Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book/Annotated/45

45 (k-d 70)

It is a splendid thing     when one knows not its ways. It sings through its sides.     Its neck is curved. and cunningly wrought.     It has two shoulders, which are sharp, on its back.     It follows its fate, when it stands by the road,     so handsomely there, tall and bright-hued;     useful to good men.

Wiht is wrætlic     þam þe hyra wisan ne conn singeð þurh sidan     is se sweora wōh orþoncum geworht     hafaþ eaxle tua scearp on gescyldrum     his gesceapo . . . . . . þe swa wrætlice     be wege stonde heah ⁊ hleortorht     hæleþum to nytte

This is explained as a Shepherd’s Pipe. “It” (l. 5) is the pipe before it is cut. Mrs. von Erhardt-Siebold (see 50 below) places it with the Loom riddles.