From “Old English Rune Poem”

i (feoh)

Wealth is a comfort                    to every man

yet every man                              must divide it mightily

If   he wishes to have                   the measurer’s mercy

ii (ur)

The ox is steady-hearted             and over-horned

A fierce and famous beast                      it fights with horns

Glorious moor-stepper                that is a noble creature

 v (rad)

Riding is mild for warriors                    at their hearthsides

and strong-bold                             for he mounted on the back

of a mighty horse                          over a distance measured in miles

vii (gyfu)

A gift is the grace                           and praise of men

and warmth and worthship                    to all exiles

sustenance for him                       who is stripped of all else

viii (wyn)

Joy is won                            by whoever knows little of woe

sourness or sorrow                        and who has for himself

breath and bliss                              and fullness and a fortified place

x (nyd)

Need is bound in the breast         yet nonetheless becomes for the

      sons of men

a help and healing both                 if   they heed in time

xv (eolxh)

Elk-sedge is found                          most often in a fen

it waxes in water                             and wounds severely

burns in the blood                          of each man’s body

who with his hand                          takes hold of it

xx (man)

Man in mirth                  is dear to his kin

yet must every one                         betray the other

for that reason                the Lord dooms

wretched flesh                                 be taken by the earth