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The Hávamál (Sayings of Hár, Sayings of the high one) is one of
the poems of the Poetic Edda. It sets out a set of guidelines for
wise living and survival; some verses are written from the perspective
of Odin (particularly towards the end, where it segues into an
account of Odin's obtaining of the magical runes and the spells he
learned). This is Olive Bray's English translation.
Wisdom for Wanderers and Counsel to
Guests
1. At every door-way, ere one
enters, one should spy round, one should pry round for
uncertain is the witting that there be no foeman
sitting, within, before one on the floor
2. Hail, ye Givers! a guest is come;
say! where shall he sit within? Much pressed is he who fain
on the hearth would seek for warmth and weal.
3. He hath need of fire, who now is
come, numbed with cold to the knee; food and clothing the
wanderer craves who has fared o'er the rimy fell.
4. He craves for water, who comes for
refreshment, drying and friendly bidding, marks of good
will, fair fame if 'tis won, and welcome once and again.
5. He hath need of his wits who wanders
wide, aught simple will serve at home; but a gazing-stock is
the fool who sits mid the wise, and nothing knows.
6. Let no man glory in the greatness of
his mind, but rather keep watch o'er his wits. Cautious and
silent let him enter a dwelling; to the heedful comes seldom
harm, for none can find a more faithful friend than the
wealth of mother wit.
7. Let the wary stranger who seeks
refreshment keep silent with sharpened hearing; with his
ears let him listen, and look with his eyes; thus each wise man
spies out the way.
8. Happy is he who wins for himself
fair fame and kindly words; but uneasy is that which a man
doth own while it lies in another's breast.
9. Happy is he who hath in himself
praise and wisdom in life; for oft doth a man ill counsel
get when 'tis born in another's breast.
10. A better burden can no man bear
on the way than his mother wit; 'tis the refuge of the poor,
and richer it seems than wealth in a world untried.
11. A better burden can no man bear
on the way than his mother wit: and no worse provision can
he carry with him than too deep a draught of ale.
12. Less good than they say for the sons
of men is the drinking oft of ale: for the more they drink,
the less can they think and keep a watch o'er their wits.
13. A bird of Unmindfulness flutters
o'er ale feasts, wiling away men's wits: with the feathers
of that fowl I was fettered once in the garths of Gunnlos below.
14. Drunk was I then, I was over drunk
in that crafty Jötun's court. But best is an ale feast when
man is able to call back his wits at once.
15. Silent and thoughtful and bold in
strife the prince's bairn should be. Joyous and generous let
each man show him until he shall suffer death.
16. A coward believes he will ever live
if he keep him safe from strife: but old age leaves him not
long in peace though spears may spare his life.
17. A fool will gape when he goes to a
friend, and mumble only, or mope; but pass him the ale cup
and all in a moment the mind of that man is shown.
18. He knows alone who has wandered
wide, and far has fared on the way, what manner of mind a
man doth own who is wise of head and heart.
19. Keep not the mead cup but drink thy
measure; speak needful words or none: none shall upbraid
thee for lack of breeding if soon thou seek'st thy rest.
20. A greedy man, if he be not mindful,
eats to his own life's hurt: oft the belly of the fool will
bring him to scorn when he seeks the circle of the wise.
21. Herds know the hour of their going
home and turn them again from the grass; but never is found
a foolish man who knows the measure of his maw.
22. The miserable man and evil minded
makes of all things mockery, and knows not that which he
best should know, that he is not free from faults.
23. The unwise man is awake all night,
and ponders everything over; when morning comes he is weary
in mind, and all is a burden as ever.
24. The unwise man weens all who smile
and flatter him are his friends, nor notes how oft they
speak him ill when he sits in the circle of the wise.
25. The unwise man weens all who smile
and flatter him are his friends; but when he shall come into
court he shall find there are few to defend his cause.
26. The unwise man thinks all to know,
while he sits in a sheltered nook; but he knows not one
thing, what he shall answer, if men shall put him to proof.
27. For the unwise man 'tis best to be
mute when he come amid the crowd, for none is aware of his
lack of wit if he wastes not too many words; for he who
lacks wit shall never learn though his words flow ne'er so fast.
28. Wise he is deemed who can question
well, and also answer back: the sons of men can no secret
make of the tidings told in their midst.
29. Too many unstable words are spoken
by him who ne'er holds his peace; the hasty tongue sings its
own mishap if it be not bridled in.
30. Let no man be held as a
laughing-stock, though he come as guest for a meal: wise
enough seem many while they sit dry-skinned and are not put to
proof.
31. A guest thinks him witty who mocks
at a guest and runs from his wrath away; but none can be
sure who jests at a meal that he makes not fun among foes.
32. Oft, though their hearts lean
towards one another, friends are divided at table; ever the
source of strife 'twill be, that guest will anger guest.
33. A man should take always his meals
betimes unless he visit a friend, or he sits and mopes, and
half famished seems, and can ask or answer nought.
34. Long is the round to a false friend
leading, e'en if he dwell on the way: but though far off
fared, to a faithful friend straight are the roads and
short.
35. A guest must depart again on his
way, nor stay in the same place ever; if he bide too long on
another's bench the loved one soon becomes loathed.
36. One's own house is best, though
small it may be; each man is master at home; though he have
but two goats and a bark-thatched hut 'tis better than craving a
boon.
37. One's own house is best, though
small it may be, each man is master at home; with a bleeding
heart will he beg, who must, his meat at every meal.
38. Let a man never stir on his road a
step without his weapons of war; for unsure is the knowing
when need shall arise of a spear on the way without.
39. I found none so noble or free with
his food, who was not gladdened with a gift, nor one who gave
of his gifts such store but he loved reward, could he win
it.
40. Let no man stint him and suffer need
of the wealth he has won in life; oft is saved for a foe
what was meant for a friend, and much goes worse than one weens.
41. With raiment and arms shall friends
gladden each other, so has one proved oneself; for friends
last longest, if fate be fair who give and give again.
42. To his friend a man should bear him
as friend, and gift for gift bestow, laughter for laughter let
him exchange, but leasing pay for a lie.
43. To his friend a man should bear him
as friend, to him and a friend of his; but let him beware that
he be not the friend of one who is friend to his foe.
44. Hast thou a friend whom thou
trustest well, from whom thou cravest good? Share thy mind
with him, gifts exchange with him, fare to find him oft.
45. But hast thou one whom thou trustest
ill yet from whom thou cravest good? Thou shalt speak him
fair, but falsely think, and leasing pay for a lie.
46. Yet further of him whom thou trusted
ill, and whose mind thou dost misdoubt; thou shalt laugh with
him but withhold thy thought, for gift with like gift should be
paid.
47. Young was I once, I walked alone,
and bewildered seemed in the way; then I found me another
and rich I thought me, for man is the joy of man.
48. Most blest is he who lives free and
bold and nurses never a grief, for the fearful man is dismayed
by aught, and the mean one mourns over giving.
49. My garments once I gave in the
field to two land-marks made as men; heroes they seemed when
once they were clothed; 'tis the naked who suffer shame!
50. The pine tree wastes which is
perched on the hill, nor bark nor needles shelter it; such
is the man whom none doth love; for what should he longer
live?
51. Fiercer than fire among ill friends
for five days love will burn; bun anon 'tis quenched, when
the sixth day comes, and all friendship soon is spoiled.
52. Not great things alone must one give
to another, praise oft is earned for nought; with half a loaf
and a tilted bowl I have found me many a friend.
53. Little the sand if little the seas,
little are minds of men, for ne'er in the world were all
equally wise, 'tis shared by the fools and the sage.
54. Wise in measure let each man
be; but let him not wax too wise; for never the happiest of
men is he who knows much of many things.
55. Wise in measure should each man be;
but let him not wax too wise; seldom a heart will sing with
joy if the owner be all too wise.
56. Wise in measure should each man be,
but ne'er let him wax too wise: who looks not forward to
learn his fate unburdened heart will bear.
57. Brand kindles from brand until it be
burned, spark is kindled from spark, man unfolds him by speech
with man, but grows over secret through silence.
58. He must rise betimes who fain of
another or life or wealth would win; scarce falls the prey to
sleeping wolves, or to slumberers victory in strife.
59. He must rise betimes who hath few to
serve him, and see to his work himself; who sleeps at
morning is hindered much, to the keen is wealth half-won.
60. Of dry logs saved and roof-bark
stored a man can know the measure, of fire-wood too which
should last him out quarter and half years to come.
61. Fed and washed should one ride to
court though in garments none too new; thou shalt not shame
thee for shoes or breeks, nor yet for a sorry steed.
62. Like an eagle swooping over old
ocean, snatching after his prey, so comes a man into court
who finds there are few to defend his cause.
63. Each man who is wise and would wise
be called must ask and answer aright. Let one know thy
secret, but never a second, -- if three a thousand shall
know.
64. A wise counselled man will be mild
in bearing and use his might in measure, lest when he come his
fierce foes among he find others fiercer than he.
65. Each man should be watchful and wary
in speech, and slow to put faith in a friend. for the words
which one to another speaks he may win reward of ill.
66. At many a feast I was far too
late, and much too soon at some; drunk was the ale or yet
unserved: never hits he the joint who is hated.
67. Here and there to a home I had haply
been asked had I needed no meat at my meals, or were two hams
left hanging in the house of that friend where I had partaken of
one.
68. Most dear is fire to the sons of
men, most sweet the sight of the sun; good is health if one
can but keep it, and to live a life without shame.
69. Not reft of all is he who is ill,
for some are blest in their bairns, some in their kin and
some in their wealth, and some in working well.
70. More blest are the living than the
lifeless, 'tis the living who come by the cow; I saw the
hearth-fire burn in the rich man's hall and himself lying dead at
the door.
71. The lame can ride horse, the
handless drive cattle, the deaf one can fight and
prevail, 'tis happier for the blind than for him on the
bale-fire, but no man hath care for a corpse.
72. Best have a son though he be late
born and before him the father be dead: seldom are stones on
the wayside raised save by kinsmen to kinsmen.
73. Two are hosts against one, the
tongue is the head's bane, 'neath a rough hide a hand may be
hid; he is glad at nightfall who knows of his lodging, short
is the ship's berth, and changeful the autumn night, much
veers the wind ere the fifth day and blows round yet more in a
month.
74. He that learns nought will never
know how one is the fool of another, for if one be rich
another is poor and for that should bear no blame.
75. Cattle die and kinsmen
die, thyself too soon must die, but one thing never, I ween,
will die, -- fair fame of one who has earned.
76. Cattle die and kinsmen die,
thyself too soon must die, but one thing never, I ween, will
die, -- the doom on each one dead.
77. Full-stocked folds had the Fatling's
sons, who bear now a beggar's staff: brief is wealth, as the
winking of an eye, most faithless ever of friends.
78. If haply a fool should find for
himself wealth or a woman's love, pride waxes in him but
wisdom never and onward he fares in his folly.
79. All will prove true that thou askest
of runes -- those that are come from the gods, which the
high Powers wrought, and which Odin painted: then silence is
surely best.
[size=medium]Maxims for All
Men[/size]
80. Praise day at even, a wife when
dead, a weapon when tried, a maid when married, ice when 'tis
crossed, and ale when 'tis drunk. 81. Hew wood in wind, sail
the seas in a breeze, woo a maid in the dark, -- for day's eyes
are many, -- work a ship for its gliding, a shield for its
shelter, a sword for its striking, a maid for her kiss;
82. Drink ale by the fire, but slide on
the ice; buy a steed when 'tis lanky, a sword when 'tis
rusty; feed thy horse neath a roof, and thy hound in the yard.
83. The speech of a maiden should no man
trust nor the words which a woman says; for their hearts were
shaped on a whirling wheel and falsehood fixed in their breasts.
84. Breaking bow, or flaring
flame, ravening wolf, or croaking raven, routing swine, or
rootless tree, waxing wave, or seething cauldron,
85. flying arrows, or falling
billow, ice of a nighttime, coiling adder, woman's bed-talk,
or broken blade, play of bears or a prince's child,
86. sickly calf or self-willed
thrall, witch's flattery, new-slain foe, brother's slayer,
though seen on the highway, half burned house, or horse too swift
-- be never so trustful as these to trust.
87. Let none put faith in the first sown
fruit nor yet in his son too soon; whim rules the child, and
weather the field, each is open to chance.
88. Like the love of women whose thoughts
are lies is the driving un-roughshod o'er slippery ice of a
two year old, ill-tamed and gay; or in a wild wind steering a
helmless ship, or the lame catching reindeer in the rime-thawed
fell.
[size=medium]Lessons for
Lovers[/size]
89. Now plainly I speak, since both I
have seen; unfaithful is man to maid; we speak them fairest
when thoughts are falsest and wile the wisest of hearts.
90. -- Let him speak soft words and offer wealth who longs
for a woman's love, praise the shape of the shining maid -- he
wins who thus doth woo.
91. -- Never a whit should one blame
another whom love hath brought into bonds: oft a witching form
will fetch the wise which holds not the heart of fools.
92. Never a whit should one blame
another for a folly which many befalls; the might of love
makes sons of men into fools who once were wise.
93. The mind knows alone what is nearest
the heart and sees where the soul is turned: no sickness seems
to the wise so sore as in nought to know content.
[size=medium]Odin's Love
Quests[/size]
94. This once I felt when I sat
without in the reeds, and looked for my love; body and soul of
me was that sweet maiden yet never I won her as wife.
95. Billing's daughter I found on her
bed, fairer than sunlight sleeping, and the sweets of lordship
seemed to me nought, save I lived with that lovely form.
96. "Yet nearer evening come thou,
Odin, if thou wilt woo a maiden: all were undone save two knew
alone such a secret deed of shame."
97. So away I turned from my wise
intent, and deemed my joy assured, for all her liking and all
her love I weened that I yet should win.
98. When I came ere long the war troop
bold were watching and waking all: with burning brands and
torches borne they showed me my sorrowful way.
99. Yet nearer morning I went, once more,
-- the housefolk slept in the hall, but soon I found a barking
dog tied fast to that fair maid's couch.
100. Many a sweet maid when one knows her
mind is fickle found towards men: I proved it well when that
prudent lass I sought to lead astray: shrewd maid, she sought
me with every insult and I won therewith no wife.
[size=medium]Odin's Quest after the Song
Mead[/size]
101. In thy home be joyous and generous
to guests discreet shalt thou be in thy bearing, mindful and
talkative, wouldst thou gain wisdom, oft making me mention of
good. He is "Simpleton" named who has nought to say, for such
is the fashion of fools.
102. I sought that old Jötun, now safe am
I back, little served my silence there; but whispering many
soft speeches I won my desire in Suttung's halls.
103. I bored me a road there with Rati's
tusk and made room to pass through the rock; while the ways of
the Jötuns stretched over and under, I dared my life for a
draught.
104. 'Twas Gunnlod who gave me on a
golden throne a draught of the glorious mead, but with poor
reward did I pay her back for her true and troubled heart.
105. In a wily disguise I worked my
will; little is lacking to the wise, for the Soul-stirrer now,
sweet Mead of Song, is brought to men's earthly abode.
106. I misdoubt me if ever again I had
come from the realms of the Jötun race, had I not served me of
Gunnlod, sweet woman, her whom I held in mine arms.
107. Came forth, next day, the dread
Frost Giants, and entered the High One's Hall: they asked --
was the Baleworker back mid the Powers, or had Suttung slain him
below?
108. A ring-oath Odin I trow had taken
-- how shall one trust his troth? 'twas he who stole the mead
from Suttung, and Gunnlod caused to weep.
[size=medium]The Counseling of the
Stray-Singer[/size]
109. 'Tis time to speak from the Sage's
Seat; hard by the Well of Weird I saw and was silent, I saw
and pondered, I listened to the speech of men.
110. Of runes they spoke, and the reading
of runes was little withheld from their lips: at the High
One's hall, in the High One's hall, I thus heard the High One
say: --
111. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: rise never at nighttime,
except thou art spying or seekest a spot without.
112. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: thou shalt never sleep in
the arms of a sorceress, lest she should lock thy limbs;
113. So shall she charm that thou shalt
not heed the council, or words of the king, nor care for thy
food, or the joys of mankind, but fall into sorrowful sleep.
114. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: seek not ever to draw to
thyself in love-whispering another's wife.
115. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: should thou long to fare
over fell and firth provide thee well with food.
116. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: tell not ever an evil
man if misfortunes thee befall, from such ill friend thou
needst never seek return for thy trustful mind.
117. Wounded to death, have I seen a
man by the words of an evil woman; a lying tongue had bereft
him of life, and all without reason of right.
118. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: hast thou a friend whom
thou trustest well, fare thou to find him oft; for with
brushwood grows and with grasses high the path where no foot doth
pass.
119. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: in sweet converse call
the righteous to thy side, learn a healing song while thou
livest.
120. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: be never the first with
friend of thine to break the bond of fellowship; care shall
gnaw thy heart if thou canst not tell all thy mind to another.
121. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: never in speech with a
foolish knave shouldst thou waste a single word.
122. From the lips of such thou needst
not look for reward of thine own good will; but a righteous
man by praise will render thee firm in favour and love.
123. There is mingling in friendship when
man can utter all his whole mind to another; there is nought
so vile as a fickle tongue; no friend is he who but flatters.
124. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: oft the worst lays the
best one low.
125. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: be not a shoemaker nor
yet a shaft maker save for thyself alone: let the shoe be
misshapen, or crooked the shaft, and a curse on thy head will be
called.
126. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: when in peril thou seest
thee, confess thee in peril, nor ever give peace to thy foes.
127. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: rejoice not ever at
tidings of ill, but glad let thy soul be in good.
128. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: look not up in battle,
when men are as beasts, lest the wights bewitch thee with spells.
129. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: wouldst thou win joy of a
gentle maiden, and lure to whispering of love, thou shalt make
fair promise, and let it be fast, -- none will scorn their weal
who can win it.
130. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: I pray thee be wary, yet
not too wary, be wariest of all with ale, with another's wife,
and a third thing eke, that knaves outwit thee never.
131. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: hold not in scorn, nor
mock in thy halls a guest or wandering wight.
132. They know but unsurely who sit
within what manner of man is come: none is found so good, but
some fault attends him, or so ill but he serves for somewhat.
133. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: hold never in scorn the
hoary singer; oft the counsel of the old is good; come words
of wisdom from the withered lips of him left to hang among
hides, to rock with the rennets and swing with the skins.
134. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: growl not at guests, nor
drive them from the gate but show thyself gentle to the poor.
135. Mighty is the bar to be moved
away for the entering in of all. Shower thy wealth, or men
shall wish thee every ill in thy limbs.
136. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept
my counsels, they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they
will work thy weal if thou win'st them: when ale thou quaffest,
call upon earth's might -- 'tis earth drinks in the
floods. Earth prevails o'er drink, but fire o'er sickness, the
oak o'er binding, the earcorn o'er witchcraft, the rye spur o'er
rupture, the moon o'er rages, herb o'er cattle plagues, runes
o'er harm.
[size=medium]Odin's Quest after the
Runes[/size]
137. I trow I hung on that windy
Tree nine whole days and nights, stabbed with a spear, offered
to Odin, myself to mine own self given, high on that Tree of
which none hath heard from what roots it rises to heaven.
138. None refreshed me ever with food or
drink, I peered right down in the deep; crying aloud I lifted
the Runes then back I fell from thence.
139. Nine mighty songs I learned from the
great son of Bale-thorn, Bestla's sire; I drank a measure of
the wondrous Mead, with the Soulstirrer's drops I was showered.
140. Ere long I bare fruit, and throve
full well, I grew and waxed in wisdom; word following word, I
found me words, deed following deed, I wrought deeds.
141. Hidden Runes shalt thou seek and
interpreted signs, many symbols of might and power, by the
great Singer painted, by the high Powers fashioned, graved by the
Utterer of gods.
142. For gods graved Odin, for elves
graved Daïn, Dvalin the Dallier for dwarfs, All-wise for
Jötuns, and I, of myself, graved some for the sons of men.
143. Dost know how to write, dost know
how to read, dost know how to paint, dost know how to
prove, dost know how to ask, dost know how to offer, dost know
how to send, dost know how to spend?
144. Better ask for too little than offer
too much, like the gift should be the boon; better not to send
than to overspend. ........ Thus Odin graved ere the world
began; Then he rose from the deep, and came again.
[size=medium]The Song of
Spells[/size]
145. Those songs I know, which nor sons
of men nor queen in a king's court knows; the first is Help
which will bring thee help in all woes and in sorrow and
strife.
146. A second I know, which the son of
men must sing, who would heal the sick.
147. A third I know: if sore need should
come of a spell to stay my foes; when I sing that song, which
shall blunt their swords, nor their weapons nor staves can
wound.
148. A fourth I know: if men make
fast in chains the joints of my limbs, when I sing that song
which shall set me free, spring the fetters from hands and
feet.
149. A fifth I know: when I see, by foes
shot, speeding a shaft through the host, flies it never so
strongly I still can stay it, if I get but a glimpse of its
flight.
150. A sixth I know: when some thane
would harm me in runes on a moist tree's root, on his head
alone shall light the ills of the curse that he called upon
mine.
151. A seventh I know: if I see a
hall high o'er the bench-mates blazing, flame it ne'er so
fiercely I still can save it, -- I know how to sing that
song.
152. An eighth I know: which all can
sing for their weal if they learn it well; where hate shall
wax 'mid the warrior sons, I can calm it soon with that song.
153. A ninth I know: when need befalls
me to save my vessel afloat, I hush the wind on the stormy
wave, and soothe all the sea to rest.
154. A tenth I know: when at night the
witches ride and sport in the air, such spells I weave that
they wander home out of skins and wits bewildered.
155. An eleventh I know: if haply I
lead my old comrades out to war, I sing 'neath the shields,
and they fare forth mightily safe into battle, safe out of
battle, and safe return from the strife.
156. A twelfth I know: if I see in a
tree a corpse from a halter hanging, such spells I write, and
paint in runes, that the being descends and speaks.
157. A thirteenth I know: if the new-born
son of a warrior I sprinkle with water, that youth will not
fail when he fares to war, never slain shall he bow before
sword.
158. A fourteenth I know: if I needs must
number the Powers to the people of men, I know all the nature
of gods and of elves which none can know untaught.
159. A fifteenth I know, which
Folk-stirrer sang, the dwarf, at the gates of Dawn; he sang
strength to the gods, and skill to the elves, and wisdom to Odin
who utters.
160. A sixteenth I know: when all
sweetness and love I would win from some artful wench, her
heart I turn, and the whole mind change of that fair-armed lady I
love.
161. A seventeenth I know: so that e'en
the shy maiden is slow to shun my love.
162. These songs, Stray-Singer, which
man's son knows not, long shalt thou lack in life, though thy
weal if thou win'st them, thy boon if thou obey'st them thy good
if haply thou gain'st them.
163. An eighteenth I know: which I ne'er
shall tell to maiden or wife of man save alone to my sister,
or haply to her who folds me fast in her arms; most safe are
secrets known to but one- the songs are sung to an end.
164. Now the sayings of the High One are
uttered in the hall for the weal of men, for the woe of
Jötuns, Hail, thou who hast spoken! Hail, thou that
knowest! Hail, ye that have hearkened! Use, thou who hast
learned!
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