Icelandic Rune Poem
Nauð er Þýjar þrá
ok þungr kostr
ok vássamlig verk.
opera niflungr.
Constraint
grief of the bond-maid
and state of oppression
and toilsome work.
Norwegian Rune Poem
Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem
Nauðr gerer næppa koste;
nøktan kælr í froste.
Constraint gives scant choice;
a naked man is chilled by the frost.
Nyd byþ nearu on breostan; weorþeþ hi þeah oft niþa bearnum
to helpe and to hæle gehwæþre, gif hi his hlystaþ æror.
Trouble is oppressive to the heart;
yet often it proves a source of help and salvation
to the children of men, to everyone who heeds it betimes.