from The Exeter Book: Gnomic Verses

written by


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(lines 71-99)
Frost shall freeze
 fire eat wood 
earth shall breed
 ice shall bridge 
water a shield wear.
 One shall break 
frost’s fetters
 free the grain 
from wonder-lock
 —One who all can.

Winter shall wane
 fair weather come again
the sun-warmed summer! 
 The sound unstill 
the deep dead wave
 is darkest longest. 
Holly shall to the pyre
 hoard be scattered 
when the body’s numb.
 Name is best.

A king shall win
 a queen with goods 
beakers, bracelets.
 Both must first
be kind with gifts.
 Courage must wax 
war-mood in the man,
 the woman grow up 
beloved among her people, 
 be light of mood
hold close a rune-word
 be roomy-hearted
at hoard-share and horse-giving.
 When the hall drinks 
she shall always and everywhere
 before any company 
greet first
 the father of aethelings 
with the first draught
 —deft to his hand she 
holds the horn—
 and when they are at home together 
know the right way
 to run their household.

The ship must be nailed
 the shield framed
from the light linden.
 But how loving the welcome 
of the Frisian wife
 when floats offshore
the keel come home again!
 She calls him within walls,

her own husband
 —hull’s at anchor!—
washes salt-stains
 from his stiff shirt 
brings out clothes
 clean and fresh
for her lord on land again.
 Love’s need is met.

© Pierre Reverdy