Unknown (Riddle Genius) - Riddles From The Book Of Exeter "51-60" lyrics

51. I watched four curious creatures traveling together; their tracks were swart, each imprint very black. The birds' support moved swiftly; it flew in the air, dived under the wave. The toiling warrior worked without pause, pointing the paths to all four over the beaten gold. 52. I saw a couple of violent captives carried in under the roof of the hall; they were companions, tightly bound, fettered together. Close to one stood a dark-haired Welshwoman, a slave to oversee the prisoners' movements. 53. I saw a tree with splendid branches, towering in the wood; the timber grew, a joyous growth. Both water and earth fed him well, but when he grew old his whole life became a misery; sorely wounded, and silent in his chains, his front was fettered with somber trappings. Now with brute force his bu*ting-head opens up the way for his owner, a vile enemy. Often in the storm have they plundered the treasure hoard together. The man was swift and tireless if the first, his comrade, was cornered and in danger. 54. A young man made for the corner where he knew she was standing; this stripping youth had whipped up her dress, and under her girdle (as she stood there) thrust something stiff, worked his will; they both shook. This fellow quickened: one moment he was forceful, a first-rate servant, so strenuous that the next he was knocked up, quite blown by his exertion. Beneath the girdle a thing began to grow that upstanding men often think of, tenderly, and acquire. 55. I saw in the hall (where visitors were drinking) a wondrous tree, of four timbers, brought on to the floor; it was adorned with twisted gold, plated with silver, inlaid with j**els most sk**fully, a symbol of His cross who for us established a ladder between Heaven and Earth before He harrowed Hell. I can easily tell you of this tree's origin: the hard yew and shining holly, the maple and the oak serve their Lord together and together share one name - an outlaw's tree it was that frequently offered a weapons to its lord, a treasure in the hall, the gold=hilted sword. Now tell me the answer to this riddle, whoever will hazard a guess as to what this tree is called. 56. I was in a room where I watched a piece of wood, a shuttling beam, scathe a struggling creature; It sustained battle-wounds, savage gashes. Spears were the bane of this creature, and with sk** the beam had been fixed securely. One of its feet stood firm, and the other strived busily, pumped up and down, scraped the ground. A tree stood nearby hung their work, I saw the leavings brought before my lord, carried across the floor where warriors caroused. 57. This air bears little creatures high over the hill-slopes. Black! they are black, dressed in dark clothing. They travel in flocks, singing loudly, liberal with their songs. Their haunts are wooded cliffs, yet they sometimes come to the houses of men. They name themselves. 58. I know a creature in the field with one foot and derring-do, It does not range widely or ride very far, nor can it fly through the bright air, or embark on some ship with nailed sides; nonetheless it obliges its master on many occasions. It has a heavy tail and a little head, a long tongue but not one tooth; part of it is iron; it pa**es through a hole in the earth. It eats nothing, drinks no water, frets for no fodder, and yet often carries liquid aloft. It boasts neither life nor gifts from a lord, but still obeys its owner. Three fitting runes from its name: Rad is the first. 59. I watched men, wise in their minds, and in their hearts serene, gaze at a golden ring in the hall. God the savior has prayed for peace abounding for each guest who turns the ring; then that ring spoke a word to the family, it named the guardian of men who do good. Dumb as it was, it clearly raised the image of the Maker before the minds and eyes of anyone able to understand the meaning of the gold and the wounds of the Lord, and do as the wounds of the ring ordained. If a man is unbaptised, neither his prayer nor his spirit can enter the kingdom of God, the castle of heaven. Let him who will explain how the wounds of the wonderous ring spoke to men when it was turned in the hall and pa**ed through proud retainers' hands. 60. I sank roots first of all, stood near the shore, close by the dyke and dash of waves; few men saw my home in the wilderness, but each dawn, each dusk, the tawny waves surged and swirled around me. Little did I think that I, mouth less, should ever sing to men sitting at the mead-bench, varying my pitch. It is rather puzzling, a miracle to men ignorant of such arts, how a knife's point and a right hand (mind and implement moving as one) could cut and carve me - so that I can send you a message without fear, and no one else can overhear or noise abroad the words we share.