Poetry: An Anthology. Copyright © 2014 by Roy Liuzza. Reprinted by permission of Broadview Press.
Source: Old English Poetry: An Anthology (Broadview Press, 2014)