Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book/Annotated/38

38 (k-d 49)

I know a something     that stands firm on the ground, deaf and dumb,     that by day often swallows from the servant’s hand     useful gifts. Sometimes in the towns     the dark thane, swarthy and dun-faced,     sends more of these into its mouth,     dearer than gold, which men of rank     often desire, kings and queens.     I will not now yet name his nature     who for use and profit of doughty men     makes what the dumb thing (that dun-faced nitwit)     first swallows up.

10

Ic wat eardfæstne     anne standan deafne dumban     se oft dæges swilgeð þurh gopes hond     gifrum lacum hwilū monþā wicum     se wonna þegn sweart ⁊ saloneb     sendeð oþre under goman him     golde dyrran þa æþelingas     oft wilniað cyningas ⁊ cwene     Ic ꝥ cyn nu gen nemnan ne wille     þe him to nytte swa ⁊ to dugþum doþ     ꝥ se dumba her eorp unwita     ær fer swilgeð

Probably Bake-oven; but Bookcase has been proposed. Perhaps both, for the sake of promoting argument.