Re: Saxon riddle

["Heather Swann" <swann@intercon.com>]

> I'm tempted to say a sword, but I suspect I'm wrong. So instead I'll 
> offer a riddle back to Alfredo, written both in Anglo-Saxon and in 
> English. I hope the letters ? (thorn), ð (eth) and æ (ash) come out 
> on your readers. 
>  
> Wiht cwom gongan   ?ær weras sæton 
> monige on mæðle,   mode snottre. 
> Hæfde an eage      ond earan twa, 
> ond twegen fet,    twelf hund heafda, 
> hrycg ond wombe    ond honda twa, 
> earmas ond eaxle,  anne sweoran 
> ond sidan twa.     Saga hwæt ic hatte. 
>  
> A creature came advancing  where men sat 
> many in council            in mind wise 
> (it) had one eye           and ears two 
> and two feet               twelve hundred heads back and 
> belly             and hands two 
> arms and shoulders         one neck 
> and sides two              Say what I am called. 
>  
> In service, 
> Corun 
>  
After puzzling some time over this, the only feeble answer I can come up with is -a cask or barrel of mead or beer?  'Twas the only thing I could think of that might have 1200 heads (when poured out in mugs).  I started to say a cauldron full of stew, but that didn't seem to fit precisely either...  Pray, enlighten us!  ;-)

Miriam R.


Miriam Rachael bat Mordecai
The non-pregnant Miriam
akaThe Intriguing Miriam
Isenfiri-In-Exile
email:swann@intercon.com         

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