Jessie B. Rittenhouse, ed. (1869–1948). The Second Book of Modern Verse. 1922.

Hrolf’s Thrall, His Song

THERE be five things to a man’s desire:

Kine flesh, roof-tree, his own fire,

Clean cup of sweet wine from goat’s hide,

And through dark night one to lie beside.

Four things poor and homely be:

Hearth-fire, white cheese, own roof-tree,

True mead slow brewed with brown malt;

But a good woman is savour and salt.

Plow, shove deep through gray loam;

Hack, sword, hack for straw-thatch home;

Guard, buckler, guard both beast and human—

God, send true man his true woman!