This translation of the seventy-seventh riddle from the Exeter Book is from Paull F. Baum.

 

The sea fed me; ……… the water-helm was over me,

and waves covered me, ……… close to the ground

I was footless. ……… Often toward the water

I opened my mouth. ……… Now people will

eat my meat. ……… They want not my skin.

When they rip my hide ……… with the point of a knife

. . . . . . . . . . . ……… . . . . . . . . .

Then they eat me uncooked. ……… . . .

 

 

Would you guess?

 

A siren

An oyster

An orphan

A tide pool

Two dogs fighting