The old Norse Rune Poem

From Runic and Heroic Poems by Bruce Dickins

Fe
Wealth is a source of discord among kinsmen;
the wolf lives in the forest.

Ur
Dross comes from bad iron;
the reindeer often races over the frozen snow.

Thurs
Giant causes anguish to women;
misfortune makes few men cheerful.

 As
Estuary is the way of most journeys;
but a scabbard is of swords.

Reidh
Riding is said to be the worst thing for horses;
Reginn forged the finest sword.

Kaun
Ulcer is fatal to children;
death makes a corpse pale.

Hagall
Hail is the coldest of grain;
Christ created the world of old.

Naudhr
Constraint gives scant choice;
a naked man is chilled by the frost.

Isa
Ice we call the broad bridge;
the blind man must be led.

Ar
Plenty is a boon to men;
I say that Frodi was generous.

Sol
Sun is the light of the world;
I bow to the divine decree.

Tyr
Tyr is a one-handed god;
often has the smith to blow.

Bjarkan
Birch has the greenest leaves of any shrub;
Loki was fortunate in his deceit.

Madhr
Man is an augmentation of the dust;
great is the claw of the hawk.

Logr
A waterfall is a River which falls from a mountain-side;
but ornaments are of gold.

Yr
Yew is the greenest of trees in winter;
it is wont to crackle when it burns.