Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book/Annotated/47

47 (k-d 53)

I saw a tree     with bright branches stand high in a grove.     The tree was happy, the growing wood.     Water and earth fed it well,     till wise with time it met with a change:     it was deeply hurt, dumb with bonds,     covered with wounds, but adorned in front     with dark ornaments. Now it clears the way     for a treacherous foe through the might of its head.     By storm they plunder the hoard together.     Eager was the rear and active in aid     if the van met danger. None could venture     in difficult places.

10

Ic seah on bearwe     beam hlifian tanum torhtne     þæt treow wæs on wynne wudu weaxende     wæter hine ⁊ eorþe feddan fægre     oþþæt he frod dagum on oþrum wearð     aglachade deope gedolgod     dumb In bendum wriþen ofer wunda     wonnum hyrstum foran gefrætwed     Nu he fæcnum wæg þurh his heafdes mæg     hildegieste oþrū rymeð     oft hy an yst strudon hord ætgædre;     hræd wæs ⁊ unlæt se æftera     gif se ærra fǣr · genamnan in nearowe     neþan moste.

The solution is supposed to be a Tree, cut down, and made into a Battering-ram. The last lines are corrupt, the meter defective. Various emendations have been offered.