THREE ANGLO-SAXON RIDDLES:

I was alive but said nothing;     even so I die.

Back I came before I was.     Everyone plunders me,
keeps me confined,     and shears my head,
bites my bare body,     breaks my sprouts.
No man I bite     unless he bites me;
many there are     who do bite me.

onion

I war oft against wave     and fight against wind,

do battle with both,     when I reach to the ground,
covered by the waters.     The land is strange to me.
I am strong in the strife     if I stay at rest.
If I fail at that,     they are stronger than I
and forthwith they wrench me     and put me to rout.
They would carry away     what I ought to defend.
I withstand them then     if my tail endures
and the stones hold me fast.     Ask what my name is

anchor

I am a lonely thing,     wounded with iron,

switten by sword,     sated with battle-work,
weary of blades.     Often I see battle,
fierce combat.     I foresee no comfort,
no help will come for me     from the heat of battle,
until among men     I perish utterly;
but the hammered swords     will beat me and bite me,
hard-edged and sharp,     the handiwork of smiths,
in towns among men.     Abide I must always
the meeting of foes.     Never could I find
among the leeches,     where people foregather,
any who with herbs     would heal my wounds;
but the sores from the swords     are always greater
with mortal blows     day and night.
shield