Norwegian Poem
fé vældr frænda róge; fóðesk
ulfr í skóge
wealth causes relative
arguments; dwells wolf in forest
úr er af illu jarne; opt loypr ræinn á hjarne
drizzle is of ill iron; oft leep
reindeer on[to] hard-snow
þurs vældr kvenna kvillu;
kátr værðr fár af illu
giant causes women ailments;
luck[cat] guards few of ill
oss er flestra færða for, en skalpr er sværða
mouth is most going journey,
but scabbard is swords
ræið kvæða rossom væsta;
reginn sló sværðet bæzta
ride is said the horses worse;
Reginn beat the sword best
kaun er barna bolvan; bol gorver nán folvan
ulcer is barn curse; calamity
makes a fellow pale
hagall er kaldastr korna;
Kristr skóp hæimenn forna
hail is coldest corn; Christ
shaped the home ancient
nauðr gerer næppa koste; noktan kælr í
froste need does little choice; the
naked freeze in frost
ís kollum brú bræiða;
blindan þarf at læiða
ice call bridge spread-out;
the blind need to (be) lead
ár er gumna góðe; get ek at
orr var Fróðe
year is to men good; may I
eat liberal goods (of) Fróðe
sól er landa ljóme; lúti ek
helgum dóme
sun is land gleam; bow I to
goddesses judgement
týr er æinendr ása; opt
værðr smiðr at blása
týr is one-handed god; oft
worthy smith will blow
bjarkan er laufgrónstr líma;
Loki bar flærða tíma
birch is leaf-greenest limb;
Loki bear flesh unwilling
maðr er moldar auki; mikil er græip á hauki
man is mould increase; great
is grasp of mound
logr er, er fællr ór fjalle
foss; en gull ero nosser
water that, which fell from
mountain force; but gold is costly
ýr er vetrgrónstr víða;
vant er, er brennr, at svíða
yew is winter-greenest wood;
promising that, when fire, it singes/ burns
Icelandic
Poem
fé er frænda róge ok flæð
ar viti ok grafseiðs gata
wealth is relative argument and
flood of fire and grave-fish street
úr er skyja grátr ok skara
þverrir ok hirðis hatr
drizzle is cloud weep and rake
diminish and herders hate
þurs er kvenna kvöl ok kletta
búi ok varðrúnar verr
giant is women torture and
rock/ cliff dweller and Varðrúns worse/ ill
ass er aldingautr ok ásgarðs
jöfurr ok valhallar vísi
god is old-bearer and
Ásgarðs king and Valhallas king/ lord
reið er sitjandi sæla ok
snúðig ferð ok jórs erfiði
ride is sitting happy/
blessed and speedy journey and horse difficult
kaun er barna böl ok bardaga
för ok holdfúa hús
ulcer is barn calamity, and
battle boat and concealed-few house
hagall er kaldakorn ok
krapadrifa ok snáka sótt
hail is cold-corn and
narrow-drive and snake sickness
nauð er þyjar þrá ok þungr kostr ok
vássamlig verk
need is be silent stubborn/ frequently and
heavy cost and hard work
ís er árbörkr ok unnar þak
ok feigra manna fár
ice is river-bark and wave
roof and fey mans journey
ár er gumna góði ok gott
sumar ok algróinn akr
year is to men good and good
summer and all-growing field
sól er skyja skjöldr ok
skínandi röðull ok ísa aldrtregi
sun is cloud shield and
shining-spirit order-all and ice age-grief
týr er inheindr áss ok úlfs leifar ok hofa
hilmir
týr is one-handed god and wolfs leftovers
and king (of) temples
bjarkan er laufgat lim ok lítrit tré ok ungsamligr
viðr
birch is leaf-beget limb and
little tree/ wood and young-somely wood
maðr er manns gaman ok moldar
auki ok skipa skreytir
man is mans fun and mould
increase and ships vestments
lögr er vellanda vatn ok viðr
ketill ok glömmunga grund
lake is well (spirit) water
and wide cauldron and gleaming field
ýr er bendr bogi ok brotgjarnt járn ok
fífu fárbauti
yew is bent bow and break-eager iron and
arrow Fárbauti
Anglo-Saxon Poem
feoh byþ frofur, fira gehwylcum, sceal ðeah manna gehwylc, miclun hýt
dælan, gif he wile, for drihtne domes hleotan.
wealth is
comfort, to every man, shall however every man, greatly it divide, if he will,
before Lord laws alot. ( or, dooms [his] lot )
þorn byþ ðearle scearp, ðegna
gehwylcum, anfen gys yfyl, ungemetum reþe, manna gehwylcum, ðe him mid resteð.
thorn is terribly sharp to
every thegn, receive is evil, immensely violent to every man who him along with
resteth.
os byþ ordfruma, ælcre
spræce, wisdomes wraþu, and witena frofur, and eorla gehwam, eadnys and to
hiht.
mouth is point-beginning every
speech, wisdoms advice/cruel, and wise-mans comfort and to each Earl happiness
and hope.
rad byþ onrecyde, rinca
gehwylcum, sefte and swiþhwæt, ðam ðe sitteþ on-ufan, meare mægen heardum, ofer
mil paþas.
ride Expedition is in hall to
every warrior soft, but strong-wheat he who sitteth on above horse, mighty hard
over mile paths.
cen byþ cwicera gehwam cuþ
on fyre blac and beorhtlic byrneþ oftust ðær hi æþelingas inne restaþ. torch is to each living, known
on fire, pale and bright-body, burneth often where they athelings resteth
inside.
gyfu gumena byþ gleng and
herenýs, wraþu and wyrþscype and wræcna gewam ar and ætwist ðe byþ oþra leas.
gift to men is adorn and
praise, advice and worth-creator and to each wretch, honour and food-feast who
is other lacking.
wen ne bruceþ ðe can weana
lyt sares and (s?)forge and him sylfa hæfþ blæd and blysse and eac byrga
geniht.
joy not enjoyeth who knows
woe, little sadness and sorrow but [if] himself haveth, blood and bliss and eke
surety of abundance.
hægl byþ hwitust corna,
hwyrft hit of heofones lyfte, wealcaþ hit windes scura, weorþeþ hit to wætere
syððan.
hail is whitest corn, turned
it, from heavens lift, rolleth it winds shower, becometh it to water
afterwards.
nyd byþ nearu on breostan
weorþeþ hi ðeah oft niþa bearnum to helpe and to hæle ge hwæþre gif hi his
hlystaþ æror.
need is narrow in breast,
becometh they however, often [to] men children to help and to heal you
nevertheless, if they it (i.e. you) list (i.e. heed?) formerly.
is byþ ofer cealdunge metum
slidor glisnaþ glæs hluttur gimmum gelicust, flor forste ge woruht fæger
ansyne.
1) ice is over (cold, immensely) slippery,
glistens glass pure, like gems. Floor frost you wrought fair in-sight.
2) ice is over (ship-hill, measurably)
slippery, glistens glass pure, like gems. Floor frost you wrought fair
in-sight.
ger byþ gumena hiht ðon god
læteþ halig heofones cyning hrusan syllan beorhte bleda beornum and ðearfum.
year is mens hope whence god
leteth, holy heavens king, earth give bright fruit [to] warriors and poor-men.
eoh byþ utan unsmeþe treow,
heard hrusan fæst hyrde fyres, wyrtrumun underwreþyð wynan on eþel. yew is from outside unsmooth
tree, hard earth fast guardian men, roots under-wryth, joy on homeland.
peorð byþ symble plega, and
hlehter wlancum ðar wigan sittaþ on beor sele bliþe æt somne.
peord is always play and laughter, proud
there, warriors sit in beer hall blithe together.
eohlx seccard hæfþ oftust on
fenne, wexeð on wature, wundaþ grimme, blode breneð, beorna gehwylcne ðe him
ænigne onfeng gedeð.
elk-sedge
have often in fen, wax’s in water, wounds
cruelly, blood burns each warrior/man, that him any receive of it.
sigel se-mannum symble biþ on
hihde ðonn hi hine feriaþ ofer fisces beþ oþ hibrim hengest bringeþ to lande.
sun seamen always are in
hope when she ferries over fishes bath until the sea horse bring to land.
tir biþ tacna
týr is token of one [who]
holds pledge well with athlings, ever is on journey over night mist, never
faileth.
beorc byþ bleda leas, bereþ
efne swa ðeah tanas butan tudder, biþ on telgum wlitig, þeah on helme hrysted
fægere, geloden leafum lyfte getenge.
birch is fruit lacking,
beareth even so however twigs without progeny, is on branches beautiful, yet on
helm ornamented fairer, laiden leaves air resting on.
eh byþ for eorlum æþelinga
wyn, hors hofum wlanc, ðær him hæleþe ymb, welege on wicgum wrixlaþ spræce, and
byþ unstyllum æfre frofur.
horse is for earls, prince’s
battle horse, hooves proud where him hero about, wealthy on, horses exchangeth
speech and are unstill, ever comfort.
man byþ on myrgþe his magan
leof, sceal þeah anra gehwylc odrum swican, for ðam dryhten wyle dome sine þæt
earme flæsce eorþan betæcan.
man is in mirth his kinsman
dear, shall however each one [of us], others cease from, before (ie in front
of) that Lord will doom himself/herself that poor flesh, earth entrust.
lagu is leodum langsum gehuht
gif hi sculun neþun on nacan tealtum, and hi sæ yþa swyþe bregaþ, and se brim
hengest bridles ne gym.
water is [to] men long-lasting
thought, if they shall venture on boat, tottering, and the[y] sea waves
strongly breaketh and the sea horse, bridle not heed.
ing wæs ærest mid east
denum, ge sewen secgun, oþ he siððan est, ofer wæg gewat wæn æfter ran, ðus
heardingas ðune hæle nemdun.
ing was fisrt mid east
Danes, seen, say (ie they say), until he afterwards east over wave departed, wain
after ran. Thus Heardings the hero named.
dæg byþ drihtenes sond,
deore mannum, mære metodes leoht, myrgþ and to hiht eadgum and earmum, eallum
brice.
day is Lord sent, precious
[to] men, glorious gods light, [is] mirth and hope to happy and wretched, all
enjoy.
eþel byþ ofer leof, æghwylcum
men, gif he mot ðær, rihter and gerysena on brucan on blode bleadum oftast.
homeland is very dear to every
Human, if he be allowed there - with right and reason in use - in blood
prosperities often.
ac byþ on eorþan, elda
oak...
æsc byþ ofer heah, eldum
dyre, stiþ on staþule, stede rihte hylt, ðeah him feohtan on firas monige.
ash...
ýr byþ æþelinga and eorla
gehwæs, wyn and wyrþmynd, byþ on wicge fæger, fæstlic on færelde, fyrd geatewa
sum.
yr...
ior byþ ea fixa, and ðeah
abruceþ, fodres onfaldan, hafaþ fægerne eard, wætre beworpen, ðær he wynnum
leosaþ.
ior is
river fish and yet, ever-enjoyeth food on earth, haveth fair land, water thrown
there he beautifully liveth.
ear byþ egle eorla
gehwylcun, ðorn fæstlice flasc onginneþ, hrawcolian hresan ceosan blac to
gebeddan bleða gedreosaþ, wynna gewitaþ wora geswicaþ.
grave is fear [to] every earl,
when stoutly [the] flesh begins, [the] corpse, [to] grow cold, earth choose
[the] pale for bed-fellow, prosperities fall, strife [is] reason men
fail/deceive.
Abecedarium Nordmanicum
F (feu) forman F (cattle) first
U (ur
Z (thuris) thritten stabu Z (giant) third
stave
A (áss) is themo oboro A (god) is them
above
R (rat) endos uuritan R (riding) end
written
K (chaon) thanne cliuot K (ulcer) then
clouts
H (hagal) N (naut) habet H (hail) N (need)
has
I (ís) J (ár) S (sol) endi I (ice) J
(year) S (sun) and
T (tiu) B (brica) M (man) endi midi T
(Týr) B (birch) M (man) and middle
L (lago) the leohto L (lake) the light
Y (ýr) al bihabet Y (yew) all holds
The Icelandic Rune Poem
(in Modern English)
Wealth
source of discord among kinsmen
and fire of the sea
and path of the serpent.
and fire of the sea
and path of the serpent.
Shower
lamentation of the clouds
and ruin of the hay-harvest
and abomination of the shepherd.
and ruin of the hay-harvest
and abomination of the shepherd.
Giant
torture of women
and cliff-dweller
and husband of a giantess.
and cliff-dweller
and husband of a giantess.
God
aged Gautr
and prince of Ásgarðr
and lord of Vallhalla.
and prince of Ásgarðr
and lord of Vallhalla.
Riding
joy of the horsemen
and speedy journey
and toil of the steed.
and speedy journey
and toil of the steed.
Ulcer
disease fatal to children
and painful spot
and abode of mortification.
and painful spot
and abode of mortification.
Hail
cold grain
and shower of sleet
and sickness of serpents.
and shower of sleet
and sickness of serpents.
Constraint
grief of the bond-maid
and state of oppression
and toilsome work.
and state of oppression
and toilsome work.
Ice
bark of rivers
and roof of the wave
and destruction of the doomed.
and roof of the wave
and destruction of the doomed.
Plenty
boon to men
and good summer
and thriving crops.
and good summer
and thriving crops.
Sun
shield of the clouds
and shining ray
and destroyer of ice.
and shining ray
and destroyer of ice.
Týr
god with one hand
and leavings of the wolf
and prince of temples.
and leavings of the wolf
and prince of temples.
Birch
leafy twig
and little tree
and fresh young shrub.
and little tree
and fresh young shrub.
Man
delight of man
and augmentation of the earth
and adorner of ships.
and augmentation of the earth
and adorner of ships.
Water
eddying stream
and broad geysir
and land of the fish.
and broad geysir
and land of the fish.
Yew
bent bow
and brittle iron
and giant of the arrow.
and brittle iron
and giant of the arrow.
The Norwegian Rune Poem
In Modern English
1. Wealth is a source of discord among kinsmen;
the wolf lives in the forest.
the wolf lives in the forest.
2. Dross comes from bad iron;
the reindeer often races over the frozen snow.
the reindeer often races over the frozen snow.
3. Giant causes anguish to women;
misfortune makes few men cheerful.
misfortune makes few men cheerful.
4. Estuary is the way of most journeys;
but a scabbard is of swords.
but a scabbard is of swords.
5. Riding is said to be the worst thing for horses;
Reginn forged the finest sword.
Reginn forged the finest sword.
6. Ulcer is fatal to children;
death makes a corpse pale.
death makes a corpse pale.
7. Hail is the coldest of grain;
Christ created the world of old.
Christ created the world of old.
8. Constraint gives scant choice;
a naked man is chilled by the frost.
a naked man is chilled by the frost.
9. Ice we call the broad bridge;
the blind man must be led.
the blind man must be led.
10. Plenty is a boon to men;
I say that Frothi was generous.
I say that Frothi was generous.
11. Sun is the light of the world;
I bow to the divine decree.
I bow to the divine decree.
12. Tyr is a one-handed god;
often has the smith to blow.
often has the smith to blow.
13. Birch has the greenest leaves of any shrub;
Loki was fortunate in his deceit.
Loki was fortunate in his deceit.
14. Man is an augmentation of the dust;
great is the claw of the hawk.
great is the claw of the hawk.
15. A waterfall is a River which falls from a
mountain-side;
but ornaments are of gold.
but ornaments are of gold.
16. Yew is the greenest of trees in winter;
it is wont to crackle when it burns.
it is wont to crackle when it burns.
The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem
(in Modern English)
Wealth is a comfort to all men;
yet must every man bestow it freely,
if he wish to gain honour in the sight of the Lord.
if he wish to gain honour in the sight of the Lord.
The aurochs is proud and has great horns;
it is a very savage beast and fights with its horns;
a great ranger of the moors, it is a creature of mettle.
a great ranger of the moors, it is a creature of mettle.
The thorn is exceedingly sharp,
an evil thing for any knight to touch,
uncommonly severe on all who sit among them.
uncommonly severe on all who sit among them.
The mouth is the source of all language,
a pillar of wisdom and a comfort to wise men,
a blessing and a joy to every knight.
a blessing and a joy to every knight.
Riding seems easy to every warrior while he is indoors
and very courageous to him who traverses the high-roads
on the back of a stout horse.
on the back of a stout horse.
The torch is known to every living man by its pale, bright flame;
it always burns where princes sit within.
Generosity brings credit and honour, which support one's dignity;
it furnishes help and subsistence
to all broken men who are devoid of aught else.
to all broken men who are devoid of aught else.
Bliss he enjoys who knows not suffering, sorrow nor anxiety,
and has prosperity and happiness and a good enough house.
Hail is the whitest of grain;
it is whirled from the vault of heaven
and is tossed about by gusts of wind
and then it melts into water.
and is tossed about by gusts of wind
and then it melts into water.
Trouble is oppressive to the heart;
yet often it proves a source of help and salvation
to the children of men, to everyone who heeds it betimes.
to the children of men, to everyone who heeds it betimes.
Ice is very cold and immeasurably slippery;
it glistens as clear as glass and most like to gems;
it is a floor wrought by the frost, fair to look upon.
it is a floor wrought by the frost, fair to look upon.
Summer is a joy to men, when God, the holy King of Heaven,
suffers the earth to bring forth shining fruits
for rich and poor alike.
for rich and poor alike.
The yew is a tree with rough bark,
hard and fast in the earth, supported by its roots,
a guardian of flame and a joy upon an estate.
a guardian of flame and a joy upon an estate.
Peorth is a source of recreation and
amusement to the great,
where warriors sit blithely together in the banqueting-hall.
The Eolh-sedge is mostly to be
found in a marsh;
it grows in the water and makes a ghastly wound,
covering with blood every warrior who touches it.
covering with blood every warrior who touches it.
The sun is ever a joy in the hopes of seafarers
when they journey away over the fishes' bath,
until the courser of the deep bears them to land.
until the courser of the deep bears them to land.
Tiw is a guiding star; well does it keep faith with princes;
it is ever on its course over the mists of night and never fails.
The poplar bears no fruit; yet without seed it brings forth suckers,
for it is generated from its leaves.
Splendid are its branches and gloriously adorned
its lofty crown which reaches to the skies.
Splendid are its branches and gloriously adorned
its lofty crown which reaches to the skies.
The horse is a joy to princes in the presence of warriors.
A steed in the pride of its hoofs,
when rich men on horseback bandy words about it;
and it is ever a source of comfort to the restless.
when rich men on horseback bandy words about it;
and it is ever a source of comfort to the restless.
The joyous man is dear to his kinsmen;
yet every man is doomed to fail his fellow,
since the Lord by his decree will commit the vile carrion to the earth.
since the Lord by his decree will commit the vile carrion to the earth.
The ocean seems interminable to men,
if they venture on the rolling bark
and the waves of the sea terrify them
and the courser of the deep heed not its bridle.
and the waves of the sea terrify them
and the courser of the deep heed not its bridle.
Ing was first seen by men among the East-Danes,
till, followed by his chariot,
he departed eastwards over the waves.
So the Heardingas named the hero.
he departed eastwards over the waves.
So the Heardingas named the hero.
An estate is very dear to every man,
if he can enjoy there in his house
whatever is right and proper in constant prosperity.
whatever is right and proper in constant prosperity.
Day, the glorious light of the Creator, is sent by the Lord;
it is beloved of men, a source of hope and happiness to rich and poor,
and of service to all.
and of service to all.
The oak fattens the flesh of pigs for the children of men.
Often it traverses the gannet's bath,
and the ocean proves whether the oak keeps faith
in honourable fashion.
and the ocean proves whether the oak keeps faith
in honourable fashion.
The ash is exceedingly high and precious to men.
With its sturdy trunk it offers a stubborn resistance,
though attacked by many a man.
though attacked by many a man.
Yr is a source of joy and honour to
every prince and knight;
it looks well on a horse and is a reliable equipment for a journey.
Iar is a river fish and yet it always
feeds on land;
it has a fair abode encompassed by water, where it lives in happiness.
The grave is horrible to every knight,
when the corpse quickly begins to cool
and is laid in the bosom of the dark earth.
Prosperity declines, happiness passes away
and covenants are broken
and is laid in the bosom of the dark earth.
Prosperity declines, happiness passes away
and covenants are broken
The Song of Spells (Edda)
145.
Those songs I know, which nor sons of men
nor queen in a king's court knows;
the first is Help which will bring thee help
in all woes and in sorrow and strife.
146.
A second I know, which the son of men
must sing, who would heal the sick.
147.
A third I know: if sore need should come
of a spell to stay my foes;
when I sing that song, which shall blunt their swords,
nor their weapons nor staves can wound.
148.
A fourth I know: if men make fast
in chains the joints of my limbs,
when I sing that song which shall set me free,
spring the fetters from hands and feet.
149.
A fifth I know: when I see, by foes shot,
speeding a shaft through the host,
flies it never so strongly I still can stay it,
if I get but a glimpse of its flight.
150.
A sixth I know: when some thane would harm me
in runes on a moist tree's root,
on his head alone shall light the ills
of the curse that he called upon mine.
151.
A seventh I know: if I see a hall
high o'er the bench-mates blazing,
flame it ne'er so fiercely I still can save it, --
I know how to sing that song.
152.
An eighth I know: which all can sing
for their weal if they learn it well;
where hate shall wax 'mid the warrior sons,
I can calm it soon with that song.
153.
A ninth I know: when need befalls me
to save my vessel afloat,
I hush the wind on the stormy wave,
and soothe all the sea to rest.
154.
A tenth I know: when at night the witches
ride and sport in the air,
such spells I weave that they wander home
out of skins and wits bewildered.
155.
An eleventh I know: if haply I lead
my old comrades out to war,
I sing 'neath the shields, and they fare forth mightily
safe into battle,
safe out of battle,
and safe return from the strife.
156.
A twelfth I know: if I see in a tree
a corpse from a halter hanging,
such spells I write, and paint in runes,
that the being descends and speaks.
157.
A thirteenth I know: if the new-born son
of a warrior I sprinkle with water,
that youth will not fail when he fares to war,
never slain show he bow before sword.
158.
A fourteenth I know: if I needs must number
the Powers to the people of men,
I know all the nature of gods and of elves
which none can know untaught.
159.
A fifteenth I know, which Folk-stirrer sang,
the dwarf, at the gates of Dawn;
he sang strength to the gods, and skill to the elves,
and wisdom to Odin who utters.
160.
A sixteenth I know: when all sweetness and love
I would win from some artful wench,
her heart I turn, and the whole mind change
of that fair-armed lady I love.
161.
A seventeenth I know: so that e'en the shy maiden
is slow to shun my love.
162.
These songs, Stray-Singer, which man's son knows not,
long shalt thou lack in life,
though thy weal if thou win'st them, thy boon if thou obey'st them
thy good if haply thou gain'st them.
163.
An eighteenth I know: which I ne'er shall tell
to maiden or wife of man
save alone to my sister, or haply to her
who folds me fast in her arms;
most safe are secrets known to but one-
the songs are sung to an end.
164.
Now the sayings of the High One are uttered in the hall
for the weal of men, for the woe of Jötuns,
Hail, thou who hast spoken! Hail, thou that knowest!
Hail, ye that have hearkened! Use, thou who hast learned!
