Stanza 60

Original Old Norse:

Þurra skíða

ok þakinna næfra

þess kann maðr mjöt

ok þess viðar

er vinnask megi

mál ok misseri

Auden & Taylor:

A man should know how many logs 

And strips of bark from the birch 

To stock in autumn, that he may have enough 

Wood for his winter fires.

Bellows:

Of seasoned shingles | and strips of bark

For the thatch let one know his need,

And how much of wood | he must have for a month,

Or in half a year he will use.

Bray:

Of dry logs saved and roof-bark stored

a man can know the measure, 

of fire-wood too which should last him out

quarter and half years to come.

Chisholm:

Dry firewood and birch bark

for roofing

a man can measure,

for wood to last in the winter time.

Hollander:

What lathes and logs will last him out,

a man may reckon aright;

and of wood to warm him how much he may want

for many a winter month.

Terry:

How many roof-beams and how much bark --

a man can measure these;

and how much wood will be enough

to keep him warm all winter.

Thorpe:

Of dry planks

and roof-shingles

a man knows the measure;

of the fire-wood

that may suffice,

both measure and time.

This stanza is a little more tricky. The basic sense is clear enough: practical knowledge will save you work. Knowing what kind of wood lasts longest before you use it as roofing is very wise. It plays with the concept of 'measure' both as a way to evaluate knowledge and as actually measuring wood for building. The lengths of time aren't terms we use as often now; some translators just use "short and long" for the seasons, but clearly the difference was more specific and meaningful in this agricultural community.

This also reinforces the previous stanza, of being a hard worker, getting things done. If I didn't chop the firewood in the fall, there would be no heat in the winter. If I dont can the veggies and fruits when they are in season, there will be no food come winter. Knowing how much to stock to feed my family is important.