Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book/17

17 (K-D 6)

Christ, the commander,    the true lord of victories,
ordained me for conflict.    I burn the living,
unnumbered mortals,    over all the earth.
I afflict them with pain,    yet never I touch them,
whenever my lord    bids me to battle.
Sometimes I gladden    the minds of many;
sometimes I comfort    those I make war on,
even from afar.    They feel it, nonetheless,
the hurt and the healing,    when now and again,
over deep tribulation,    I better their fortunes.10

Above this in the manuscript stands the rune for Sun (sigel or Sol). The association of Christ and the sun is a commonplace.