"Gáttir allar,

áðr gangi fram,

um skoðask skyli,

um skyggnast skyli,

því at óvíst er at vita,

hvar óvinir

sitja á fleti fyrir."

Within the gates

ere a man shall go,

(Full warily let him watch,)

Full long let him look about him;

For little he knows

where a foe may lurk,

And sit in the seats within.

"Gefendr heilir!

Gestr er inn kominn,

hvar skal sitja sjá?

Mjök er bráðr,

sá er á bröndum skal

síns of freista frama."

Hail to the giver!

a guest has come;

Where shall the stranger sit?

Swift shall he be who,

with swords shall try

The proof of his might to make.

"Elds er þörf,

þeims inn er kominn

ok á kné kalinn;

matar ok váða

er manni þörf,

þeim er hefr um fjall farit."

Fire he needs

who with frozen knees

Has come from the cold without;

Food and clothes

must the farer have,

The man from the mountains come.

"Vatns er þörf,

þeim er til verðar kemr,

þerru ok þjóðlaðar,

góðs of æðis,

ef sér geta mætti,

orðs ok endrþögu."

Water and towels

and welcoming speech

Should he find who comes, to the feast;

If renown he would get,

and again be greeted,

Wisely and well must he act.

"Vits er þörf,

þeim er víða ratar;

dælt er heima hvat;

at augabragði verðr,

sá er ekki kann

ok með snotrum sitr."

Wits must he have

who wanders wide,

But all is easy at home;

At the witless man

the wise shall wink

When among such men he sits.

"At hyggjandi sinni

skyli-t maðr hræsinn vera,

heldr gætinn at geði;

þá er horskr ok þögull

kemr heimisgarða til,

sjaldan verðr víti vörum,

því at óbrigðra vin

fær maðr aldregi

en mannvit mikit."

A man shall not boast

of his keenness of mind,

But keep it close in his breast;

To the silent and wise

does ill come seldom

When he goes as guest to a house;

(For a faster friend

one never finds

Than wisdom tried and true.)

"Inn vari gestr,

er til verðar kemr,

þunnu hljóði þegir,

eyrum hlýðir,

en augum skoðar;

svá nýsisk fróðra hverr fyrir."

The knowing guest

who goes to the feast,

In silent attention sits;

With his ears he hears,

with his eyes he watches,

Thus wary are wise men all.

"Hinn er sæll,

er sér of getr

lof ok líknstafi;

ódælla er við þat,

er maðr eiga skal

annars brjóstum í."

Happy the one

who wins for himself

Favor and praises fair;

Less safe by far

is the wisdom found

That is hid in another's heart.

"Sá er sæll,

er sjalfr of á

lof ok vit, meðan lifir;

því at ill ráð

hefr maðr oft þegit

annars brjóstum ór."

Happy the man

who has while he lives

Wisdom and praise as well,

For evil counsel

a man full oft

Has from another's heart.

"Byrði betri

berr-at maðr brautu at

en sé mannvit mikit;

auði betra

þykkir þat í ókunnum stað;

slíkt er válaðs vera."

A better burden

may no man bear

For wanderings wide than wisdom;

It is better than wealth

on unknown ways,

And in grief a refuge it gives.

"Byrði betri

berr-at maðr brautu at

en sé mannvit mikit;

vegnest verra

vegr-a hann velli at

en sé ofdrykkja öls."

A better burden

may no man bear

For wanderings wide than wisdom;

Worse food for the journey

he brings not afield

Than an over-drinking of ale.

"Er-a svá gótt

sem gótt kveða

öl alda sona,

því at færa veit,

er fleira drekkr

síns til geðs gumi."

Less good there lies

than most believe

In ale for mortal men;

For the more he drinks

the less does man

Of his mind the mastery hold.

"Óminnishegri heitir

sá er yfir ölðrum þrumir,

hann stelr geði guma;

þess fugls fjöðrum

ek fjötraðr vark

í garði Gunnlaðar."

Over beer the bird

of forgetfulness broods,

And steals the minds of men;

With the heron's feathers

fettered I lay

And in Gunnloth's house was held.

"Ölr ek varð,

varð ofrölvi

at ins fróða Fjalars;

því er ölðr bazt,

at aftr of heimtir

hverr sitt geð gumi."

Drunk I was,

I was dead-drunk,

When with Fjalar wise I was;

'Tis the best of drinking

if back one brings

His wisdom with him home.

"Þagalt ok hugalt

skyli þjóðans barn

ok vígdjarft vera;

glaðr ok reifr

skyli gumna hverr,

unz sinn bíðr bana."

The son of a king

shall be silent and wise,

And bold in battle as well;

Bravely and gladly

a man shall go,

Till the day of his death is come.

"Ósnjallr maðr

hyggsk munu ey lifa,

ef hann við víg varask;

en elli gefr

hánum engi frið,

þótt hánum geirar gefi."

The sluggard believes

he shall live forever,

If the fight he faces not;

But age shall not grant him

the gift of peace,

Though spears may spare his life.

"Kópir afglapi

er til kynnis kemr,

þylsk hann um eða þrumir;

allt er senn,

ef hann sylg of getr,

uppi er þá geð guma."

The fool is agape

when he comes to the feast,

He stammers or else is still;

But soon if he gets

a drink is it seen

What the mind of the man is like.

"Sá einn veit

er víða ratar

ok hefr fjölð of farit,

hverju geði

stýrir gumna hverr,

sá er vitandi er vits."

He alone is aware

who has wandered wide,

And far abroad has fared,

How great a mind

is guided by him

That wealth of wisdom has.

"Haldi-t maðr á keri,

drekki þó at hófi mjöð,

mæli þarft eða þegi,

ókynnis þess

vár þik engi maðr,

at þú gangir snemma at sofa."

Shun not the mead,

but drink in measure;

Speak to the point or be still;

For rudeness none

shall rightly blame thee

If soon thy bed thou seekest.

"Gráðugr halr,

nema geðs viti,

etr sér aldrtrega;

oft fær hlægis,

er með horskum kemr,

manni heimskum magi."

The greedy man,

if his mind be vague,

Will eat till sick he is;

The vulgar man,

when among the wise,

To scorn by his belly is brought.

"Hjarðir þat vitu,

nær þær heim skulu,

ok ganga þá af grasi;

en ósviðr maðr

kann ævagi

síns of mál maga."

The herds know well

when home they shall fare,

And then from the grass they go;

But the foolish man

his belly's measure

Shall never know aright.

"Vesall maðr

ok illa skapi

hlær at hvívetna;

hittki hann veit,

er hann vita þyrfti,

at hann er-a vamma vanr."

A paltry man

and poor of mind

At all things ever mocks;

For never he knows,

what he ought to know,

That he is not free from faults.

"Ósviðr maðr

vakir um allar nætr

ok hyggr at hvívetna;

þá er móðr,

er at morgni kemr,

allt er víl sem var."

The witless man

is awake all night,

Thinking of many things;

Care-worn he is

when the morning comes,

And his woe is just as it was.

"Ósnotr maðr

hyggr sér alla vera

viðhlæjendr vini;

hittki hann fiðr,

þótt þeir um hann fár lesi,

ef hann með snotrum sitr."

The foolish man

for friends all those

Who laugh at him will hold;

When among the wise

he marks it not

Though hatred of him they speak.

"Ósnotr maðr

hyggr sér alla vera

viðhlæjendr vini;

þá þat finnr,

er at þingi kemr,

at hann á formælendr fáa."

The foolish man

for friends all those

Who laugh at him will hold;

But the truth when he comes

to the council he learns,

That few in his favor will speak.

"Ósnotr maðr

þykkisk allt vita,

ef hann á sér í vá veru;

hittki hann veit,

hvat hann skal við kveða,

ef hans freista firar."

An ignorant man

thinks that all he knows,

When he sits by himself in a corner;

But never what answer

to make he knows,

When others with questions come.

"Ósnotr maðr,

er með aldir kemr,

þat er bazt, at hann þegi;

engi þat veit,

at hann ekki kann,

nema hann mæli til margt;

veit-a maðr,

hinn er vettki veit,

þótt hann mæli til margt."

A witless man,

when he meets with men,

Had best in silence abide;

For no one shall find

that nothing he knows,

If his mouth is not open too much.

(But a man knows not,

if nothing he knows,

When his mouth has been open too much.)

"Fróðr sá þykkisk,

er fregna kann

ok segja it sama;

eyvitu leyna

megu ýta synir,

því er gengr um guma."

Wise shall he seem

who well can question,

And also answer well;

Nought is concealed

that men may say

Among the sons of men.

"Ærna mælir,

sá er æva þegir,

staðlausu stafi;

hraðmælt tunga,

nema haldendr eigi,

oft sér ógótt of gelr."

Often he speaks

who never is still

With words that win no faith;

The babbling tongue,

if a bridle it find not,

Oft for itself sings ill.

"At augabragði

skal-a maðr annan hafa,

þótt til kynnis komi;

margr þá fróðr þykkisk,

ef hann freginn er-at

ok nái hann þurrfjallr þruma."

In mockery no onea man shall hold,

Although he fare to the feast;

Wise seems one oft,if nought he is asked,

And safely he sits dry-skinned.

"Fróðr þykkisk,

sá er flótta tekr,

gestr at gest hæðinn;

veit-a görla,

sá er of verði glissir,

þótt hann með grömum glami."

Wise a guest holds it

to take to his heels,

When mock of another he makes;

But little he knows

who laughs at the feast,

Though he mocks in the midst of his foes.

"Gumnar margir

erusk gagnhollir,

en at virði vrekask;

aldar róg

þat mun æ vera,

órir gestr við gest."

Friendly of mind

are many men,

Till feasting they mock at their friends;

To mankind a bane

must it ever be

When guests together strive.

"Árliga verðar

skyli maðr oft fáa,

nema til kynnis komi:

sitr ok snópir,

lætr sem solginn sé

ok kann fregna at fáu."

Oft should one make

an early meal,

Nor fasting come to the feast;

Else he sits and chews

as if he would choke,

And little is able to ask.

"Afhvarf mikit

er til ills vinar,

þótt á brautu búi,

en til góðs vinar

liggja gagnvegir,

þótt hann sé firr farinn."

Crooked and far

is the road to a foe,

Though his house on the highway be;

But wide and straight

is the way to a friend,

Though far away he fare.

"Ganga skal,

skal-a gestr vera

ey í einum stað;

ljúfr verðr leiðr,

ef lengi sitr

annars fletjum á."

Forth shall one go,

nor stay as a guest

In a single spot forever;

Love becomes loathing

if long one sits

By the hearth in another's home.

"Bú er betra,

þótt lítit sé,

halr er heima hverr;

þótt tvær geitr eigi

ok taugreftan sal,

þat er þó betra en bæn."

Better a house,

though a hut it be,

A man is master at home;

A pair of goats

and a patched-up roof

Are better far than begging.

"Bú er betra,

þótt lítit sé,

halr er heima hverr;

blóðugt er hjarta,

þeim er biðja skal

sér í mál hvert matar."

Better a house,

though a hut it be,

A man is master at home;

His heart is bleeding

who needs must beg

When food he fain would have.

"Vápnum sínum

skal-a maðr velli á

feti ganga framar,

því at óvíst er at vita,

nær verðr á vegum úti

geirs of þörf guma."

Away from his arms

in the open field

A man should fare not a foot;

For never he knows

when the need for a spear

Shall arise on the distant road.

"Fannk-a ek mildan mann

eða svá matar góðan,

at væri-t þiggja þegit,

eða síns féar

svági (glöggvan),

at leið sé laun, ef þægi."

If wealth a man

has won for himself,

Let him never suffer in need;

Oft he saves for a foe

what he plans for a friend,

For much goes worse than we wish.

"Féar síns,

er fengit hefr,

skyli-t maðr þörf þola;

oft sparir leiðum,

þats hefr ljúfum hugat;

margt gengr verr en varir."

None so free with gifts

or food have I found

That gladly he took not a gift,

Nor one who so widely

scattered his wealth

That of recompense hatred he had.

"Vápnum ok váðum

skulu vinir gleðjask;

þat er á sjalfum sýnst;

viðrgefendr ok endrgefendr

erusk lengst vinir,

ef þat bíðr at verða vel."

Friends shall gladden each other

with arms and garments,

As each for himself can see;

Gift-givers' friendships

are longest found,

If fair their fates may be.

"Vin sínum

skal maðr vinr vera

ok gjalda gjöf við gjöf;

hlátr við hlátri

skyli hölðar taka

en lausung við lygi."

To his friend a man

a friend shall prove,

And gifts with gifts requite;

But men shall mocking

with mockery answer,

And fraud with falsehood meet.

"Vin sínum

skal maðr vinr vera,

þeim ok þess vin;

en óvinar síns

skyli engi maðr

vinar vinr vera."

To his friend a man

a friend shall prove,

To him and the friend of his friend;

But never a man

shall friendship make

With one of his foeman's friends.

"Veiztu, ef þú vin átt,

þann er þú vel trúir,

ok vill þú af hánum gótt geta,

geði skaltu við þann blanda

ok gjöfum skipta,

fara at finna oft."

If a friend thou hast

whom thou fully wilt trust,

And good from him wouldst get,

Thy thoughts with his mingle,

and gifts shalt thou make,

And fare to find him oft.

"Ef þú átt annan,

þanns þú illa trúir,

vildu af hánum þó gótt geta,

fagrt skaltu við þann mæla

en flátt hyggja

ok gjalda lausung við lygi."

If another thou hast

whom thou hardly wilt trust,

Yet good from him wouldst get,

Thou shalt speak him fair,

but falsely think,

And fraud with falsehood requite.

"Það er enn of þann

er þú illa trúir

ok þér er grunr at hans geði,

hlæja skaltu við þeim

ok um hug mæla;

glík skulu gjöld gjöfum."

So is it with him

whom thou hardly wilt trust,

And whose mind thou mayst not know;

Laugh with him mayst thou,

but speak not thy mind,

Like gifts to his shalt thou give.

"Ungr var ek forðum,

fór ek einn saman,

þá varð ek villr vega;

auðigr þóttumk,

er ek annan fann,

maðr er manns gaman."

Young was I once,

and wandered alone,

And nought of the road I knew;

Rich did I feel

when a comrade I found,

For man is man's delight.

"Mildir, fræknir

menn bazt lifa,

sjaldan sút ala;

en ósnjallr maðr

uggir hotvetna,

sýtir æ glöggr við gjöfum."

The lives of the brave

and noble are best,

Sorrows they seldom feed;

But the coward fear

of all things feels,

And not gladly the niggard gives.

"Váðir mínar

gaf ek velli at

tveim trémönnum;

rekkar þat þóttusk,

er þeir rift höfðu;

neiss er nökkviðr halr."

My garments once

in a field I gave

To a pair of carven poles;

Heroes they seemed

when clothes they had,

But the naked man is nought.

"Hrörnar þöll,

sú er stendr þorpi á,

hlýr-at henni börkr né barr;

svá er maðr,

sá er manngi ann.

Hvat skal hann lengi lifa?"

On the hillside drear

the fir-tree dies,

All bootless its needles and bark;

It is like a man

whom no one loves,--

Why should his life be long?

"Eldi heitari

brennr með illum vinum

friðr fimm daga,

en þá sloknar,

er inn sétti kemr,

ok versnar allr vinskapr."

Hotter than fire

between false friends

Does friendship five days burn;

When the sixth day comes

the fire cools,

And ended is all the love.

"Mikit eitt

skal-a manni gefa;

oft kaupir sér í litlu lof,

með halfum hleif

ok með höllu keri

fekk ek mér félaga."

No great thing needs

a man to give,

Oft little will purchase praise;

With half a loaf

and a half-filled cup

A friend full fast I made.

"Lítilla sanda

lítilla sæva

lítil eru geð guma;

því allir menn

urðu-t jafnspakir;

half er öld hvar."

A little sand

has a little sea,

And small are the minds of men;

Though all men are not

equal in wisdom,

Yet half-wise only are all.

"Meðalsnotr

skyli manna hverr;

æva til snotr sé;

þeim er fyrða

fegrst at lifa,

er vel margt vitu."

A measure of wisdom

each man shall have,

But never too much let him know;

The fairest lives

do those men live

Whose wisdom wide has grown.

"Meðalsnotr

skyli manna hverr,

æva til snotr sé;

því at snotrs manns hjarta

verðr sjaldan glatt,

ef sá er alsnotr, er á."

A measure of wisdom

each man shall have,

But never too much let him know;

For the wise man's heart

is seldom happy,

If wisdom too great he has won.

"Meðalsnotr

skyli manna hverr,

æva til snotr sé;

örlög sín

viti engi fyrir,

þeim er sorgalausastr sefi."

A measure of wisdom

each man shall have,

But never too much let him know;

Let no man the fate

before him see,

For so is he freest from sorrow.

"Brandr af brandi

brenn, unz brunninn er,

funi kveikisk af funa;

maðr af manni

verðr at máli kuðr,

en til dælskr af dul."

A brand from a brand

is kindled and burned,

And fire from fire begotten;

And man by his speech

is known to men,

And the stupid by their stillness.

"Ár skal rísa,

sá er annars vill

fé eða fjör hafa;

sjaldan liggjandi ulfr

lær of getr

né sofandi maðr sigr."

He must early go forth

who fain the blood

Or the goods of another would get;

The wolf that lies idle

shall win little meat,

Or the sleeping man success.

"Ár skal rísa,

sá er á yrkjendr fáa,

ok ganga síns verka á vit;

margt of dvelr,

þann er um morgin sefr,

hálfr er auðr und hvötum."

He must early go forth

whose workers are few,

Himself his work to seek;

Much remains undone

for the morning-sleeper,

For the swift is wealth half won.

"Þurra skíða

ok þakinna næfra,

þess kann maðr mjöt,

þess viðar,

er vinnask megi

mál ok misseri."

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.

"Þveginn ok mettr

ríði maðr þingi at,

þótt hann sé-t væddr til vel;

skúa ok bróka

skammisk engi maðr

né hests in heldr,

þótt hann hafi-t góðan"

Washed and fed

to the council fare,

But care not too much for thy clothes;

Let none be ashamed

of his shoes and hose,

Less still of the steed he rides,

(Though poor be the horse he has.)

"Snapir ok gnapir,

er til sævar kemr,

örn á aldinn mar;

svá er maðr,

er með mörgum kemr

ok á formælendr fáa."

When the eagle comes

to the ancient sea,

He snaps and hangs his head;

So is a man

in the midst of a throng,

Who few to speak for him finds.

"Fregna ok segja

skal fróðra hverr,

sá er vill heitinn horskr;

einn vita

né annarr skal,

þjóð veit, ef þrír ro."

To question and answer

must all be ready

Who wish to be known as wise;

Tell one thy thoughts,

but beware of two,--

All know what is known to three.

"Ríki sitt

skyli ráðsnotra

hverr í hófi hafa;

þá hann þat finnr,

er með fræknum kemr

at engi er einna hvatastr."

The man who is prudent

a measured use

Of the might he has will make;

He finds when among

the brave he fares

That the boldest he may not be.

"*********

orða þeira,

er maðr öðrum segir

oft hann gjöld of getr."

*********

Oft for the words

that to others one speaks

He will get but an evil gift.

"Mikilsti snemma

kom ek í marga staði,

en til síð í suma;

öl var drukkit,

sumt var ólagat,

sjaldan hittir leiðr í líð."

Too early to many

a meeting I came,

And some too late have I sought;

The beer was all drunk,

or not yet brewed;

Little the loathed man finds.

"Hér ok hvar

myndi mér heim of boðit,

ef þyrftak at málungi mat,

eða tvau lær hengi

at ins tryggva vinar,

þars ek hafða eitt etit."

To their homes men would bid

me hither and yon,

If at meal-time I needed no meat,

Or would hang two hams

in my true friend's house,

Where only one I had eaten.

"Eldr er beztr

með ýta sonum

ok sólar sýn,

heilyndi sitt,

ef maðr hafa náir,

án við löst at lifa."

Fire for men

is the fairest gift,

And power to see the sun;

Health as well,

if a man may have it,

And a life not stained with sin.

"Er-at maðr alls vesall,

þótt hann sé illa heill;

sumr er af sonum sæll,

sumr af frændum,

sumr af fé ærnu,

sumr af verkum vel."

All wretched is no man,

though never so sick;

Some from their sons have joy,

Some win it from kinsmen,

and some from their wealth,

And some from worthy works.

"Betra er lifðum

en sé ólifðum,

ey getr kvikr kú;

eld sá ek upp brenna

auðgum manni fyrir,

en úti var dauðr fyr durum."

It is better to live

than to lie a corpse,

The live man catches the cow;

I saw flames rise

for the rich man's pyre,

And before his door he lay dead.

"Haltr ríðr hrossi,

hjörð rekr handar vanr,

daufr vegr ok dugir,

blindr er betri

en brenndr séi,

nýtr manngi nás."

The lame rides a horse,

the handless is herdsman,

The deaf in battle is bold;

The blind man is better

than one that is burned,

No good can come of a corpse.

"Sonr er betri,

þótt sé síð of alinn

eftir genginn guma;

sjaldan bautarsteinar

standa brautu nær,

nema reisi niðr at nið."

A son is better,

though late he be born,

And his father to death have fared;

Memory-stones

seldom stand by the road

Save when kinsman honors his kin.

"Tveir ro eins herjar,

tunga er höfuðs bani;

er mér í heðin hvern

handar væni."

Two make a battle,

the tongue slays the head;

In each furry coat

a fist I look for.

"Nótt verðr feginn

sá er nesti trúir,

skammar ro skips ráar;

hverf er haustgríma;

fjölð of viðrir

á fimm dögum

en meira á mánuði."

He welcomes the night

whose fare is enough,

(Short are the yards of a ship,)

Uneasy are autumn nights;

Full oft does the weather

change in a week,

And more in a month's time.

"Veit-a hinn,

er vettki veit,

margr verðr af aurum api;

maðr er auðigr,

annar óauðigr,

skyli-t þann vítka váar."

A man knows not,

if nothing he knows,

That gold oft apes begets;

One man is wealthy

and one is poor,

Yet scorn for him none should know.

"Deyr fé,

deyja frændr,

deyr sjalfr it sama,

en orðstírr

deyr aldregi,

hveim er sér góðan getr."

Among Fitjung's sons saw I well-stocked folds,–

Now bear they the beggar's staff;

Wealth is as swift as a winking eye,

Of friends the falsest it is.

"Deyr fé,

deyja frændr,

deyr sjalfr it sama,

ek veit einn,

at aldrei deyr:

dómr um dauðan hvern."

Cattle die, and kinsmen die,

And so one dies one's self;

But a noble name will never die,

If good renown one gets.

"Fullar grindr

sá ek fyr Fitjungs sonum,

nú bera þeir vánar völ;

svá er auðr

sem augabragð,

hann er valtastr vina."

Cattle die, and kinsmen die,

And so one dies one's self;

One thing now that never dies,

The fame of a dead man's deeds.

"Ósnotr maðr,

ef eignask getr

fé eða fljóðs munuð,

metnaðr hánum þróask,

en mannvit aldregi,

fram gengr hann drjúgt í dul."

Certain is that which is sought from runes,

That the gods so great have made,

And the Master-Poet painted;

*********

the race of gods:

Silence is safest and best.

"Þat er þá reynt,

er þú að rúnum spyrr

inum reginkunnum,

þeim er gerðu ginnregin

ok fáði fimbulþulr,

þá hefir hann bazt, ef hann þegir."

An unwise man, if a maiden's love

Or wealth he chances to win,

His pride will wax, but his wisdom never,

Straight forward he fares in conceit.

"At kveldi skal dag leyfa,

konu, er brennd er,

mæki, er reyndr er,

mey, er gefin er,

ís, er yfir kemr,

öl, er drukkit er."

Give praise to the day at evening,

to a woman on her pyre,

To a weapon which is tried,

to a maid at wed lock,

To ice when it is crossed,

to ale that is drunk.

"Í vindi skal við höggva,

veðri á sjó róa,

myrkri við man spjalla,

mörg eru dags augu;

á skip skal skriðar orka,

en á skjöld til hlífar,

mæki höggs,

en mey til kossa."

When the gale blows hew wood,

in fair winds seek the water;

Sport with maidens at dusk,

for day's eyes are many;

From the ship seek swiftness,

from the shield protection,

Cuts from the sword,

from the maiden kisses.

"Við eld skal öl drekka,

en á ísi skríða,

magran mar kaupa,

en mæki saurgan,

heima hest feita,

en hund á búi."

By the fire drink ale,

over ice go on skates;

Buy a steed that is lean,

and a sword when tarnished,

The horse at home fatten,

the hound in thy dwelling.

"Meyjar orðum

skyli manngi trúa

né því, er kveðr kona,

því at á hverfanda hvéli

váru þeim hjörtu sköpuð,

brigð í brjóst of lagið."

A man shall trust not

the oath of a maid,

Nor the word a woman speaks;

For their hearts on a whirling

wheel were fashioned,

And fickle their breasts were formed.

"Brestanda boga,

brennanda loga,

gínanda ulfi,

galandi kráku,

rýtanda svíni,

rótlausum viði,

vaxanda vági,

vellanda katli,"

In a breaking bow

or a burning flame,

A ravening wolf

or a croaking raven,

In a grunting boar,

a tree with roots broken,

In billowy seas

or a bubbling kettle.

"Fljúganda fleini,

fallandi báru,

ísi einnættum,

ormi hringlegnum,

brúðar beðmálum

eða brotnu sverði,

bjarnar leiki

eða barni konungs."

In a flying arrow

or falling waters,

In ice new formed

or the serpent's folds,

In a bride's bed-speech

or a broken sword,

In the sport of bears

or in sons of kings,

"Sjúkum kalfi,

sjalfráða þræli,

völu vilmæli,

val nýfelldum."

n a calf that is sick

or a stubborn thrall,

A flattering witch

or a foe new slain.

"Akri ársánum

trúi engi maðr

né til snemma syni,

— veðr ræðr akri.

en vit syni;

hætt er þeira hvárt."

In a brother's slayer,

if thou meet him abroad,

In a half-burned house,

in a horse full swift--

One leg is hurt

and the horse is useless--

None had ever such faith

as to trust in them all.

"Bróðurbana sínum

þótt á brautu mæti,

húsi hálfbrunnu,

hesti alskjótum,

— þá er jór ónýtr,

ef einn fótr brotnar —,

verði-t maðr svá tryggr

at þessu trúi öllu."

Hope not too surely

for early harvest,

Nor trust too soon in thy son;

The field needs good weather,

the son needs wisdom,

And oft is either denied.

"Svá er friðr kvenna,

þeira er flátt hyggja,

sem aki jó óbryddum

á ísi hálum,

teitum, tvévetrum

ok sé tamr illa,

eða í byr óðum

beiti stjórnlausu,

eða skyli haltr henda

hrein í þáfjalli."

The love of women

fickle of will

Is like starting o'er ice

with a steed unshod,

A two-year-old restive

and little tamed,

Or steering a rudderless

ship in a storm,

Or, lame, hunting reindeer

on slippery rocks.

"Bert ek nú mæli,

því at ek bæði veit,

brigðr er karla hugr konum;

þá vér fegrst mælum,

er vér flást hyggjum:

þat tælir horska hugi."

Clear now will I speak,

for I know them both,

Men false to women are found;

When fairest we speak,

then falsest we think,

Against wisdom we work with deceit.

"Fagrt skal mæla

ok fé bjóða,

sá er vill fljóðs ást fá,

líki leyfa

ins ljósa mans,

sá fær, er fríar."

Soft words shall he speak

and wealth shall he offer

Who longs for a maiden's love,

And the beauty praise

of the maiden bright;

He wins whose wooing is best.

"Ástar firna

skyli engi maðr

annan aldregi;

oft fá á horskan,

er á heimskan né fá,

lostfagrir litir."

Fault for loving

let no man find

Ever with any other;

Oft the wise are fettered,

where fools go free,

By beauty that breeds desire.

"Eyvitar firna

er maðr annan skal,

þess er um margan gengr guma;

heimska ór horskum

gerir hölða sonu

sá inn máttki munr."

Fault with another

let no man find

For what touches many a man;

Wise men oft

into witless fools

Are made by mighty love.

"Hugr einn þat veit,

er býr hjarta nær,

einn er hann sér of sefa;

öng er sótt verri

hveim snotrum manni

en sér engu at una."

The head alone knows

what dwells near the heart,

A man knows his mind alone;

No sickness is worse

to one who is wise

Than to lack the longed-for joy.

"Þat ek þá reynda,

er ek í reyri sat,

ok vættak míns munar;

hold ok hjarta

var mér in horska mær;

þeygi ek hana at heldr hefik."

This found I myself,

when I sat in the reeds,

And long my love awaited;

As my life the maiden

wise I loved,

Yet her I never had.

"Billings mey

ek fann beðjum á

sólhvíta sofa;

jarls ynði

þótti mér ekki vera

nema við þat lík at lifa."

Billing's daughter

I found on her bed,

In slumber bright as the sun;

Empty appeared

an earl's estate

Without that form so fair.

"Auk nær aftni

skaltu, Óðinn, koma,

ef þú vilt þér mæla man;

allt eru ósköp,

nema einir viti

slíkan löst saman."

Othin, again

at evening come,

If a woman thou wouldst win;

Evil it were

if others than we

Should know of such a sin.

"Aftr ek hvarf

ok unna þóttumk

vísum vilja frá;

hitt ek hugða,

at ek hafa mynda

geð hennar allt ok gaman."

Away I hastened,

hoping for joy,

And careless of counsel wise;

Well I believed

that soon I should win

Measureless joy with the maid.

"Svá kom ek næst,

at in nýta var

vígdrótt öll of vakin

með brennandum ljósum

ok bornum viði,

svá var mér vílstígr of vitaðr."

So came I next

when night it was,

The warriors all were awake;

With burning lights

and waving brands

I learned my luckess way.

"Auk nær morgni,

er ek var enn of kominn,

þá var saldrótt of sofin;

grey eitt ek þá fann

innar góðu konu

bundit beðjum á."

At morning then,

when once more I came,

And all were sleeping still,

A dog found

in the fair one's place,

Bound there upon her bed.

"Mörg er góð mær,

ef görva kannar,

hugbrigð við hali;

þá ek þat reynda,

er it ráðspaka

teygða ek á flærðir fljóð;

háðungar hverrar

leitaði mér it horska man,

ok hafða ek þess vettki vífs."

Many fair maids,

if a man but tries them,

False to a lover are found;

That did I learn

when I longed to gain

With wiles the maiden wise;

Foul scorn was my meed

from the crafty maid,

And nought from the woman I won.

"Heima glaðr gumi

ok við gesti reifr,

sviðr skal um sig vera,

minnigr ok málugr,

ef hann vill margfróðr vera,

oft skal góðs geta;

fimbulfambi heitir,

sá er fátt kann segja,

þat er ósnotrs aðal."

Though glad at home,

and merry with guests,

A man shall be wary and wise;

The sage and shrewd,

wide wisdom seeking,

Must see that his speech be fair;

A fool is he named

who nought can say,

For such is the way of the witless.

"Inn aldna jötun ek sótta,

nú em ek aftr of kominn:

fátt gat ek þegjandi þar;

mörgum orðum

mælta ek í minn frama

í Suttungs sölum."

I found the old giant,

now back have I fared,

Small gain from silence I got;

Full many a word,

my will to get,

I spoke in Suttung's hall.

"Gunnlöð mér of gaf

gullnum stóli á

drykk ins dýra mjaðar;

ill iðgjöld

lét ek hana eftir hafa

síns ins heila hugar,

síns ins svára sefa."

The mouth of Rati

made room for my passage,

And space in the stone he gnawed;

Above and below

the giants' paths lay,

So rashly I risked my head.

"Rata munn

létumk rúms of fá

ok um grjót gnaga;

yfir ok undir

stóðumk jötna vegir,

svá hætta ek höfði til."

Gunnloth gave

on a golden stool

A drink of the marvelous mead;

A harsh reward

did I let her have

For her heroic heart,

And her spirit troubled sore.

"Vel keypts litar

hefi ek vel notit,

fás er fróðum vant,

því at Óðrerir

er nú upp kominn

á alda vés jaðar."

The well-earned beauty

well I enjoyed,

Little the wise man lacks;

So Othrörir now

has up been brought

To the midst of the men of earth.

"Ifi er mér á,

at ek væra enn kominn

jötna görðum ór,

ef ek Gunnlaðar né nytak,

innar góðu konu,

þeirar er lögðumk arm yfir."

Hardly, methinks,

would I home have come,

And left the giants' land,

Had not Gunnloth helped me,

the maiden good,

Whose arms about me had been.

"Ins hindra dags

gengu hrímþursar

Háva ráðs at fregna

Háva höllu í;

at Bölverki þeir spurðu,

ef hann væri með böndum kominn

eða hefði hánum Suttungr of sóit."

The day that followed,

the frost-giants came,

Some word of Hor to win,

(And into the hall of Hor;)

Of Bolverk they asked,

were he back midst the gods,

Or had Suttung slain him there?

"Baugeið Óðinn,

hygg ek, at unnit hafi;

hvat skal hans tryggðum trúa?

Suttung svikinn

hann lét sumbli frá

ok grætta Gunnlöðu."

On his ring swore Othin

the oath, methinks;

Who now his troth shall trust?

Suttung's betrayal

he sought with drink,

And Gunnloth to grief he left.

"Mál er at þylja

þular stóli á

Urðarbrunni at,

sá ek ok þagðak,

sá ek ok hugðak,

hlýdda ek á manna mál;

of rúnar heyrða ek dæma,

né of ráðum þögðu

Háva höllu at,

Háva höllu í,

heyrða ek segja svá:"

It is time to chant

from the chanter's stool;

By the wells of Urth I was,

I saw and was silent,

I saw and thought,

And heard the speech of Hor.

(Of runes heard I words,

nor were counsels wanting,

At the hall of Hor,

In the hall of Hor;

Such was the speech I heard.)

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

nótt þú rís-at

nema á njósn séir

eða þú leitir þér innan út staðar."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest,

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

Rise not at night,

save if news thou seekest,

Or fain to the outhouse wouldst fare.

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

fjölkunnigri konu

skal-at-tu í faðmi sofa,

svá at hon lyki þik liðum."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest,

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

Beware of sleep

on a witch's bosom,

Nor let her limbs ensnare thee.

"Hon svá gerir,

at þú gáir eigi

þings né þjóðans máls;

mat þú vill-at

né mannskis gaman,

ferr þú sorgafullr at sofa."

Such is her might

that thou hast no mind

For the council or meeting of men;

Meat thou hatest,

joy thou hast not,

And sadly to slumber thou farest.

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

annars konu

teygðu þér aldregi

eyrarúnu at."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest,

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

Seek never to win

the wife of another,

Or long for her secret love.

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

á fjalli eða firði,

ef þik fara tíðir,

fásktu at virði vel."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest,

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

If o'er mountains or gulfs

thou fain wouldst go,

Look well to thy food for the way.

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

illan mann

láttu aldregi

óhöpp at þér vita,

því at af illum manni

fær þú aldregi

gjöld ins góða hugar."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest,

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

An evil man

thou must not let

Bring aught of ill to thee;

For an evil man

will never make

Reward for a worthy thought.

"Ofarla bíta

ek sá einum hal

orð illrar konu;

fláráð tunga

varð hánum at fjörlagi

ok þeygi of sanna sök."

I saw a man

who was wounded sore

By an evil woman's word;

A lying tongue

his death-blow launched,

And no word of truth there was.

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

veistu, ef þú vin átt,

þann er þú vel trúir,

far þú at finna oft,

því at hrísi vex

ok hávu grasi

vegr, er vættki treðr."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest,

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

If a friend thou hast

whom thou fully wilt trust,

Then fare to find him oft;

For brambles grow

and waving grass

On the rarely trodden road.

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

góðan mann

teygðu þér at gamanrúnum

ok nem líknargaldr, meðan þú lifir."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest,

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

A good man find

to hold in friendship,

And give heed to his healing charms.

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

vin þínum

ver þú aldregi

fyrri at flaumslitum;

sorg etr hjarta,

ef þú segja né náir

einhverjum allan hug."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest,

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

Be never the first

to break with thy friend

The bond that holds you both;

Care eats the heart

if thou canst not speak

To another all thy thought.

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

orðum skipta

þú skalt aldregi

við ósvinna apa,"

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

Exchange of words

with a witless ape

Thou must not ever make.

"Því at af illum manni

mundu aldregi

góðs laun of geta,

en góðr maðr

mun þik gerva mega

líknfastan at lofi."

For never thou mayst

from an evil man

A good requital get;

But a good man oft

the greatest love

Through words of praise will win thee.

"Sifjum er þá blandat,

hver er segja ræðr

einum allan hug;

allt er betra

en sé brigðum at vera;

er-a sá vinr öðrum, er vilt eitt segir."

Mingled is love

when a man can speak

To another all his thought;

Nought is so bad

as false to be,

No friend speaks only fair.

"Ráðumk, þér Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

þrimr orðum senna

skal-at-tu þér við verra mann

oft inn betri bilar,

þá er inn verri vegr."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

With a worse man speak not

three words in dispute,

Ill fares the better oft

When the worse man wields a sword.

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

skósmiðr þú verir

né skeftismiðr,

nema þú sjalfum þér séir:

skór er skapaðr illa

eða skaft sé rangt,

þá er þér böls beðit."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

A shoemaker be,

or a maker of shafts,

For only thy single self;

If the shoe is ill made,

or the shaft prove false,

Then evil of thee men think.

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

hvars þú böl kannt,

kveð þú þér bölvi at

ok gef-at þínum fjándum frið."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

If evil thou knowest,

as evil proclaim it,

And make no friendship with foes.

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

illu feginn

ver þú aldregi,

en lát þér at góðu getit."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

In evil never

joy shalt thou know,

But glad the good shall make thee.

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

upp líta

skal-at-tu í orrustu,

— gjalti glíkir

verða gumna synir, —

síðr þitt of heilli halir."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest,

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

Look not up

when the battle is on,

(Like madmen the sons

of men become,)

Lest men bewitch thy wits.

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

ef þú vilt þér góða konu

kveðja at gamanrúnum

ok fá fögnuð af,

fögru skaltu heita

ok láta fast vera;

leiðisk manngi gótt, ef getr."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

If thou fain wouldst win

a woman's love,

And gladness get from her,

Fair be thy promise

and well fulfilled;

None loathes what good he gets.

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

varan bið ek þik vera

ok eigi ofvaran;

ver þú við öl varastr

ok við annars konu

ok við þat it þriðja,

at þjófar né leiki."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

I bid thee be wary,

but be not fearful;

(Beware most with ale or another's wife,

And third beware

lest a thief outwit thee.)

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

at háði né hlátri

hafðu aldregi

gest né ganganda."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

Scorn or mocking

ne'er shalt thou make

Of a guest or a journey-goer.

"Oft vitu ógörla,

þeir er sitja inni fyrir,

hvers þeir ro kyns, er koma;

er-at maðr svá góðr

at galli né fylgi,

né svá illr, at einugi dugi."

Oft scarcely he knows

who sits in the house

What kind is the man who comes;

None so good is found

that faults he has not,

Nor so wicked that nought he is worth.

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

at hárum þul

hlæ þú aldregi,

oft er gótt, þat er gamlir kveða;

oft ór skörpum belg

skilin orð koma

þeim er hangir með hám

ok skollir með skrám

ok váfir með vílmögum."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest,

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

Scorn not ever

the gray-haired singer,

Oft do the old speak good;

(Oft from shrivelled skin

come skillful counsels,

Though it hang with the hides,

And flap with the pelts,

And is blown with the bellies.)

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

gest þú né geyja

né á grind hrekir;

get þú váluðum vel."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

Curse not thy guest,

nor show him thy gate,

Deal well with a man in want.

"Rammt er þat tré,

er ríða skal

öllum at upploki;

baug þú gef,

eða þat biðja mun

þér læs hvers á liðu."

Strong is the beam

that raised must be

To give an entrance to all;

Give it a ring,

or grim will be

The wish it would work on thee.

"Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir,

en þú ráð nemir, —

njóta mundu, ef þú nemr,

þér munu góð, ef þú getr —:

hvars þú öl drekkir,

kjós þér jarðar megin,

því at jörð tekr við ölðri,

en eldr við sóttum,

eik við abbindi,

ax við fjölkynngi,

höll við hýrógi,

— heiftum skal mána kveðja, —

beiti við bitsóttum,

en við bölvi rúnar,

fold skal við flóði taka."

I rede thee, Loddfafnir!

and hear thou my rede,

Profit thou hast if thou hearest,

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

When ale thou drinkest)

seek might of earth,

(For earth cures drink,

and fire cures ills,

The oak cures tightness,

the ear cures magic,

Rye cures rupture,

the moon cures rage,

Grass cures the scab,

and runes the sword-cut;)

The field absorbs the flood.

"Veit ek, at ek hekk

vindga meiði á

nætr allar níu,

geiri undaðr

ok gefinn Óðni,

sjalfr sjalfum mér,

á þeim meiði,

er manngi veit

hvers af rótum renn."

I ween that I hung

on the windy tree,

Hung there for nights full nine;

With the spear I was wounded,

and offered I was

To Othin, myself to myself,

On the tree that none

may ever know

What root beneath it runs.

"Við hleifi mik sældu

né við hornigi;

nýsta ek niðr,

nam ek upp rúnar,

æpandi nam,

fell ek aftr þaðan."

None made me happy

with loaf or horn,

And there below I looked;

I took up the runes,

shrieking I took them,

And forthwith back I fell.

"Fimbulljóð níu

nam ek af inum frægja syni

Bölþorns, Bestlu föður,

ok ek drykk of gat

ins dýra mjaðar,

ausinn Óðreri."

Nine mighty songs

I got from the son

Of Bolthorn, Bestla's father;

And a drink I got

of the goodly mead

Poured out from Othrörir.

"Þá nam ek frævask

ok fróðr vera

ok vaxa ok vel hafask,

orð mér af orði

orðs leitaði,

verk mér af verki

verks leitaði."

Then began I to thrive,

and wisdom to get,

I grew and well I was;

Each word led me on

to another word,

Each deed to another deed.

"Rúnar munt þú finna

ok ráðna stafi,

mjök stóra stafi,

mjök stinna stafi,

er fáði fimbulþulr

ok gerðu ginnregin

ok reist hroftr rögna."

Runes shalt thou find,

and fateful signs,

That the king of singers colored,

And the mighty gods have made;

Full strong the signs,

full mighty the signs

That the ruler of gods doth write.

"Óðinn með ásum,

en fyr alfum Dáinn,

Dvalinn ok dvergum fyrir,

Ásviðr jötnum fyrir,

ek reist sjalfr sumar."

Othin for the gods,

Dain for the elves,

And Dvalin for the dwarfs,

Alsvith for giants

and all mankind,

And some myself I wrote.

"Veistu, hvé rísta skal?

Veistu, hvé ráða skal?

Veistu, hvé fáa skal?

Veistu, hvé freista skal?

Veistu, hvé biðja skal?

Veistu, hvé blóta skal?

Veistu, hvé senda skal?

Veistu, hvé sóa skal?"

Knowest how one shall write,

knowest how one shall rede?

Knowest how one shall tint,

knowest how one makes trial?

Knowest how one shall ask,

knowest how one shall offer?

Knowest how one shall send,

knowest how one shall sacrifice?

"Betra er óbeðit

en sé ofblótit,

ey sér til gildis gjöf;

betra er ósent

en sé ofsóit.

Svá Þundr of reist

fyr þjóða rök,

þar hann upp of reis,

er hann aftr of kom."

Better no prayer

than too big an offering,

By thy getting measure thy gift;

Better is none

than too big a sacrifice,

*********

So Thund of old wrote

ere man's race began,

Where he rose on high

when home he came

"Ljóð ek þau kann,

er kann-at þjóðans kona

ok mannskis mögr.

Hjalp heitir eitt,

en þat þér hjalpa mun

við sökum ok sorgum

ok sútum görvöllum."

The songs I know

that king's wives know not,

Nor men that are sons of men;

The first is called help,

and help it can bring thee

In sorrow and pain and sickness.

"Þat kann ek annat,

er þurfu ýta synir,

þeir er vilja læknar lifa."

A second I know,

that men shall need

Who leechcraft long to use;

*********

*********

"Það kann ek þriðja:

ef mér verðr þörf mikil

hafts við mína heiftmögu,

eggjar ek deyfi

minna andskota,

bíta-t þeim vápn né velir."

A third I know,

if great is my need

Of fetters to hold my foe;

Blunt do I make

mine enemy's blade,

Nor bites his sword or staff.

"Þat kann ek it fjórða:

ef mér fyrðar bera

bönd að boglimum,

svá ek gel,

at ek ganga má,

sprettr mér af fótum fjöturr,

en af höndum haft."

A fourth I know,

if men shall fasten

Bonds on my bended legs;

So great is the charm

that forth I may go,

The fetters spring from my feet,

Broken the bonds from my hands.

"Þat kann ek it fimmta:

ef ek sé af fári skotinn

flein í folki vaða,

fýgr-a hann svá stinnt,

at ek stöðvig-a-k,

ef ek hann sjónum of sék."

A fifth I know,

if I see from afar

An arrow fly 'gainst the folk;

It flies not so swift

that I stop it not,

If ever my eyes behold it.

"Þat kann ek it sétta:

ef mik særir þegn

á vrótum hrás viðar,

ok þann hal

er mik heifta kveðr,

þann eta mein heldr en mik."

A sixth I know,

if harm one seeks

With a sapling's roots to send me;

The hero himself

who wreaks his hate

Shall taste the ill ere I.

"Þat kann ek it sjaunda:

ef ek sé hávan loga

sal of sessmögum,

brennr-at svá breitt,

at ek hánum bjargig-a-k;

þann kann ek galdr at gala."

A seventh I know,

if I see in flames

The hall o'er my comrades' heads;

It burns not so wide

that I will not quench it,

I know that song to sing.

"Þat kann ek it átta,

er öllum er

nytsamligt at nema:

hvars hatr vex

með hildings sonum

þat má ek bæta brátt."

An eighth I know,

that is to all

Of greatest good to learn;

When hatred grows

among heroes' sons,

I soon can set it right.

"Þat kann ek it níunda:

ef mik nauðr of stendr

at bjarga fari mínu á floti,

vind ek kyrri

vági á

ok svæfik allan sæ."

A ninth I know,

if need there comes

To shelter my ship on the flood;

The wind I calm

upon the waves,

And the sea I put to sleep.

"Þat kann ek it tíunda:

ef ek sé túnriður

leika lofti á,

ek svá vinnk,

at þær villar fara

sinna heimhama,

sinna heimhuga."

A tenth I know,

what time I see

House-riders flying on high;

So can I work

that wildly they go,

Showing their true shapes,

Hence to their own homes.

"Þat kann ek it ellifta:

ef ek skal til orrostu

leiða langvini,

und randir ek gel,

en þeir með ríki fara

heilir hildar til,

heilir hildi frá,

koma þeir heilir hvaðan."

An eleventh I know,

if needs I must lead

To the fight my long-loved friends;

I sing in the shields,

and in strength they go

Whole to the field of fight,

Whole from the field of fight,

And whole they come thence home.

"Þat kann ek it tolfta:

ef ek sé á tré uppi

váfa virgilná,

svá ek ríst

ok í rúnum fák,

at sá gengr gumi

ok mælir við mik."

A twelfth I know,

if high on a tree

I see a hanged man swing;

So do I write

and color the runes

That forth he fares,

And to me talks.

"Þat kann ek it þrettánda:

ef ek skal þegn ungan

verpa vatni á,

mun-at hann falla,

þótt hann í folk komi,

hnígr-a sá halr fyr hjörum."

A thirteenth I know,

if a thane full young

With water I sprinkle well;

He shall not fall,

though he fares mid the host,

Nor sink beneath the swords.

"Þat kann ek it fjögurtánda:

ef ek skal fyrða liði

telja tíva fyrir,

ása ok alfa

ek kann allra skil;

fár kann ósnotr svá."

A fourteenth I know,

if fain I would name

To men the mighty gods;

All know I well

of the gods and elves,

Few be the fools know this.

"Þat kann ek it fimmtánda

er gól Þjóðrerir

dvergr fyr Dellings durum:

afl gól hann ásum,

en alfum frama,

hyggju Hroftatý."

A fifteenth I know,

that before the doors

Of Delling sang Thjothrörir the dwarf;

Might he sang for the gods,

and glory for elves,

And wisdom for Hroptatyr wise.

"Þat kann ek it sextánda:

ef ek vil ins svinna mans

hafa geð allt ok gaman,

hugi ek hverfi

hvítarmri konu,

ok sný ek hennar öllum sefa."

A sixteenth I know,

if I seek delight

To win from a maiden wise;

The mind I turn

of the white-armed maid,

And thus change all her thoughts.

"Þat kann ek it sjautjánda

at mik mun seint firrask

it manunga man.

Ljóða þessa

mun þú, Loddfáfnir,

lengi vanr vera;

þó sé þér góð, ef þú getr,

nýt ef þú nemr,

þörf ef þú þiggr."

A seventeenth I know,

so that seldom shall go

A maiden young from me;

Long these songs

thou shalt, Loddfafnir,

Seek in vain to sing;

Yet good it were

if thou mightest get them,

Well, if thou wouldst them learn,

Help, if thou hadst them.

"Þat kann ek it átjánda,

er ek æva kennik

mey né manns konu,

— allt er betra,

er einn of kann;

þat fylgir ljóða lokum, —

nema þeiri einni,

er mik armi verr,

eða mín systir sé."

An eighteenth I know,

that ne'er will I tell

To maiden or wife of man,

The best is what none

but one's self doth know,

So comes the end of the songs,

Save only to her

in whose arms I lie,

Or who else my sister is.

"Nú eru Háva mál

kveðin Háva höllu í,

allþörf ýta sonum,

óþörf jötna sonum;

heill sá, er kvað,

heill sá, er kann,

njóti sá, er nam,

heilir, þeirs hlýddu."

Now are Hor's words

spoken in the hall,

Kind for the kindred of men,

Cursed for the kindred of giants:

Hail to the speaker,

and to him who learns!

Profit be his who has them!

Hail to them who hearken!