Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book/Annotated/79

79 (k-d 62)

I am hard and sharp,     strong in entering, bold in coming out,     good and true to my lord. I go in underneath     and myself open up the proper way.     The warrior is in haste who pushes me from behind     a hero with his dress. Sometimes he draws me out,     hot from the hole. Sometimes I go back     in the narrow place— I know not where.     A southern man drives me hard.     Say what my name is.

Ic eom heard on scearp     Ingonges strong · forðsiþes from     frean unforcuð wade under wambe     ⁊ me weg sylfa ryhtne geryme     rinc bið on ofeste se mec on þyð     æftanweardne hæleð mid hrægle     hwilum ut tyhð of hole hatne     hwilum eft fareð on nearo nathwær     nydeþ swiþe suþerne secg     saga hwæt ic hatte

The answer is Gimlet or Poker. “Southern” is a literal translation, meaning perhaps a skilled workman as opposed to the cruder man from northern districts; or one who works from below.