1 Gáttir allar áðr gangi fram um skoðask skyli um skygnask skyli því at óvíst er at vita hvar óvinir sitja á fleti fyrir |
[2] Before one would advance [1] through each doorway, one must look about and peer around, because one can’t know for sure where enemies sit in the hall beforehand. |
2 Gefendr heilir gestr er inn kominn hvar skal sitja sjá? Mjök er bráðr sá er bröndum skal síns um freista frama |
Greetings to the hosts, a guest is come. where must this one sit? He is very impatient, the one who must sit on the firewood, to test his luck. |
3 Elds er þörf þeims inn er kominn ok á kné kalinn matar ok váða es manni þörf þeims hefir um fjall farit |
There is need of fire for him who is come in with cold knees; [5] there is need [4] of food and clothes for the man who has journeyed on the mountainside. |
4 Vats er þörf þeims til verðar kømr þerru ok þjóðlaðar góðs um œðis ef sér geta mætti orðs ok endrþögu |
There is need of water, for the one who comes for a meal, of towel and friendly intonation; of good disposition, if he can get it, of speech and silence in return. |
5 Vits er þörf þeims viða ratar dælt er heima hvat at augabragði verðr sá er ekki kann ok með snotrum sitr |
Sense is needed for the one who travels widely; everything is easy at home. [5] He who knows nothing [6] and sits with wise men [4] becomes a mockery. |
6 At hyggjandi sinni skylit maðr hrœsinn vera heldr gætinn at geði þá er horskr ok þögull kømr heimisgarða til sjaldan verðr viti vörum því at óbrigðra vin fær maðr aldregi en manvit mikit |
[2] A man must not be boastful [1] in his mind, but wary in disposition; when he, wise and silent, comes to the homestead, misfortune rarely befalls the wary, because [8] man can never have [7] a more reliable guide than great common sense. |
7 Hinn vari gestr er til verðar kømr þunnu hljóði þegir eyrum hlýðir en augum skoðar svá nýsisk fróðra hverr fyrir |
The wary guest who comes for a meal is silent with strained hearing, listens with ears and examines with eyes; so each of the wise searches about himself. |
8 Hinn er sæll er sér of getr lof ok líknstafi ódælla er við þat er maðr eiga skal annars brjóstum í |
He is blessed who has within himself praise and esteem; it is harder to deal with that which a man must own in the breast of another. |
9 Sá er sæll er sjalfr of á lof ok vit meðan lifir því at ill röð hefr maðr opt þegit annars brjóstum ór |
He is blessed who has within himself praise and sense while he lives, because [5] man has often received [4] ill-counsel from the breast of another. |
10 Byrði betri berrat maðr brautu at en sé manvit mikit auði betra þykkir þat í ókunnum stað slíkt er válaðs vera |
A man does not bear a better burden on the road than is great commonsense; it seems a greater wealth in an unknown place — such is the refuge of the needy. |
11 Byrði betri berrat maðr brautu at en sé manvit mikit vegnest verra vegra hann velli at an sé ofdrykkja öls |
A man does not bear a better burden on the road than is great commonsense; he does not carry a worse journey-provision in the open field than is the over-drinking of ale. |
12 Era svá gótt sem gótt kveða öl alda sonum því at færa veit er fleira drekkr síns til geðs gumi |
Ale is not as good as it is said to be good for the sons of men; because the man knows less — he who drinks more — of his disposition. |
13 Óminnishegri heitir sá er yfir ölðrum þrumir hann stelr geði guma þess fugls fjöðrum ek fjötraðr vask í garði Gunnlaðar |
He is called the heron of forgetfulness, he who hovers over ale-parties; he steals the disposition of men. By the feathers of this bird I was fettered, in the courts of Gunnlöth. |
14 Ölr ek varð varð ofrölvi at hins fróða Fjalars því er ölðr bazt at aptr of heimtir hverr sitt geð gumi |
I got drunk, really drunk, at Fjalarr the Wise’s; it is the best ale-feast when each man recovers his disposition |
15 Þagalt ok hugalt skyli þjóðans barn ok vígdjarft vera glaðr ok reifr skyli gumna hverr unz sínn bíðr bana |
A ruler’s son must be silent and thoughtful and brave in battle; each man must be happy and cheerful until he suffers death. |
16 Ósnjallr maðr hyggsk munu ey lifa ef hann við víg varask en elli gefr honum engi frið þótt honum geirar gefi |
The foolish man thinks he will live forever if he avoids battle; but old age gives him no peace, though spears might spare him. |
17 Kópir afglapi er til kynnis kømr þylsk hann umbeða þrumir alt er senn ef hann sylg um getr uppi er þá geð guma |
The fool stares when he comes on a visit to acquaintances; he mumbles to himself or hovers. Everything happens at once if he gets a drink: then his disposition is revealed. |
18 Sá einn veit er víða ratar ok hefr fjölð um farit hverju geði stýrir gumna hverr sá er vitandi er vits |
He alone knows, he who wanders widely and has travelled a great deal, what disposition each man possesses. He is knowing in commonsense. |
19 Haldit maðr á keri drekki þó at hófi mjöð mæli þarft eða þegi ókynnis þess var þik engi maðr at þú gangir snemma at sofa |
Do not let a man hold on to a goblet, but let him drink mead in moderation, let him talk sense or be silent. No man blames you of bad manners, that you go early to sleep. |
20 Gröðugr halr nema geðs viti etr sér aldrtrega opt fær hlœgis er með horskum kømr manni heimskum magi |
A greedy man, unless he knows his mind, often causes his life’s sorrow by eating; often the stomach gains ridicule, when he comes among wise men, for the foolish man. |
21 Hjarðir þat vitu nær þær heim skulu ok ganga þá af grasi en ósviðr maðr kann ævagi síns um mál maga |
The herds know when they must be home and leave the pasture then; but the unwise man never knows the measure of his stomach. |
22 Vesall maðr ok illa skapi hlær at hvívetna hitki hann veit er hann vita þyrpti at hann era vamma vanr |
The wretched man of bad character laughs at all kinds of things. On the other hand he doesn’t know what he ought to know, that he is not lacking in faults. |
23 Ósviðr maðr vakir um allar nætr ok hyggr at hvívetna þá er móðr er at morni kømr alt er vil sem var |
The unwise man is awake all night and thinks of all sorts of things; then he is tired when morning comes, and all the trouble is as it was. |
24 Ósnotr maðr hyggr sér alla vera viðhlæjendr vini hitki hann fiðr þótt þeir um hann fár lesi ef hann með snotrum sitr |
The unwise man thinks them all to be his friends, those who laugh at him; he does not notice even if they express malice against him when he sits among wise men. |
25 Ósnotr maðr hyggr sér alla vera viðhlæjendr vini þá þat fiðr er at þingi kømr at hann á formælendr fá |
The unwise man thinks them all to be his friends, those who laugh at him; then he finds when he comes to the Thing (assembly) that he has few supporters. |
26 Ósnotr maðr þykkisk alt vita ef hann á sér í vá veru hitki hann veit hvat hann skal við kveða ef hans freista firar |
The unwise man thinks he knows everything if he has refuge for himself in a corner. but he does not know what he must say in reply, if men test him. |
27 Ósnotr maðr er með aldir kømr þat er bazt at hann þegi engi þat veit at hann ekki kann name hann mæli til mart veita maðr hinn er vætki veit þótt hann mæli til mart |
For the unwise man who comes among men, it is best that be he silent. None know that he knows nothing, unless he should speak too much. * The man does not know it, he who knows nothing, whether he speaks too much. |
28 Fróðr sá þykkisk er fregna kann ok segja hit sama eyvitu leyna megu ýta synir því er gengr of guma |
He seems wise, he who knows how to ask and to speak likewise; they can conceal nothing, the sons of men, of what is said about men. |
29 Œrna mælir sá er eva þegir staðlausu stafi hraðmælt tunga nema haldendr eigi opt sér ógótt um gelr |
[2] He who is never silent [1] speaks plenty of meaningless words; the fast-talking tongue, unless it have controllers, often sings itself harm. |
30 At augabragði skala maðr anna hafa þótt til kynnis komi margr þá fróðr þykkisk ef hann freginn erat ok nái hann þurrfjallr þruma |
[2] A man must not make [1] a mockery [2] of another when he comes to visit acquaintances; many a man seems wise if he is not questioned and manages to sit quiet, unscathed. |
31 Fróðr þykkisk sá er flótta tekr gestr at gest hæðinn veita görla sá er of verði glissir þótt hann með grömum glami |
He seems wise, the guest who takes flight from the mocking guest; he does not know for certain, he who mocks over a meal, whether he talks loudly among enemies. |
32 Gunnar margir erusk gagnhollir en at virði vrekask aldar róg þat mun æ vera órir gestr við gest |
Many men are most friendly with each other and yet fight over food; strife among men will always be: guest will be hostile to guest. |
33 Árliga verðar skyli maðr opt fá nema til kynnis komi sitr ok snópir lætr sem solginn sé ok kann fregna at fá |
[2] A man should often take [1] a meal early, unless he comes to visit friends; [else] he sits and looks around hungrily, behaves as though he’s famished, and can talk about little. |
34 Afhvart mikit er til ills vinar þótt á brautu búi en til góðs vinar liggja gagnvegir þótt hann sé firr farinn |
It is a great roundabout way to a bad friend, though he dwell on the road; but to a good friend there lead direct routes, though he be gone farther away. |
35 Ganga skal skala gestr vera ey í einum stað ljúfr verðr leiðr ef lengi sitr annars fletjum á |
The guest must go, he must not be always in the same place; loved becomes loathed if he stays a long time in the hall of another. |
36 Bú er betra þótt lítit sé halr er heima hverr þótt tvær geitr eigi ok taugreptan sal þat er þó betra an bœn |
The dwelling is better, though it be small; each man is a free man at home; though he own two she-goats and a hall roofed with withies, it is still better than begging. |
37 Bú er betra þótt lítit sé halr er heima hverr blóðugt er hjarta þeims biðja skal sér í mál hvert matar |
The dwelling is better, though it be small; each man is a free man at home; he has a bloody heart, the one who must beg food for himself every meal-time. |
38 Vápnum sínum skala maðr velli á feti ganga framar því at óvist er at vita nær verðr á vegum úti geirs um þörf guma |
[2] A man in the open country must not [3] go more than one step [1] from his weapons; because one can’t be sure when, outside on the roads, a spear will be needed by a warrior. |
39 Fanka ek mildan mann eða svá matar góðan at værit þiggja þegit eða síns féar svá gjöflan at leið sé laun ef þiggr |
I have not found a man so liberal or so generous with food that to accept was not accepted, or [5] so free * [4] with his money that the reward is unwelcome if he gets one. |
40 Féar síns er fengit hefir skylit maðr þörf þola opt sparir leiðum þats hefir ljúfum hugat mart gengr verr en varir |
[3] A man should not endure want [2] when he has gained [1] his money; often he saves for enemies what he has intended for friends; much goes worse than expected. |
41 Vápnum ok váðum skulu vinir gleðjask þat er á sjalfum sýnst viðr gefendr ok endrgefendr erusk vinir lengst, ef þat bíðr at verða vel |
[2] Friends must gladden each other [1] with weapons and clothes, which are most evident on themselves. givers in return and repeat-givers are friends the longest if it endures to turn out well. |
42 Vin sínum skal maðr vinr vera ok gjalda gjöf við gjöf hlátr við hlátri skyli hölðar taka en lausung við lygi |
[2] A man must be a friend [1] to his friend and give gift for gift. [5] Men should use [4] mockery in return for mockery, and deception in return for a lie. |
43 Vin sínum skal maðr vinr vera þeim ok þess vinr en óvinar síns skyli engi maðr vinar vinr vera |
[2] A man must be a friend [1] to his friend, for himself and for the friend, [5] but no man must [6] be a friend of a friend [4] of his foe. |
44 Veiztu ef þú vin átt þanns þú vel trúir ok vill þú af honum gótt geta geði skalt við þann blanda ok gjöfum skipta fara at finna opt |
Know, if you have a friend in whom you have faith, and you wish to get something good from him, you must share with his mind and exchange gifts, and go often to seek him out. |
45 Ef þú át annan þanns þú illa trúir vildu af honum þó gótt geta fagrt skalt við þann mæla en flátt hyggja ok gjalda lausung við lygi |
If you have another whom you mistrust, but you want to get something good from him, you must speak fair to him, and think deceitful thoughts, and give deception in return for a lie. |
46 Þat 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 |
There is more about the one whom you mistrust and whose disposition you suspect: you should laugh with him and speak other than your thought. There should be repayment for such gifts. |
47 Ungr var ek forðum fór ek einn saman þá varð ek villr vega auðigr þóttumk er ek annan fann maðr er manns gaman |
Long ago I was young, I travelled on my own, then I turned astray in my paths: I thought myself rich when I found another, man is man’s entertainment. |
48 Mildir frœknir menn bazt lifa sjaldan sút ala en ósnjallr maðr uggir hotvetna sýtir æ gløggr við gjöfum |
Generous, valiant men live best, and seldom nourish sorrow; but the cowardly man fears all sorts of things and the niggard is always troubled about gifts. |
49 Váðir mínar gaf ek velli at tveim trémönnum rekkar þat þóttusk er þeir ript höfðu neiss er nøkkviðr halr |
My clothes I gave in a field to two wooden men: they thought themselves warriors when they had clothing: a naked man is shamed. |
50 Hrørnar þöll sú er stendr þorpi á hlýrat henni börkr né barr svá er maðr sá er mangi ann hvat skal hann lengi lifa? |
The fir decays, the one that stands in the hamlet: neither bark nor foliage protects it. So is a man, who is loved by no-one: how should he live a long time? |
51 Eldi heitari brinn með illum vinum friðr fimm daga, en þá sloknar es hinn sétti kømr ok versnar allr vinskapr |
Friendship among bad friends burns hotter than fire for five days; but it is extinguished when the sixth day comes and the whole friendship spoils. |
52 Mikit eitt skala manni gefa opt kaupir sér í lítlu lof með hálfum hleifi ok með höllu keri fekk ek mér félaga |
[2] One should not give a man [1] a single large gift: often one can obtain for onself with a little praise: with half a loaf and with a sloping goblet I got myself a comrade. |
53 Lítilla sanda lítilla sæva lítil eru geð guma því at allir menn urðut jafnspakir hálf er öld hvar |
? [of small sands,] ? [of small seas,] Small are the minds of men, because all men have not turned out equally wise, ? mankind is everywhere halved. |
54 Meðalsnotr skyli manna hverr æva til snotr sé þeim er fyrða fegrst at lifa er vel mart vitut |
[2] Each man must be [1] moderately wise, but never too wise; for those people it is most pleasant to live when they don’t know a great many things. * |
55 Meðalsnotr skyli manna hverr æva til snotr sé því at snotrs manns hjarta verðr sjaldan glatt, ef sá er alsnotr er á |
[2] Each man must be [1] moderately wise, but never too wise; because the wise man’s heart is seldom glad, if he who owns it is completely wise. |
56 Meðalsnotr skyli manna hverr æva til snotr sé ørlög sín viti engi fyrir þeim er sorgalausastr sefi |
[2] Each man must be [1] moderately wise, but never too wise; [5] no-one should know beforehand [4] his fate; for that one is the mind most free from care. |
57 Brandr af brandi brinn unz brunninn er funi kveykisk af funa maðr af manni verðr at máli kuðr en til dœlskr af dul |
Firewood from firewood burns, until it is burnt, flame kindles from flame; from man, man becomes wise in speech, but too foolish from folly. |
58 Ár skal rísa sá er annars vill fé eða fjör hafa sjaldan liggjandi úlfr lær um getr né sofandi maðr sigr |
He must rise early, the one who wants to have another’s wealth or life; seldom does a lying wolf get a ham or a sleeping man victory. |
59 Ár skal rísa sá er á yrkendr fá ok ganga síns verka á vit mart um dvelr þann er um morgin sefr hálfr er auðr und hvötum |
He must rise early, the one who has few workers, and go to visit his work; much will delay the one who sleeps through the morning; wealth is half in the hands of the active. |
60 Þurra skíða ok þakinna næfra þess kann maðr mjöt ok þess viðar er vinnask megi mál ok misseri |
[3] Man knows the measure of this, [1] of dry sticks [2] and of birch-bark for roofing, and of this, of wood which will last for the short and long seasons. |
61 Þveginn ok mettr ríði maðr þingi at þótt hann sét væddr til vel skúa ok bróka skammisk engi maðr né hests in heldr þótt hann hafit góðan |
[2] A man should ride to the Thing [1] washed and fed, though he be not clothed too well; [5] let no man be ashamed [4] of shoes and breeches, nor of horse either, even if he hasn’t a good one. |
62 Snapir ok gnapir er til sævar kømr örn á aldinn mar svá er maðr er með mörgum kømr ok á formælendr fá |
[3] The eagle [1] snatches and stretches when it comes to the sea, [3] the ancient sea; so is a man who comes among crowds and has few supporters. |
63 Fregna ok segja skal fróðra hverr sá er vill heitinn horskr einn vita né annarr skal þjóð veit ef þrír ro |
[2] Each of the wise must [1] ask and reply, he who wishes to be called wise; one alone must know but not another; the people knows if there are three [who know]. |
64 Ríki sitt skyli ráðsnotra hverr í hófi hafa þá hann þat finnr er með frœknum kømr at engi er einna hvatastr |
[3] Each [2] of the prudent must [3] hold in moderation [1] his power; then he finds it, when he comes among valiant men, that none is keenest of all. |
65 Orða þeira er maðr öðrum segir opt hann gjöld um getr |
[3] Often a man gets a repayment [1] for the words [2] which he says to another. |
66 Mikilsti snemma kom ek í marga staði en til síð í suma öl var drukkit sumt var ólagat sjaldan hittir leiðr í lið |
[2] I came to many places [1] very much too soon, and too late to some; sometimes the ale was drunk, sometimes it wasn’t ready; the unwelcome one seldom hits the spot. |
67 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 |
Here and there I would be invited home if I needed no food at meals; or two hams would hang at a loyal friend’s where I had eaten one. |
68 Eldr er beztr með ýta sonum ok sólar sýn heilyndi sitt ef maðr hafa náir án við löst at lifa |
Fire is best for the sons of men and the sight of the sun; his health, if he can keep it, and to live without shame. |
69 Erat maðr alls vesall þótt hann sé illa heill sumr er af sonum sæll sumr af frændum sumr af fé œrnu sumr af verkum vel |
A man is not wholly wretched, though he be in rotten health; one is blessed with sons, another with kinsmen, another with plenty of money, another with deeds well done. |
70 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 for the living than for the dead, * the living man always gets the cow; I saw the fire burn up before a rich man, but death was outside the door. |
71 Haltr ríðr hrossi hjörð rekr handarvanr daufr vegr ok dugir blindr er betri en brenndr sé nýtr manngi nás |
The lame man rides a horse, the one-armed man drives the herd, the deaf man fights and is useful; it is better to be blind than burnt: no-one is helped by a corpse. |
72 Sonr er betri þótt sé síð of alinn eptir genginn guma sjaldan bautarsteinar standa brautu nær nema reisi niðr at nið |
A son is better, though he be late-begotten, after a man is gone; memorial stones seldom stand by the road unless a kinsman should raise [them] to kin. |
73 Tveir ro eins herjar tunga er höfuðs bani er mér í heðin hvern handar væni |
Two men are the destroyers of one: the tongue is the head’s slayer; [4] I expect a fist [3] in every fur cloak. |
74 Nótt verðr feginn sá er nesti trúir skammar ro skips rár hverf er haustgríma fjölð um viðrir á fimm dögum en meira á mánuði |
He becomes happy at night who trusts his journey-provisions; a ship’s sailyards are short; an autumn-night is changeable. The weather changes in many ways in five days, and more in a month. |
75 Veita hinn er vættki veit margr verðr af aurum api maðr er auðigr annarr óauðigr skylit þann vítka vár |
He does not know, he who knows nothing: many a man becomes a fool through ores [money]; one man is rich, another poor; he must not blame his woe on him. |
76 Deyr fé deyja frændr deyr sjálfr it sama en orðstírr deyr aldregi hveim er sér góðan getr |
Cattle die, kinsmen die, the self dies likewise; but the renown [6] for the one who gets good fame [5] dies never. |
77 Deyr fé deyja frændr deyr sjálfr it sama ek veit einn at aldri deyr dómr um dauðan hvern |
Cattle die, kinsmen die, the self dies likewise; I know one thing that never dies: the repute of each of the dead. |
78 Fullar grindr sá ek fyr Fitjungs sonum nú bera þeir vánarvöl svá er auðr sem augabragð hann er valtastr vina |
[2] I saw [1] the full cattle-pens of the sons of Fitjung, now they are beggars: thus wealth is like the blink of an eye — it is the most unreliable of friends. |
79 Ósnotr maðr ef eignask getr fé eða fljóðs munuð metnaðr honum þróask en mannvit aldregi fram gengr hann drjúgt í dul |
[2] If [1] the foolish man gains possession of money or a woman’s love, pride grows in him but never commonsense; he heads straight for haughtiness. |
80 Þat er þá reynt er þú at rúnum spyrr inum reginkunnum þeim er gerðu ginnregin ok fáði fimbulþulr þá hefir hann bazt ef hann þegir |
Then that is proven when you consult the runes, originated by the gods, those which the gods made and the mighty sage coloured, that it is best if he is silent. |
81 At kveldi skal dag leyfa konu er brennd er mæki er reyndr er mey er gefin er ís er yfir kømr öl er drukkit er |
The day must be praised in the evening, a woman, when she is cremated, a sword, when it is proven, a maiden, when she is given away, ice, when it is crossed, ale, when it is drunk. |
82 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 |
Wood must be hewed in the wind, row out to sea in good weather, talk with maidens in the dark, many are the eyes of the day. A ship must be used for a swift journey and a shield for protection, a sword for a blow and a maiden for kisses. |
83 Við eld skal öl drekka en á ísi skríða magran mar kaupa en mæki saurgan heima hest feita en hund á búi |
Drink ale by the fire and skate on the ice, buy a lean steed and a dirty sword, * fatten a horse at home and farm out a dog. |
84 Meyjar orðum skyli manngi trúa né því er kveðr kona því at á hverfanda hvéli váru þeim hjörtu sköpuð brigð í brjóst um lagit |
[2] No-one should trust [1] in the words of a maid, nor in what a woman says, [4] for [5] their hearts were shaped [4] on a (potter’s) turning wheel, and fickleness placed in their breasts. |
85 Brestanda boga brennanda loga gínanda úlfi galandi kráku rýtanda svíni rótlausum viði vaxanda vági vellanda katli |
A cracking bow, a burning flame, a gaping wolf, a screaming crow, a grunting pig, a rootless tree, a rising sea, a boiling kettle, |
86 fljúganda fleini fallandi báru ísi einnættum ormi hringlegnum brúðar beðmálum eða brotnu sverði bjarnar leiki eða barni konungs |
a flying spear, a falling wave, ice one night old, a coiled snake, a bride’s bed-talk or a broken sword, a bear’s game or a king’s son, |
87 sjúkum kálfi sjálfráða þræli völu vilmæli val nýfeldum |
a sick calf, a self-willed thrall, the favouring speech of a seeress, the newly slain, |
88 akri ársánum trúi engi maðr né til snemma syni veðr ræðr akri en vit syni hætt er þeira hvárt |
a field sown early no man should trust, nor too quickly in his son; weather rules the field and the mind of the son, each of these is unreliable. |
89 Bróðurbana sínum þótt á brautu mœti húsi hálfbrunnu hesti alskjótum þá er jór ónýtr ef einn fótr brotnar verðit maðr svá tryggr at þessu trúi öllu |
In his brother-slayer, though he is met on the road, in a half-burnt house, in a horse too-speedy — a steed is useless if he breaks a foot — a man should not be so trustful that he trusts all these. |
90 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 who are deceitful in spirit is like riding a smooth-shod horse on slippery ice, a spirited two-year-old and one badly trained, or [8] on a rudderless boat [7] in a raging wind, or like a lame man trying to catch a reindeer on a thawing mountainside. |
91 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 |
Now I will speak openly, because I know both: men’s hearts are fickle with women; when we speak most fair then we think most false. It deceives the heart of the wise. |
92 Fagrt skal mæla ok fé bjóða sá er vill fljóðs ást fá líki leyfa ins ljósa mans sá fær er fríar |
Fairly must he speak and offer gifts, he who wants to win a woman’s love; praise the figure of the fair maiden; he wins who flatters. |
93 Ástar firna skyli engi maðr annan aldregi opt fá á horskan er á heimskan ne fá lostfagrir litir |
[2] No man must [3] ever [1] mock [3] another’s [1] love. often [6] ravishingly fair looks [4] capture the wise man [5] when they do not capture the fool. |
94 Eyvitar firna er maðr annan skal þess er um margan gengr guma heimska ór horskum gørir hölða sonu sá inn mátki munr |
[2] A man must [1] in no way mock [2] another, for what happens to many a man; [6] love the mighty makes [4] fools of the wise [5] among the sons of men. |
95 Hugr einn þat veit er býr hjarta nær einn er hann sér um sefa øng er sótt verri hveim snotrum manni en sér øngu at una |
Only the mind knows what lives near the heart; a man is alone with his own spirit. There is no sickness worse for any wise man than to have nothing to love. |
96 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 |
That I proved when I sat in the reeds and waited for my love; [5] the wise maid to me [4] was body and soul — but still I do not have her. |
97 Billings mey ek fann beðjum á sólhvíta sofa jarls ynði þótti mér ekki vera nema við þat lík at lifa |
[2] I found her in bed, [1] Billingr’s kinswoman, sun-white, asleep; a jarl’s delight seemed nothing to me, unless I could live with that body. |
98 Auk nær apni skaltu Óðinn koma ef þú vilt þér mæla man alt eru ósköp nema einir viti slíkan löst saman |
“So towards evening, Othinn, you must come, if you want to win the maid for yourself; all is amiss, unless we alone know of such shame.” |
99 Aptr ek hvarf ok unna þóttumk vísum vilja frá hitt ek hugða at ek hafa mynda geð hennar alt ok gaman |
Back I turned and seemed [3] out of my head [2] with love; I thought that I would have it all, her heart and pleasure. |
100 Svá kom ek næst at in nýta var vígdrótt öll um vakin með brennandum ljósum ok bornum viði svá var mér vílstígr of vitaðr |
When I came next, the able [3] warriors [2] were [3] all awake; with burning lights and brands raised high, * so was my wretched path marked out. |
101 Ok nær morni er ek var enn um kominn þá var saldrótt um sofin grey eitt ek þá fann innar góðu konu bundit beðjum á |
And towards morning, when I came back again, the hall retainers were asleep. Then I found only the good woman’s [4] bitch bound to the bed. |
102 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 vættki vífs |
Many a good maid, if you look closely, is fickle-minded towards men; I learned that when [6] I tried to seduce the [5] wise [6] woman to wantonness, [8] the clever maid heaped * [7] her scorn [8] on me, and I got nothing from this woman. |
103 Heima glaðr gumi ok við gesti reifr sviðr skal um sik vera minnigr ok málugr ef hann vill margfróðr vera opt skal góðs geta fimbulfambi heitir sá er fátt kann segja þat er ósnotrs aðal |
At home a man [3] must be [1] glad and cheerful with guests, knowing about himself, mindful and fluent, if he wants to be well-informed; he should often speak of good things. He is called a monstrous fool, the one who knows how to say almost nothing: it is the character of the unwise. |
104 Inn aldna jötum ek sótta nú em ek aptr um kominn fátt gat ek þegjandi þar mörgum orðum mælta ek í minn frama í Suttungs sölum |
I sought the old giant, now I have come back again. I got little from being silent there. With many words I spoke to my own advantage in Suttungr’s hall. |
105 Gunnlöð mér um gaf gullnum stóli á drykk ins dýra mjaðar ill iðgjöld lét ek hana eptir hafa síns ins heila hugar síns ins svára sefa |
Gunnloth gave to me [3] a drink of the precious mead [2] on her golden throne; A bad reward I gave her afterwards for her whole heart, for her sorrowful spirit. |
106 Rata munn létumk rúms um fá ok um grjót gnaga yfir ok undir stóðumk jötna vegir svá hætta ek höfði til |
[2] I let [1] the mouth of the gimlet make space and gnaw through stone; over and under me stood the giants’ paths (rocks): thus I risked my head. |
107 Vel keypts litar hefi ek vel notit fás er fróðum vant því at Óðrerir er nú upp kominn á alda vés jarðar |
[2] I have taken great advantage [1] ? from the well-purchased appearance; * little is lacking to the wise, because Othrerir has now come up ? to Othinn’s sanctuary. * |
108 Ifi er mér á at ek væra enn kominn jötna görðum ór ef ek Gunnlaðar ne nytak innar góðu konu þeirar er lögðumk arm yfir |
Doubtful it is to me that I could have come again out of the giant’s court, if I had not enjoyed Gunnloth, the good woman, over whom I laid my arm. |
109 Ins hindra dags gengu hrímþursar Háva ráðs at fregna Háva höllu í at Bölverki þeir spurðu ef hann væri með böndum kominn eða hefði honum Suttungr of sóit |
On the next day the frost giants went to ask for Har’s advice in Har’s hall: they asked about Bolverkr (the Evil-doer, Othinn), whether he had come back among the gods, or whether Suttungr had sacrificed him. |
110 Baugeið Óðinn hygg ek at unnit hafi hvat skal hans tryggðum trúa? Suttung svikinn hann lét sumbli frá ok grœtta Gunnlöðu |
Othinn, [2] I think, has sworn [1] an oath on the sacred ring — who shall trust in his troth? [5] he had [4] Suttungr cheated of his mead, and made Gunnloth grieve. |
111 Mál er at þylja þular stóli á Urðar brunni at sá ek ok þagðak sá ek ok hugðak hlýdda ek á manna mál of rúnar heyrða ek dœma né um ráðum þögþu Háva höllu at Háva höllu í heyrða ek segja svá |
It is time to recite from the sage’s throne at Urthr’s well; I saw and stayed silent, I saw and reflected, I listened to the speech of men, I heard and learned about runes, nor were they silent in counsels at Har’s hall, in Har’s hall, thus I heard it said — |
112 Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr nótt þú rísat nema á njósn sér eða þú leitir þér innan út staðar |
I advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: don’t get up at night, unless you are on guard or are seeking a place outside for yourself. |
113 Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr fjölkunnigri konu skalattu í faðmi sofa svá at hon lyki þik liðum |
I advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: [6] you must not sleep in the embrace [5] of a woman skilled in magic so that she locks you in her limbs — |
114 Hon svá gørir at þú gáir eigi þings né þjóðans máls mat þú villat né mannskis gaman ferr þú sorgafullr at sofa |
— she will make sure that you do not heed the speech of either Thing (assembly) or king; you will not desire food or mankind’s pleasure; you will go sorrowfully to sleep. (cf. Mæthhild? *) |
115 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 advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: [6] never seduce [5] another’s wife to be your mistress. |
116 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 advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: [6] if you long to travel [5] over mountain or fjord, be sure you have ample food. |
117 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 advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: [6] never allow [5] a bad man to know of your misfortune, because from a bad man you will never get a good return for your good will. |
118 Ofarla bíta ek sá einum hal orð illrar konu; fláráð tunga varð honum at fjörlagi ok þeygi um sanna sök |
[2] I saw a man [1] deeply bitten by the word of a bad woman; her deceit-crafty tongue * was the death of him, and yet the charge was not true. |
119 Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr veiztu ef þú vin átt þanns þú vel trúir farðu at finna opt því at hrísi vex ok hávu grasi vegr er vættki trøðr |
I advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: know this, if you have a friend whom you trust well, go to visit him often, for [9] the path which no-one treads [7] grows with underbrush [8] and high grass. |
120 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 advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: [6] draw [5] a good man to you with pleasant conversation, and learn healing charms while you live. |
121 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 ne náir einhverjum allan hug |
I advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: [6] never be [7] the first to make a breach [5] with your friend. Sorrow eats the heart if you cannot tell someone your whole mind. |
122 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 advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: [6] you must never [5] bandy words with a stupid fool — |
123 því at af illum manni mundu aldregi góðs laun um geta en góðr maðr mun þik gørva mega líknfastan at lofi |
— because [2] you can never [3] get a reward for good [1] from a bad man, but a good man can make you beloved through praise. |
124 Sifjum er þá blandat hverr er segja ræðr einum allan hug alt er betra en sé brigðum at vera era sá vinr öðrum er vilt eitt segir |
Peace and trust are exchanged when one can tell another his whole mind. Anything is better than to be faithless: he is not another’s friend who says only what the friend wants to hear. |
125 Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr þrimr orðum senna skalattu þér við verra mann opt inn betri bilar þá er inn verri vegr |
I advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: [6] you must not [5] dispute even three words with a man less worthy than you: often the better man is defeated when the worser attacks. |
126 Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr skósmiðr þú verir né skeptismiðr nema þú sjálfum þér sér skór er skapaðr illa eða skapt sé rangt þá er þér böls beðit |
I advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: be [6] not [5] a shoe-maker or a shaft-maker, except for yourself alone; if the shoe is badly made or the shaft bent, then misfortune is in store for you. |
127 Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr hvars þú böl kannt kveðu þat bölvi at ok gefat þínum fjándum frið |
I advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: when you come upon misdeeds speak out about those misdeeds, * and give your enemies no peace. |
128 Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr illu feginn verðu aldregi en lát þér at góðu getit |
I advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: [6] never be [5] glad in evil, but let yourself be pleased by good. |
129 Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr upp líta skalattu í orrostu gjalti glíkir verða gumna synir síðr þitt um heilli halir |
I advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: [6] you must not [5] look up in battle — [8] the sons of men become [7] like men terror-crazed — lest men cast spells upon you. * |
130 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 gott ef getr |
I advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: if you want [6] to attract [5] a good woman to you [6] with pleasant talk and take pleasure with her, you must make a fair promise and stick fast to it — no one loathes the good, if he gets it. |
131 Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr varan bið ek þik vera en eigi ofvaran ver þú við öl varastr ok við annars konu ok við þat it þriðja at þjófar ne leiki |
I advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: wary I bid you be, but not too wary: * with ale be the most wary and with another’s woman, and with a third thing, that thieves do not trick you. |
132 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 advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: never mock or laugh at a guest or traveller. |
133 Opt vitu ógörla þeir er sitja inni fyrir hvers þeir ro kyns er koma erat maðr svá góðr at galli ne fylgi né svá illr at einugi dugi |
Often they don’t precisely know, those who sit first in a house, whose kinsmen they are who come (later): no man is so good that no fault follows him, nor so bad that he is of no use. |
134 Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr at hárum þul hlæðu aldregi opt er gott þat er gamlir kveða opt ór skörpum belg skilin orð koma þeim er hangir með hám ok skollir með skrám ok váfir með vílmögum |
I advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: [6] never laugh [5] at a gray-haired sage often what an old man says is good, often [9] clear words come [8] out of shrivelled skin, from the one who hangs among the hides and dangles among the dried skins and moves among the entrails. |
135 Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr gest þú ne geyja né á grind hrekir get þú váluðum vel |
I advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: do not revile a guest nor drive him away from your gates; treat the wretched well. |
136 Rammt er þat tré er ríða skal öllum at upploki baug þú gef eða þat biðja mun þér læs hvers á liðu |
Powerful is that beam that must move from side to side to open for all; give a ring, or it will call down every evil on your limbs. |
137 Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr hvars þú öl drekkr kjós þú þér jarðar megin því at jörð tekr við ölðri en eldr við sóttum eik við abbindi ax við fjölkynngi höll við hýrógi heiptum skal mána kveðja beiti við bitsóttum en við bölvi rúnar fold skal við flóð taka |
I advise you, Loddfafnir, to take advice; you would benefit, it you took it, good will come to you, if you accept it: when you drink ale, choose for yourself the might of the earth, because earth fights against beer, and fire against sickness, oak against constipation, an ear of corn against sorcery, the hall-tree against domestic strife, * — one must invoke the moon against wrathful deeds — alum against bite-sickness and runes against misfortune; the earth must contend against the sea. |
138 Veit ek at ek hekk vindga meiði á nætr allar níu geiri undaðr ok gefinn Óðni sjálfr sjálfum mér á þeim meiði er manngi veit hvers hann af rótum renn |
I know that I hung upon a windy tree for nine whole nights, wounded with a spear and given to Othinn, myself to myself for me; on that tree I knew nothing of what kind of roots it came from. |
139 Við hleifi mik sældu né við hornigi nýsta ek niðr nam ek upp rúnar œpandi nam fell ek aptr þaðan |
They cheered me with a loaf and not with any horn, I investigated down below, I took up the runes, screaming I took them, and I fell back from there. |
140 Fimbulljóð níu nam ek af inum frægja syni Bölþórs Bestlu föður ok ek drykk of gat ins dýra mjaðar ausinn Óðreri |
[2] I took [1] nine mighty spells from the famous son of Bolthorr, the father of Bestla, and I got a drink of the precious mead, poured from Othrerir. |
141 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 I began [2] to be [1] fruitful [2] and wise, to grow and to flourish; speech fetched my speech for speech, action fetched my action for action. |
142 Rúnar munt þú finna ok ráðna stafi mjök stóra stafi mjök stinna stafi er fáði fimbulþulr ok gørðu ginnregin ok reist Hroptr rögna |
You can find runes and meaning staves, very mighty staves, very strong staves, which a mighty sage coloured and mighty powers made, and Hroptr of the gods carved. |
143 Óðinn með ásum en fyr álfum Dáinn ok Dvalinn dvergum fyrir Ásviðr jötnum fyrir ek reist sjálfr sumar |
Othinn among the gods, Dainn for the elves and Dvalinn for the dwarves, Asvithr for the giants — I myself carved some. |
144 Veiztu hvé rísta skal? Veiztu hvé ráða skal? Veiztu hvé fá skal? Veiztu hvé freista skal? Veiztu hvé biðja skal? Veiztu hvé blóta skal? Veiztu hvé senda skal? Veiztu hvé sóa skal? |
Do you know how you must cut [them]? Do you know how you must interpret? Do you know how you must colour? Do you know how you must try? Do you know how you must invoke? Do you know how you must sacrifice? Do you know how you must send? Do you know how you must kill? |
145 Betra er óbeðit en sé ofblótit ey sér til gildis gjöf betra er ósent en sé ofsóit svá Þundr um reist fyr þjóða rök þar hann upp um reis er hann aptr of kom |
It is better that it be not invoked than over-sacrificed, the gift is always for the repayment, it is better that it be not sent than over-immolated. So Thundr carved before the history of the peoples, when he rose up and when he came back. |
146 Ljóð ek þau kann er kannat þjóðans kona ok mannskis mögr hjálp heitir eitt en þat þér hjálpa mun við sökum ok sorgum ok sútum görvöllum |
I know the songs that no ruler’s wife knows, nor anyone’s son: the first is called “Help”, and it will help you with disputes and griefs and absolutely all sorrows. |
147 Þat kann ek annat er þurfu ýta synir þeir er vilja læknar lifa |
I know a second which the sons of men need, those who want to live as physicians. |
148 Þat kann ek it þriðja ef mér verðr þörf mikil hapts við mína heiptmögu eggjar ek deyfi minna andskota bítat þeim vápn né velir |
I know the third: if great need befalls me for a fetter for my enemy, I can blunt the edges of my enemies, that weapons and staves do not bite for them. |
149 Þat kann ek it fjórða ef mér fyrðar bera bönd at bóglimum svá ek gel at ek ganga má sprettr mér af fótum fjöturr en af höndum hapt |
I know the fourth: if men put fetters on my limbs, I sing so that I can go: fetter springs from my feet and bond from my hands. (cf. Imma *) |
150 Þat kann ek it fimmta ef ek sé af fári skotinn flein í fólki vaða flýgra hann svá stinnt at ek stöðvigak ef ek hann sjónum of sék |
I know the fifth: if I see [3] a spear, [2] shot in malice to fly into a host, it does not fly so strongly that I cannot stop it, if I catch sight of it. |
151 Þat kann ek it sétta ef mik særir þegn á rótum rams viðar ok þann hal er mik heipta kveðr þann eta mein heldr en mik |
I know the sixth: if a warrior wounds me with the root of a strong tree * and calls forth hatreds from me, then the harms eat the man and not me. |
152 Þat kann ek it sjaunda ef ek sé hávan loga sal um sessmögum brennrat svá breitt at ek honum bjargigak þann kann ek galdr at gala |
I know the seventh: if I see a high [3] hall [2] to burn [3] around my table-companions, it does not burn so bright that I cannot save it, when I can sing the spell. |
153 Þat kann ek it átta er öllum er nytsamligt at nema hvars hatr vex með hildings sonum þat má ek bœta brátt |
I know the eighth, which [3] is useful [2] for all to take: wherever hatred grows among the sons of the prince, I can quickly cure it. |
154 Þat kann ek it níunda ef mik nauðr um stendr at bjarga fari mínu á floti vind ek kyrri vági á ok svæfik allan sæ |
I know the ninth: if I need to save my ship afloat I can calm the wind on the wave and lull the whole sea to sleep. |
155 Þat kann ek it tíunda ef ek sé túnriðir leika lopti á ek svá vinnk at þeir villir fara sinna heimhama sinna heimhuga |
I know the tenth: if I see witches playing in the air, I can so arrange it that they go astray from their proper shapes and proper thoughts. |
156 Þat kann ek it ellipta ef ek skal til orrostu leiða langvini undir randir ek gel en þeir með ríki fara heilir hildar til heilir hildi frá koma þeir heilir hvaðan |
I know the eleventh: if I must [3] lead old friends [2] to battle, I sing under the shields, and they go victoriously: safe to the battle, safe from the battle, they come safe from everywhere. |
157 Þat kann ek it tólpta ef ek sé á tré uppi váfa virgilná svá ek ríst ok í rúnum fák at sá gengr gumi ok mælir við mik |
I know the twelfth: if I see up in a tree a hanged corpse swinging, I carve and colour the runes that the man moves and speaks with me. |
158 Þat kann ek it þrettánda ef ek skal þegn ungan verpa vatni á munat hann falla þótt hann í fólk komi hnígra sá halr fyr hjörum |
I know the thirteenth: if I will [3] throw water [2] on a young warrior, he cannot fall, though he may come to battle the man does not fall before swords. |
159 Þat kann ek it fjórtánda ef ek skal fyrða liði telja tíva fyrir ása ok álfa ek kann allra skil fár kann ósnotr svá |
I know the fourteenth: if I must [3] reckon up [2] a troop [3] before gods [2] and men, [5] I know the details of all [4] the Æsir and the Elves — the unwise man knows that not at all. |
160 Þat kann ek it fimmtánda er gól Þjóðreyrir dvergr fyr Dellings durum afl gól hann ásum en álfum frama hyggju Hroptatý |
I know the fifteenth, which Thjothreyrir sang, the dwarf, before the doors of Dellingr: He sang the might of the gods, the courage of the elves, the understanding of Hroptatyr. |
161 Þat kann ek it sextánda ef ek vil ins svinna mans hafa geð alt ok gaman hugi ek hverfi hvítarmri konu ok sný ek hennar öllum sefa |
I know the sixteenth: if I wish [3] to have all the heart and pleasure [2] of a cunning girl, I turn the feelings of the white-armed woman, and I change the whole of her mind. |
162 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 |
I know the seventeenth, that [3] the youthful maid [2] will never avoid me; [5] Loddfafnir, you will [6] be lacking [4] these charms [6] for a long time, though it be good for you if you get them, useful if you take them, needful if you receive them. |
163 Þat kann ek it átjánda er ek æva kennik mey né manns konu alt er betra er einn um kann þat fylgir ljóða lokum nema þeiri einni er mik armi verr eða mín systir sé |
I know the eighteenth, which I never teach to maid or man’s wife, — everything is better when one person understands it, it belongs at the ending of spells — to none but she alone who is wrapped in my arm or is my sister. * |
164 Nú era 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 the sayings of Har are spoken in Har’s hall, very needful to the sons of men, harmful to the sons of giants. Hail to him who spoke! Hail to him who understands! Let him benefit who took them! Blessings on those who listened! |