from The Exeter Book: Gnomic Verses

(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.