This translation of the first riddle for the Exeter Book is from Paull F. Baum.

 

What good man is……… so learned and so clever

that he can say who drives me……… forth on my way?

When I rise up strong……… at times furious,

I thunder mightily……… and again with havoc

I sweep over the land, ……… burn the great hall,

ravage the buildings. ……… Smoke mount on high

dark over the rooftops. ……… Clamor is everywhere,

sudden death among men. ……… When I shake the forest,

the trees proud in their fruit, ……….I fell the boles.

With my roof of water, ………. by the powers above

I am driven far and wide ……… on my avenging path.

I bear on my back ……… what once covered the forms

of the earth-dwellers, ……… their body and soul

together in the waters. ……… Say what covers me

or what I am called ……… who bear this burden.

 

Would you guess?

 

God

The sun

A storm

Neptune

A volcano