Classic Poem

Frost shall freeze; fire melt wood;
Earth give blossom; ice shall bridge
And roof the waters, wondrously lock
Earth's budding growth. One shall unbind
The fetters of frost, Almighty God.
Winter shall pass, fair weather return,
Sun-hot summer and restless sea.
Deep slow wave holds secret longest.
Holly shall be lighted; dead man's wealth
Among heirs divided. Honor is best!
King with wealth shall purchase his queen
With beakers and bracelets; both, from the first,
Shall be gracious in giving. In the lord must grow
Courage and war-might; the lady shall thrive
Beloved of her people, a keeper of counsel,
Light of heart and liberal-handed
With horses and treasure; at drinking of mead
Before the host she shall first give greeting
To the leader of warriors, to hand of her lord
First tendering cup; knowing wise counsel
To the good of both, house-owners together.
Ship shall be nailed, and buckler bound,
Linden shield light; loved one is welcome
To Frisian wife when his boat stands in.
His ship is come and her sailor home,
Her own food-winner. She welcomes him in,
Washes his garments stained by the sea,
Gives him new raiment. Sweet is the shore
To one whose longing is urged by love.
A wife should ever keep faith with her man;
But often she shames him with evil ways.
Many are steadfast, many are fickle
Wooing strange men when their lords are away.
Often the sailor is long at sea;
But one must look for the loved one's coming
Awaiting the meeting one may not speed,
Till the time shall come that he turns again home,
Alive and hale, unless ocean trammel,
Or deep sea hold him with clutching hand. . . .
Shield shall be ready, barb on shaft,
Edge on sword and point on spear!
Stout heart for hero, helm for the brave,
And ever for faint-heart scantest of hoards!