Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book/Annotated/8

8 (k-d 50)

A warrior is wondrously     brought into the world for the use of lords     by two dumb things; brightly extracted,     which for his hurt foe bears against foe.     Strong though he is a woman binds him.     He obeys them well, serves them quietly,     if maids and men tend him duly,     feed him fairly. He exalts them in comfort     for their joy in life, grimly rewards one     who lets him grow proud.

10

Wiga is on eorþan     wundrum acenned dryhtum to nytte     of dumbum twam torht atyhted     þone on teon wigeð feond his feonde     fer strangne oft wif hine wrið     he him wel hereð þeowaþ him geþwære     gif him þegniað mægeð ⁊ mæcgas     mid gemete ryhte · fedað hine fægre     he him fremum stepeð life on lissum     leanað grimme þe hine wloncne     weorþan læteð

Probably Fire, the two dumb things (l. 2) being flint and steel.