The Earliest English Poems by Various

Author:Various [Various]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Poetry, Classics
ISBN: 9780140445947
Publisher: Penguin Group USA, Inc.
Published: 1992-01-07T06:00:00+00:00

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.

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