Arthur Edward Drummond Bliss, Sir: A knot of riddles (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


My abode's not silent, but I am not loud-mouthed.
The Lord Almighty laid down laws
For both of us together. I am swifter than him who harbours me
And sometimes stronger too, he must strive more potently.
At times I just relax, while he must needs run onward.
But I live in him all the days of my life:
If we're ever divided, my destiny is death.
And the answer: Fish in River.

Input by Ted Perry

2. Swallows

Language: English

Authorship

Kevin John William Crossley-Holland (1941-)

The Exeter Book


 This wind wafts little creatures
 High over the hill slopes. They are very
 Swarthy, clad in coats of black.
 They travel here and there in hordes together,
 And sing out loudly, liberal with their songs.
 Their haunts are wooded cliffs, yet they sometimes
 Come to the houses of men. Name them yourselves.
 [The Answer:] Swallows.

Input by Ted Perry

3. An oyster

Language: English

Authorship

Kevin John William Crossley-Holland (1941-)

The Exeter Book


The deep sea suckled me, the waves sounded over me;
Rollers were my coverlet as I rested on my bed.
I have no feet, and frequently open my mouth
To the flood. Sooner or later some man will
Consume me, who cares nothing for my shell.
With the point of his knife he will pierce me through,
Ripping the skin away from my side, and straight away
Eat me uncooked as I am . . .
The answer: An Oyster.

Input by Ted Perry

4. A weather cock

Language: English

Authorship

Kevin John William Crossley-Holland (1941-)

The Exeter Book


My breast is puffed up and my neck extended;
I've a fine head and a high waving tail;
Ears and eyes too, but only one foot;
A long neck, a strong beak, a back and
Two sides, and a rod right through my middle.
My home is high above men. When he who moves
The forest molests me, I suffer a great deal of misery.
Scourged by the rainlash, I stand alone;
I'm bruised by heavy batteries of hail,
Hoar frost attacks and snow half hides me.
I must endure all this, not pour out my misery.
The answer is: A Weathercock.

Input by Ted Perry

5. A bookworm

Subtitle: Hommage modeste à Maurice Ravel

Language: English

Authorship

Kevin John William Crossley-Holland (1941-)

The Exeter Book


A moth devoured words. When I heard of that wonder
It struck me as a strange event
That a worm should swallow the song of some man.
A thief gorge in the darkness on a great man's
Speech of distinction. But the thievish stranger
Was not a whit the wiser for swallowing words.
And the answer: A Bookworm.

Input by Ted Perry

6. A cross of wood

Language: English

Authorship

Kevin John William Crossley-Holland (1941-)

The Exeter Book


I am supple of body and sport with the wind.
I am clothed in finery, and the storm's great friend.
Ready to travel, but troubled by fire,
A glade in full bloom, and a burning flame,
Friends often pass me from hand to hand.
And I am kissed by ladies and courteous men,
But when I rise up, with reverence
Proud men shall bow to me; I bring
Man's happiness to full maturity.
And do tell me what I am.
[The Answer:] A Cross of wood.

Input by Ted Perry

7. Sun and moon

Language: English

Authorship

Kevin John William Crossley-Holland (1941-)

The Exeter Book


I saw a strange creature,
A bright ship of the air beautifully adorned,
Bearing away plunder beneath her horns,
Fetching it home from foray.
She was minded to build a bower in her stronghold,
And construct it with cunning if she could do so.
But then a mighty creature appeared over the mountain
Whose face is familiar to all dwellers on earth;
He seized on his treasure and sent home the wanderer
Much against her will; she went westward
Harbouring hostility, hastening forth.
Dust lifted to heaven, dew fell on the earth,
Night fled hence; and no man knew
Thereafter where the strange creature had gone.
And the answer: Sun and Moon.

Input by Ted Perry