Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book/Annotated/65

Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book (1963)
translated by Paull Franklin Baum
1190292Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book1963Paull Franklin Baum

65 (k-d 52)


I saw two captives     carried in the house
under the hall-roof;     sturdy were they both;
companions they were,     fast bound together.
Close to one of them     was a dark-skinned slave.
She controlled them both     by fast fetters.


Ic seah ræpingas     In ræced fergan ·
under hrof sales     hearde twegen
þa wæron genamne     nearwum bendum
gefeterade     fæste togædre
þara oþrum wæs     an getenge
wonfah wale     seo weold hyra
bega siþe     bendum fæstra

This at least invites guessing: for example, two Buckets from a well, or perhaps Flail (the two captives being handle and swingle).