Hávamál

The poem is conventionally divided into sections, indicated by the Roman numerals:

I (1-83) Gestaþáttr or Guest's Section

II (84-102): On women's faithlessness and advice for seduction

III (103-10): a version of the story of Óðin's dealings with Gunnlǫð to win the mead of poetry. This and the story of Billing's daughter at the end of the previous section are sometimes classed together as Óðin's Examples or Óðin's Love Quests.

IV (111-37): Loddfáfnismál or Lay of Loddfáfnir

V (138-45 ) Rúnatal or Rune Poem

VI (146-64): Ljóðatal

I.

1.
Gáttir allar, All entrances,
áðr gangi fram, before going forward,
um skoðask skyli, should be looked for all around,
um skyggnast skyli, should be examined all around,
því at óvíst er at vita, because it cannot be known for sure
hvar óvinir where enemies
sitja á fleti fyrir. sit in the room beyond.

2.
Gefendr heilir! Hail to the givers!
Gestr er inn kominn, A guest has come in,
hvar skal sitja sjá? Where should he sit?
Mjök er bráðr, He is extremely eager,
sá er á bröndum skal he who must sit by the logs,[1]
síns of freista frama. try for his advancement.

3.
Elds er þörf, There is need of fire
þeims inn er kominn for the one who has come in
ok á kné kalinn; and [is] chilled to the knee;
matar ok váða food and clothing
er manni þörf, are needed by a person
þeim er hefr um fjall farit. who has travelled over the fell.

4.
Vatns er þörf, There is need of water
þeim er til verðar kemr, for him who has come to dinner,
þerru ok þjóðlaðar, a towel and a generous invitation,
góðs of æðis, in good will,
ef sér geta mætti, if he might receive that,
orðs ok endrþögu. a word and a listening ear.[2]

5.
Vits er þörf, There is need of wits
þeim er víða ratar; for him who fares far;
dælt er heima hvat; things are simple at home;
at augabragði verðr, but will have eyebrows raised at him
sá er ekki kann he who knows nothing[3]
ok með snotrum sitr. and sits with the wise.

6.
At hyggjandi sinni About his wisdom
skyli-t maðr hræsinn vera, A person should not be boastful,
heldr gætinn at geði; rather heedful in attitude;[4]
þá er horskr ok þögull When, experienced and of few words,
kemr heimisgarða til, he comes back to his homestead,
sjaldan verðr víti vörum, there will seldom be a claim against the

circumspect one,
því at óbrigðra vin because a more faithful[5] friend
fær maðr aldregi a person never gets
en mannvit mikit. than great good sense.[6]

7.
Inn vari gestr, The wary guest
er til verðar kemr, who comes to a meal
þunnu hljóði þegir, with sharpened hearing keeps silent,
eyrum hlýðir, listens with his ears
en augum skoðar; and looks with his eyes;
svá nýsisk fróðra hverr fyrir. thus every wise one spies out for himself

what is ahead.

8.
Hinn er sæll, Happy is he
er sér of getr who garners for himself
lof ok líknstafi; praise and soothing words[7];
ódælla er við þat, less straightforward are matters

concerning
er maðr eiga skal what a person should own
annars brjóstum í. in another's breast.

9.
Sá er sæll, Thus happy is he
er sjalfr of á who himself is in possession of
lof ok vit, meðan lifir; praise and wits, while he lives;
því at ill ráð because bad advice
hefr maðr oft þegit a person has often drawn
annars brjóstum ór. from out of another's breast.

10.
Byrði betri No better burden
berr-at maðr brautu at bears any person on the road
en sé mannvit mikit; than is great good sense;
auði betra better than wealth
þykkir þat í ókunnum stað; that is held to be, in an unfamiliar place;
slíkt er válaðs vera. such is poor people's existence.

11.
Byrði betri No better burden
berr-at maðr brautu at bears any person on the road
en sé mannvit mikit; than is great good sense;
vegnest verra no worse kit
vegr-a hann velli at does he tote on the plain
en sé ofdrykkja öls. than is over-drinking of ale.

12.
Er-a svá gótt Is not so good
sem gótt kveða as it is said to be good
öl alda sona, ale for the sons of men,
því at færa veit, because the man knows less,
er fleira drekkr the more he drinks,
síns til geðs gumi. his own mind.[8]

13.
Óminnishegri heitir It is called the heron of forgetfulness[9]
sá er yfir ölðrum þrumir, that hangs over ale-drinking,
hann stelr geði guma; it steals men's minds;
þess fugls fjöðrum with this fowl's feathers
ek fjötraðr vark I was fettered
í garði Gunnlaðar. In Gunnlǫð's garth.[10]

14.
Ölr ek varð, Ale-besotted I became,
varð ofrölvi became the worse for drink
at ins fróða Fjalars; at wise Fjalar's dwelling;
því er ölðr bazt, therefore as regards ale the best thing is
at aftr of heimtir that afterwards every person
hverr sitt geð gumi. gets back his mind.

15.
Þagalt ok hugalt Sparing of speech and thoughtful
skyli þjóðans barn a chieftain's child must
ok vígdjarft vera; be, and doughty in battle;
glaðr ok reifr glad and cheerful
skyli gumna hverr, must every person be,
unz sinn bíðr bana. until it comes to his death.

16.
Ósnjallr maðr A man who is lacking[11]
hyggsk munu ey lifa, thinks he will live forever
ef hann við víg varask; if he guards himself against battle;
en elli gefr but age gives
hánum engi frið, him no peace,[12]
þótt hánum geirar gefi. even though spears do.

17.
Kópir afglapi A fool gapes
er til kynnis kemr, when he visits someone he knows,
þylsk hann um eða þrumir; mumbles or mopes;
allt er senn, if he gets hold of a drink,
ef hann sylg of getr, at once it's all
uppi er þá geð guma. up with the person's wits.

18.
Sá einn veit He only knows
er víða ratar who ranges widely
ok hefr fjölð of farit, and has been through much
hverju geði what kind of a mind
stýrir gumna hverr, each person has at their disposal,
sá er vitandi er vits. he who is knowledgeable about

knowing.

19.
Haldi-t maðr á keri, Let a person not hold onto the bowl,
drekki þó at hófi mjöð, but rather drink mead in moderation,
mæli þarft eða þegi, speak usefully or hold his peace,
ókynnis þess for unsociability
vár þik engi maðr, no one [will] blame[13] you,
at þú gangir snemma at sofa. if you go early to bed.

20.
Gráðugr halr, A greedy man,
nema geðs viti, unless he knows his mind,[14]
etr sér aldrtrega; eats himself into deadly sorrow;
oft fær hlægis, often his belly gets him mocked,
er með horskum kemr, the foolish man,
manni heimskum magi. when he comes among wise people.

21.
Hjarðir þat vitu, Herds know it
nær þær heim skulu, when they should go home
ok ganga þá af grasi; and then they leave the grass;
en ósviðr maðr but the unwise human
kann ævagi never knows
síns of mál maga. the measure of his stomach.

22.
Vesall maðr A wretched[15] person
ok illa skapi and bad-tempered
hlær at hvívetna; mocks everything;
hittki hann veit, He does not know it,
er hann vita þyrfti, what he needed to know,
at hann er-a vamma vanr. that he is not lacking in flaws.

23.
Ósviðr maðr The unwise man
vakir um allar nætr stays awake every night
ok hyggr at hvívetna; and thinking about everything;
þá er móðr, then he is tired
er at morgni kemr, when it comes to be daybreak,
allt er víl sem var. his problem is all as it was.

24.
Ósnotr maðr The foolish man
hyggr sér alla vera thinks that all
viðhlæjendr vini; who laugh along are friends;
hittki hann fiðr, this he does not notice,
þótt þeir um hann fár lesi, however, that they cook up tales about him
ef hann með snotrum sitr. if he sits with un-foolish people.

25.
Ósnotr maðr The foolish man
hyggr sér alla vera thinks that all
viðhlæjendr vini; who laugh along are friends;
þá þat finnr, however, he finds
er at þingi kemr, when he goes to the Thing,
at hann á formælendr fáa. that he has few supporters.

26.
Ósnotr maðr The foolish man
þykkisk allt vita, thinks he knows everything
ef hann á sér í vá veru; if he has himself a sheltered corner;
hittki hann veit, this he does not know,
hvat hann skal við kveða, what he should say in return
ef hans freista firar. if people ask him questions.

27.
Ósnotr maðr, The foolish man
er með aldir kemr, who comes among folks,
þat er bazt, at hann þegi; it is best if he stays silent;
engi þat veit, no one will know
at hann ekki kann, that he does not know
nema hann mæli til margt; unless he talks too much;
veit-a maðr, the man does not know
hinn er vettki veit, - the one who knows naught -
þótt hann mæli til margt. when he is talking too much.

28.
Fróðr sá þykkisk, Wise he thinks himself
er fregna kann who can ask questions
ok segja it sama; and likewise make statements;
eyvitu leyna nothing can they hide,
megu ýta synir, the sons of men,
því er gengr um guma. of what goes around about people.

29.
Ærna mælir, Enough he speaks,
sá er æva þegir, he who is never silent,
staðlausu stafi; of baseless things;[16]
hraðmælt tunga, a fast-talking tongue,
nema haldendr eigi, unless it has a curb on it,
oft sér ógótt of gelr. often summons[17] bad things to itself.

30.
At augabragði In contempt
skal-a maðr annan hafa, a person should not hold another,
þótt til kynnis komi; even when he visits people he is close to;
margr þá fróðr þykkisk, many a one then seems wise
ef hann freginn er-at if no one questions him
ok nái hann þurrfjallr þruma. and he manages to sit there with a dry

hide.[18]

31.
Fróðr þykkisk, Wise he seems
sá er flótta tekr, who takes flight,
gestr at gest hæðinn; a guest, mocked by a guest;
veit-a görla, he does not altogether know,
sá er of verði glissir, he who grins during a meal,
þótt hann með grömum glami. whether he isn't gossiping among

enemies.

32.
Gumnar margir Many men
erusk gagnhollir, are on very good terms with each other,
en at virði vrekask; yet fight when at a meal;
aldar róg strife between people
þat mun æ vera, there will always be,
órir gestr við gest. one guest will rage at another.

33.
Árliga verðar Early his meals
skyli maðr oft fáa, a person should often take,
nema til kynnis komi: except when he visits people he is close

to;
s[i]tr[19] ok snópir, he sits and mopes,
lætr sem solginn sé looks as if he is famished,
ok kann fregna at fáu. and there's little he can ask about.

34.
Afhvarf mikit A great way out of one's way
er til ills vinar, it is to a bad friend's,
þótt á brautu búi, even if he lives on the high road,[20]
en til góðs vinar but to a good friend's
liggja gagnvegir, direct paths lead,
þótt hann sé firr farinn. even if he has gone further away.

35.
Ganga skal, One should go,
skal-a gestr vera not be a guest
ey í einum stað; always in one place;
ljúfr verðr leiðr, liked turns to disliked
ef lengi sitr if he tarries lengthily
annars fletjum á. within another's hall.

36.
Bú er betra, One's dwelling is better,
þótt lítit sé, little though it be,[21]
halr er heima hverr; everyone is a full man[22] at home;
þótt tvær geitr eigi even if he has two goats
ok taugreftan sal, and a hall with a roof made of string,
þat er þó betra en bæn. that is still better than begging.

37.
Bú er betra, One's dwelling is better,
þótt lítit sé, little though it be,
halr er heima hverr; everyone is a full man at home;
blóðugt er hjarta, his heart bleeds[23]
þeim er biðja skal who must beg
sér í mál hvert matar. food for himself at every meal.

38.
Vápnum sínum From his weapons
skal-a maðr velli á a person should not when afield[24]
feti ganga framar, go one foot away,
því at óvíst er at vita, because it cannot be known for sure
nær verðr á vegum úti when out on his way will
geirs of þörf guma. a man come to have need of his spear.

39.
Fannk-a ek mildan mann I never found a benevolent man
eða svá matar góðan, or so well disposed with his food
at væri-t þiggja þegit, that accepting was not accepted,
eða síns féar or with his wealth
svági [glöggvan], so not stingy,[25]
at leið sé laun, ef þægi. that a repayment would be disliked, if he

received it.

40.
Féar síns, Of his wealth,
er fengit hefr, which he has acquired,
skyli-t maðr þörf þola; a person should not put up with lack;
oft sparir leiðum, often you save for disliked people
þats hefr ljúfum hugat; what you had thought of as for beloved

people;
margt gengr verr en varir. many things go worse than you expect.

41.
Vápnum ok váðum With weapons and clothes
skulu vinir gleðjask; friends should please each other;
þat er á sjalfum sýnst; that is always clearest on oneself;
viðrgefendr ok endrgefendr those who give in return and give again
erusk lengst vinir, are mutual friends the longest,
ef þat bíðr at verða vel. if that continues to go well.

42.
Vin sínum To his friend
skal maðr vinr vera a person should be a friend
ok gjalda gjöf við gjöf; and return a gift for a gift;
hlátr við hlátri laughter with laughter
skyli hölðar taka men[26] should take
en lausung við lygi. and a falsehood with a lie.

43.
Vin sínum To his friend
skal maðr vinr vera, a person should be a friend,
þeim ok þess vin; to him and to his friend;
en óvinar síns but to his enemy's friend[27]
skyli engi maðr should no person
vinar vinr vera. be a friend.

44.
Veiztu, ef þú vin átt, Know you, if you have a friend,
þann er þú vel trúir, whom you trust well,
ok vill þú af hánum gótt geta, and you want to make the best of him.
geði skaltu við þann blanda you should mingle minds with him,[28]
ok gjöfum skipta, and exchange gifts,
fara at finna oft. go and visit him often.

45.
Ef þú átt annan, If you have another,
þanns þú illa trúir, whom you ill trust,
vildu af hánum þó gótt geta, if you nonetheless want to make the best

of him,
fagrt skaltu við þann mæla you should speak pretty words to him
en flátt hyggja but think false
ok gjalda lausung við lygi. and repay a falsehood with a lie.

46.
Það er enn of þann Still there is, about him
er þú illa trúir whom you ill trust,
ok þér er grunr at hans geði, and you are doubtful about the way he

thinks,
hlæja skaltu við þeim you should laugh with him
ok um hug mæla; and pretend when you speak;
glík skulu gjöld gjöfum. the repayment should [be] like the gifts.

47.
Ungr var ek forðum, In times of old I was young,
fór ek einn saman, I traveled all alone,
þá varð ek villr vega; then I took a wrong turn;
auðigr þóttumk, I thought myself wealthy
er ek annan fann, when I found another person,
maðr er manns gaman. man is man's pleasure.

48.
Mildir, fræknir Generous[29], bold
menn bazt lifa, people live best,
sjaldan sút ala; seldom bear sorrows;
en ósnjallr maðr but a nervous[30] man
uggir hotvetna, is afraid of anything,
sýtir æ glöggr við gjöfum. the niggard always moans about gifts.[31]

49.
Váðir mínar My clothes
gaf ek velli at I gave in a field to
tveim trémönnum; two wooden people;
rekkar þat þóttusk, they considered themselves fine fellows
er þeir rift höfðu; when they had raiment;
neiss er nökkviðr halr. shamed is a naked man.

50.
Hrörnar þöll, That fir-tree withers
sú er stendr þorpi á, that stands in the village,
hlýr-at henni börkr né barr; neither bark nor needle protects it;
svá er maðr, so is the person
sá er manngi ann. whom nobody loves.
Hvat skal hann lengi lifa? How should he live long?

51.
Eldi heitari Hotter than fire
brennr með illum vinum burns for five days
friðr fimm daga, the relationship between bad friends,[32]
en þá sloknar, but then is slaked
er inn sétti kemr, when the sixth comes,
ok versnar allr vinskapr. and all friendship goes bad.

52.
Mikit eitt A single big thing
skal-a manni gefa; you should not give to a person;
oft kaupir sér í litlu lof, often you buy yourself praise with little,
með halfum hleif with a half loaf
ok með höllu keri and a tipped cup[33]
fekk ek mér félaga. I got myself a companion.

53.
Lítilla sanda Beside small shores
lítilla sæva beside small seas
lítil eru geð guma; small are the minds of men;
því allir menn hence all men
urðu-t jafnspakir; have not grown equally insightful;
half er öld hvar. mankind is half each.

54.
Meðalsnotr Medium wise
skyli manna hverr; should every person be,
æva til snotr sé; never too wise;
þeim er fyrða for those people it is
fegrst at lifa, most pleasant to live
er vel margt vitu. who know quite[34] a lot of things.

55.
Meðalsnotr Medium wise
skyli manna hverr, should every person be,
æva til snotr sé; never too wise;
því at snotrs manns hjarta because a wise man's heart
verðr sjaldan glatt, rarely becomes glad,
ef sá er alsnotr, er á. if he who owns it is wise in all.

56.
Meðalsnotr Medium wise
skyli manna hverr, should every person be,
æva til snotr sé; never too wise;
örlög sín his ørlǫg
viti engi fyrir, let no one know in advance,
þeim er sorgalausastr sefi. he has the most carefree mind.

57.
Brandr af brandi Brand from brand
brenn, unz brunninn er, burns, until it is burned,
funi kveikisk af funa; flame springs to life from flame;
maðr af manni a person from a person
verðr at máli kuðr, becomes known for speech,[35]
en til dælskr af dul. but too dull-witted from isolation.

58.
Ár skal rísa, Early must he rise
sá er annars vill who wants to have another's
fé eða fjör hafa; cattle or life;
sjaldan liggjandi ulfr seldom does a reclining wolf
lær of getr get the meat,
né sofandi maðr sigr. or a sleeping man, victory.

59.
Ár skal rísa, Early must he rise,
sá er á yrkjendr fáa, who has few workers,
ok ganga síns verka á vit; and go look to his work;
margt of dvelr, much delays
þann er um morgin sefr, the man who sleeps the morning away,
hálfr er auðr und hvötum. wealth is half in the energy.[36]

60.
Þurra skíða Of dry sticks
ok þakinna næfra, and of birch-bark for roofing,
þess kann maðr mjöt, of this a man is aware of the measure,
þess viðar, of this, wood,
er vinnask megi that may be needed
mál ok misseri. for a quarter and for a half year.

61.
Þveginn ok mettr Washed and fed
ríði maðr þingi at, let a man ride to the Thing,
þótt hann sé-t væddr til vel; albeit he is not well clothed;
skúa ok bróka of his shoes and breeches
skammisk engi maðr let no one be ashamed,
né hests in heldr, nor of his horse either,
þótt hann hafi-t góðan albeit he does not have a good one.

62.
Snapir ok gnapir, It snaps its jaws and lunges
er til sævar kemr, when it comes to the sea,
örn á aldinn mar; an eagle on the ancient deep;
svá er maðr, so is a man
er með mörgum kemr who comes among many
ok á formælendr fáa. and has few to speak for him.

63.
Fregna ok segja To ask and to speak
skal fróðra hverr, ought every wise man,
sá er vill heitinn horskr; he who wishes to be called insightful;
einn vita one must know,
né annarr skal, and not another,
þjóð veit, ef þrír ro. the [entire] people knows, if there are

three.

64.
Ríki sitt His power
skyli ráðsnotra any prudent person should
hverr í hófi hafa; exercise in measure;
þá hann þat finnr, then he finds this,
er með fræknum kemr when he comes among bold men:
at engi er einna hvatastr. that none is the single bravest one.

65.
-- -- -- -- ----
orða þeira, for the words
er maðr öðrum segir that a person says to another
oft hann gjöld of getr. he often receives payment back.

66.
Mikilsti snemma Very much too early
kom ek í marga staði, I came to many places,
en til síð í suma; and too late to some;
öl var drukkit, the ale was drunk up,
sumt var ólagat, some wasn't made,
sjaldan hittir leiðr í líð. the disliked person rarely hits the mark.

67.
Hér ok hvar Here and there
myndi mér heim of boðit, I would be invited home,
ef þyrftak at málungi mat, if I had no need of food at mealtime,
eða tvau lær hengi or there would be two hams hanging
at ins tryggva vinar, at a true friend's,
þars ek hafða eitt etit. when I had eaten one.[37]

68.
Eldr er beztr Fire is best
með ýta sonum for the sons of men
ok sólar sýn, and the sight of the sun,
heilyndi sitt, one's health,
ef maðr hafa náir, if a person gets to have it,
án við löst at lifa. to live blame-free.[38]

69.
Er-at maðr alls vesall, No person is wretched in every way,
þótt hann sé illa heill; even though his condition may be bad;[39]
sumr er af sonum sæll, some are blessed with sons,
sumr af frændum, some with relatives,
sumr af fé ærnu, some with sufficient wealth,
sumr af verkum vel. some very much by their works.[40]

70.
Betra er lifðum It is better for the living
en sé ólifðum, than to be unliving,[41]
ey getr kvikr kú; always the living man gets the cow;
eld sá ek upp brenna I saw the fire burn up
auðgum manni fyrir, in front of a wealthy person,
en úti var dauðr fyr durum. but outside the door was a dead man.[42]

71.
Haltr ríðr hrossi, A lame person rides a horse,
hjörð rekr handar vanr, a person lacking a hand drives a herd,[43]
daufr vegr ok dugir, a deaf person fights, and doughtily.
blindr er betri blind is better
en brenndr séi, than being burnt up,
nýtr manngi nás. a corpse is no use to anyone.

72.
Sonr er betri, A son is better,
þótt sé síð of alinn even if he is late born
eftir genginn guma; after the man is gone;
sjaldan bautarsteinar memorial stones rarely
standa brautu nær, stand alongside the road
nema reisi niðr at nið. unless a kinsman raises them for a

kinsman.

73.
Tveir ro eins herjar, Two are destroyers of one,
tunga er höfuðs bani; the tongue is the head's slayer;
er mér í heðin hvern in every bearskin cloak I
handar væni. expect a hand.

74.
Nótt verðr feginn At night he rejoices
sá er nesti trúir, who trusts in his food-bundle,
skammar ro skips ráar; ship's sail-yards are short;
hverf er haustgríma; shifty is the cowl of an autumn night;
fjölð of viðrir the weather varies a lot
á fimm dögum within five days
en meira á mánuði. and more within a month.

75.
Veit-a hinn, He does not know,
er vettki veit, the man who knows nothing,
margr verðr af aurum api; many a person becomes a fool on

account of money;
maðr er auðigr, one person is wealthy,
annar óauðigr, another not wealthy,
skyli-t þann vítka váar. one should not blame him for the woe.

76.
Deyr fé, Cattle die,
deyja frændr, Kin die,
deyr sjalfr it sama, one dies oneself likewise,
en orðstírr but the renown of fame[44]
deyr aldregi, never dies
hveim er sér góðan getr. for the person who gets himself a good

one.

77.
Deyr fé, Cattle die,
deyja frændr, kin die,
deyr sjalfr it sama, one dies oneself likewise;
ek veit einn, I know of one thing
at aldrei deyr: that never dies:
dómr um dauðan hvern. judgement on every dead person.

78.
Fullar grindr Full folds[45]
sá ek fyr Fitjungs sonum, I saw for Fitjung's sons,
nú bera þeir vánar völ; now they carry a beggar's staff;
svá er auðr so is wealth,
sem augabragð, like the blink of an eye,
hann er valtastr vina. it is the ficklest of friends.

79.
Ósnotr maðr, The foolish man,
ef eignask getr if he comes to have
fé eða fljóðs munuð, riches or a woman's favour,
metnaðr hánum þróask, his pride swells,
en mannvit aldregi, but his good sense never,
fram gengr hann drjúgt í dul. he forges right ahead in his

conceitedness.

80.
Þat er þá reynt, That is then demonstrated
er þú að rúnum spyrr what you ask the runes,
inum reginkunnum, come from the regin,[46]
þeim er gerðu ginnregin which the great regin made
ok fáði fimbulþulr, and the mighty þulr painted,[47]
þá hefir hann bazt, ef hann þegir. that he does best to hold his tongue.

81.
At kveldi skal dag leyfa, At nightfall should a day be praised,[48]
konu, er brennd er, a woman, when she is burnt,
mæki, er reyndr er, a sword, when it is proved,
mey, er gefin er, a maiden, when she is married,
ís, er yfir kemr, ice, when it has been crossed,
öl, er drukkit er. ale, when it has been drunk.

82.
Í vindi skal við höggva, In wind one should hew wood,
veðri á sjó róa, [good] weather, row out to sea,
myrkri við man spjalla, the darkness, chat with a girl,
mörg eru dags augu; many are the day's eyes;
á skip skal skriðar orka, you should use a ship to get swift

travel,[49]
en á skjöld til hlífar, but a shield for cover,
mæki höggs, a sword, hewing,
en mey til kossa. and a maiden for kisses.

83.
Við eld skal öl drekka, At the fire, you should drink ale,
en á ísi skríða, and on ice, slide,
magran mar kaupa, buy a skinny mare,
en mæki saurgan, and a dirtied-up sword,[50]
heima hest feita, fatten up a horse at home,
en hund á búi. and a dog on the farm.

II. II.

84.
Meyjar orðum A maiden's words
skyli manngi trúa no one ought to trust,
né því, er kveðr kona, nor what a woman says,
því at á hverfanda hvéli because on a turning wheel
váru þeim hjörtu sköpuð, their hearts were created,
brigð í brjóst of lagið. changeability[51] placed in their breasts.

85.
Brestanda boga, A shattering bow,
brennanda loga, a burning flame,
gínanda ulfi, a gaping wolf,
galandi kráku, a screeching crow,
rýtanda svíni, a grunting pig,
rótlausum viði, a rootless tree,
vaxanda vági, a mounting sea,
vellanda katli, a boiling kettle,

86.
Fljúganda fleini, a flying spear,
fallandi báru, a falling wave,
ísi einnættum, one night's ice,
ormi hringlegnum, a coiled serpent,
brúðar beðmálum a bride's bed-talk
eða brotnu sverði, or a breaking sword,
bjarnar leiki a bear's play
eða barni konungs. or a child of a king.

87.
Sjúkum kalfi, An ailing calf,
sjalfráða þræli, a self-willed thrall,
völu vilmæli, a völva's pleasant word,
val nýfelldum. newly slain corpses.

88.
Akri ársánum A field sown early
trúi engi maðr let no one trust in,[52]
né til snemma syni, nor too soon in his son,
- veðr ræðr akri. - weather rules the field
en vit syni; and his wits the son;
hætt er þeira hvárt. dangerous are they both.

89.
Bróðurbana sínum His brother's slayer,
þótt á brautu mæti, albeit met on the road,
húsi hálfbrunnu, a half-burnt house,
hesti alskjótum, an overly swift horse
- þá er jór ónýtr, - a steed is of no use
ef einn fótr brotnar -, if he breaks a leg[53] -,
verði-t maðr svá tryggr let a person not be so trusting
at þessu trúi öllu. that he trusts all of these.

90.
Svá er friðr kvenna, Thus is the favour of women,
þeira er flátt hyggja, who think falsely[54]:
sem aki jó óbryddum like driving a smooth-shod horse
á ísi hálum, on slippery ice,
teitum, tvévetrum a spirited one, two years old
ok sé tamr illa, and badly broken,
eða í byr óðum or in a raging wind
beiti stjórnlausu, on a rudderless boat,
eða skyli haltr henda or a lame man trying to catch
hrein í þáfjalli. a reindeer on a thawing mountainside.[55]

91.
Bert ek nú mæli, I now speak plain,
því at ek bæði veit, because I know both,
brigðr er karla hugr konum; faithless are men's minds towards

women;
þá vér fegrst mælum, we speak fairest,
er vér flást hyggjum: where we think most false;
þat tælir horska hugi. that deceives the mind of the wise.

92.
Fagrt skal mæla Fairly he must speak
ok fé bjóða, and offer riches,[56]
sá er vill fljóðs ást fá, he who wishes to win a lady's love,
líki leyfa praise the body
ins ljósa mans, of the resplendent being,
sá fær, er fríar. he wins who woos.

93.
Ástar firna For his love,
skyli engi maðr no one should blame
annan aldregi; another ever;
oft fá á horskan, ravishingly fair looks,
er á heimskan né fá, when they do not capture the fool,
lostfagrir litir. often capture the wise man.[57]

94.
Eyvitar firna For nothing must
er maðr annan skal, someone blame another,
þess er um margan gengr guma; of what happens to many a man;
heimska ór horskum fools out of wise,
gerir hölða sonu sons of men,
sá inn máttki munr. it makes, mighty love.[58]

95.
Hugr einn þat veit, The mind alone knows
er býr hjarta nær, what dwells close to the heart,
einn er hann sér of sefa; he is alone with himself in his emotions;
öng er sótt verri there is no worse sickness
hveim snotrum manni for any wise man
en sér engu at una. than [to have] nothing to be content

with.[59]

96.
Þat ek þá reynda, That I proved then
er ek í reyri sat, when I sat in the reeds,
ok vættak míns munar; and waited for my love;
hold ok hjarta flesh and heart[60]
var mér in horska mær; the wise maid was to me;
þeygi ek hana at heldr hefik. yet I do not have possession of her.

97.
Billings mey Billing's daughter
ek fann beðjum á I found in bed,
sólhvíta sofa; sleeping, sun-white;
jarls ynði no jarl's pleasure
þótti mér ekki vera I thought there could be
nema við þat lík at lifa. except to live with that body.

98.
"Auk nær aftni "Again, you must come
skaltu, Óðinn, koma, near the evening, Óðinn,
ef þú vilt þér mæla man; if you want to talk yourself into a

relationship;
allt eru ósköp, it is all a disaster
nema einir viti unless [we] alone know
slíkan löst saman." of such shame, together."

99.
Aftr ek hvarf Away I went
ok unna þóttumk and thought I had love
vísum vilja frá; from certain lust;[61]
hitt ek hugða, what I thought was
at ek hafa mynda that I might have
geð hennar allt ok gaman. all her heart and pleasure[62].

100.
Svá kom ek næst, So the next time I came,
at in nýta var the able
vígdrótt öll of vakin company of warriors were all awake
með brennandum ljósum with burning lights
ok bornum viði, and collected wood,
svá var mér vílstígr of vitaðr. such was the sorry route marked out for

me!

101.
Auk nær morgni, Again, near morning,
er ek var enn of kominn, when I had come in,
þá var saldrótt of sofin; the hall company was asleep;
grey eitt ek þá fann then I found only a bitch
innar góðu konu of the good woman's
bundit beðjum á. tied on the bed.

102.
Mörg er góð mær, Many a good maid is,
ef görva kannar, if you get to know her closely,
hugbrigð við hali; fickle-minded towards men;
þá ek þat reynda, I proved that
er it ráðspaka when I that woman wise in judgement
teygða ek á flærðir fljóð; allured to deceits;[63]
háðungar hverrar every disgrace
leitaði mér it horska man, the clever creature sought for me,
ok hafða ek þess vettki vífs. and I got naught from that female.

III. III.

103.
Heima glaðr gumi At home glad
ok við gesti reifr, and cheerful with a guest,
sviðr skal um sig vera, a man must be wise of himself,[64]
minnigr ok málugr, good at remembering and at speaking,
ef hann vill margfróðr vera, if he wants to be much-knowing,
oft skal góðs geta; he must often speak of good things;
fimbulfambi heitir, he is called a mighty fool
sá er fátt kann segja, who can say few things,
þat er ósnotrs aðal. that is characteristic of the non-wise.

104.
Inn aldna jötun ek sótta, I sought out the old jǫtunn,
nú em ek aftr of kominn: now I have come back;
fátt gat ek þegjandi þar; not speaking there, I got little;
mörgum orðum with many words
mælta ek í minn frama I spoke to my advantage
í Suttungs sölum. in Suttung's hall.

105.
Gunnlöð mér of gaf Gunnlǫð gave to me,
gullnum stóli á on a golden throne,
drykk ins dýra mjaðar; a drink of the precious mead;
ill iðgjöld ill recompense
lét ek hana eftir hafa I had her have afterwards
síns ins heila hugar, for her whole heart,
síns ins svára sefa. for her heavy spirit.

106.
Rata munn Rati's mouth
létumk rúms of fá I caused to create room
ok um grjót gnaga; and gnaw through rock;
yfir ok undir over and under
stóðumk jötna vegir, me stood the ways of the jǫtnar,[65]
svá hætta ek höfði til. so did I risk my head on that.

107.
Vel keypts litar Well bought good looks[66]
hefi ek vel notit, I have used well,
fás er fróðum vant, few things a wise man lacks;
því at Óðrerir therefore Óðrerir[67]
er nú upp kominn has now come up
á alda vés jaðar. to the edge of mankind's holy mansion.[68]

108.
Ifi er mér á, I have doubts
at ek væra enn kominn that I would have come back
jötna görðum ór, from the dwellings of the giants,
ef ek Gunnlaðar né nytak, if I had not used Gunnlǫð,
innar góðu konu, that good woman,
þeirar er lögðumk arm yfir. over whom I laid my arm.

109.
Ins hindra dags On the following day
gengu hrímþursar frost giants[69] went
Háva ráðs at fregna to ask Hár's[70] counsel
Háva höllu í; in Hár's hall;
at Bölverki þeir spurðu, about Bǫlverkr they asked,
ef hann væri með böndum kominn whether he had come among the powers
eða hefði hánum Suttungr of sóit. or Suttungr had smothered[71] him.

110.
Baugeið Óðinn, An oath on the ring,
hygg ek, at unnit hafi; I think Óðinn will have sworn;
hvat skal hans tryggðum trúa? what trust is one to put in his troth?
Suttung svikinn Suttungr cheated
hann lét sumbli frá out of his sumbl[72] he had,[73]
ok grætta Gunnlöðu. and Gunnlǫð weeping.

IV. IV.

111.
Mál er at þylja It is time to recite
þular stóli á from the þulr's throne[74]
Urðarbrunni at, at Urðarbrunnr,[75]
sá ek ok þagðak, I saw and did not speak,
sá ek ok hugðak, I saw and considered,
hlýdda ek á manna mál; I listened to the speech of humans;
of rúnar heyrða ek dæma, I heard judgements made about runes,
né of ráðum þögðu nor were they silent about their views,
Háva höllu at, at Hár's hall,
Háva höllu í, in Hár's hall,[76]
heyrða ek segja svá: I heard say thus:

112.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
nótt þú rís-at at night, do not get up
nema á njósn séir unless you are on watch
eða þú leitir þér innan út staðar. or you are going out to find a place.[77]

113.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - ro take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
fjölkunnigri konu in the arms of a witch-woman[78]
skal-at-tu í faðmi sofa, you must never sleep
svá at hon lyki þik liðum. so that she locks you in her limbs.

114.
Hon svá gerir, Thus she makes it
at þú gáir eigi that you no longer care
þings né þjóðans máls; for the Thing or the words of your lord;
mat þú vill-at you do not want food
né mannskis gaman, or human pleasure,
ferr þú sorgafullr at sofa. you go sorrowfully to sleep.

115.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
annars konu another man's woman
teygðu þér aldregi never lure
eyrarúnu at. to be your intimate confidante.[79]

116.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
á fjalli eða firði, by mountain or vale,
ef þik fara tíðir, if you have a yen to travel,
fásktu at virði vel. supply yourself well with provisions.

117.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
illan mann a bad man
láttu aldregi never let
óhöpp at þér vita, know your misfortune,
því at af illum manni because from a bad man
fær þú aldregi you will never get
gjöld ins góða hugar. the return of good thoughts.

118.
Ofarla bíta A bad woman's word
ek sá einum hal I saw bite deeply
orð illrar konu; into a man;[80]
fláráð tunga a lie-ready tongue
varð hánum at fjörlagi was a fatal blow to him,[81]
ok þeygi of sanna sök. and not at all in a just cause.

119.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
veistu, ef þú vin átt, know, if you have a friend,
þann er þú vel trúir, one that you trust in well,
far þú at finna oft, go to visit him often,
því at hrísi vex because weeds grow on
ok hávu grasi and high grass
vegr, er vættki treðr. a path that no one treads.

120.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
góðan mann draw to yourself[82]
teygðu þér at gamanrúnum a good man as your confidant in

relaxation,
ok nem líknargaldr, meðan þú lifir. and receive healing magic while you

live.

121.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
vin þínum with your friend
ver þú aldregi never be
fyrri at flaumslitum; first to make a breach;
sorg etr hjarta, sorrow eats the heart
ef þú segja né náir if you are unable to speak
einhverjum allan hug. your whole mind to someone.

122.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
orðum skipta exchange words
þú skalt aldregi you must never
við ósvinna apa, with stupid apes,[83]

123.
Því at af illum manni Because from a bad person
mundu aldregi you will never
góðs laun of geta, get a reward for good,
en góðr maðr but a good person
mun þik gerva mega will be able to make you,
líknfastan at lofi. through praise, confirmed in goodwill.[84]

124.
Sifjum er þá blandat, Kins are combined[85] then,
hver er segja ræðr whenever one is eager to tell
einum allan hug; another his whole mind;
allt er betra anything is better
en sé brigðum at vera; than that there be a breach of trust;[86]
er-a sá vinr öðrum, he is not a friend to another,

er vilt eitt segir. who only says what is desired.

125.
Ráðumk, þér Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
þrimr orðum senna not three words bandy
skal-at-tu þér við verra mann you must, with a worse man;
oft inn betri bilar, often the better man fails
þá er inn verri vegr. when the worse fights.

126.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
skósmiðr þú verir neither a cobbler be
né skeftismiðr, nor a fletcher,[87]
nema þú sjalfum þér séir: unless you are those for yourself:
skór er skapaðr illa a shoe is badly shaped
eða skaft sé rangt, or a shaft is bent,
þá er þér böls beðit. then bale is called for against you.

127.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
hvars þú böl kannt, whenever you know of a baleful deed,
kveð þú þér bölvi at call it a baleful deed,
ok gef-at þínum fjándum frið. and do not give frith to your enemies.

128.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
illu feginn glad of evil
ver þú aldregi, never be,
en lát þér at góðu getit. but let yourself take pleasure in good.

129.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
upp líta look up
skal-at-tu í orrustu, you must not in battle,
- gjalti glíkir - sons of men are made
verða gumna synir, - to be like squealing pigs[88] -
síðr þitt of heilli halir. lest guys get you under a spell.[89]

130.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
ef þú vilt þér góða konu if you want to persuade yourself a good

woman
kveðja at gamanrúnum to be your companion in relaxation[90]
ok fá fögnuð af, and take pleasure in her,
fögru skaltu heita fair things must you promise
ok láta fast vera; and have them be firm;
leiðisk manngi gótt, ef getr. not many hates a good thing if he gets it.

131.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
varan bið ek þik vera wary I bid you be,
ok eigi ofvaran; and[91] not over-wary;
ver þú við öl varastr be the wariest concerning ale,
ok við annars konu and another's woman,[92]
ok við þat it þriðja, and thirdly,
at þjófar né leiki. that thieves do not hoodwink you.

132.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
at háði né hlátri in scorn and mockery
hafðu aldregi never hold
gest né ganganda. a guest or someone on foot.

133.
Oft vitu ógörla, Often they don't know exactly,
þeir er sitja inni fyrir, those who are seated inside,
hvers þeir ro kyns, er koma; of what nature they are, who come;
er-at maðr svá góðr there is no one so good
at galli né fylgi, that a flaw doesn't follow him,
né svá illr, at einugi dugi. nor so bad, that he is fit for nothing.

134.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
at hárum þul at a hoary-haired þulr
hlæ þú aldregi, never laugh,
oft er gótt, þat er gamlir kveða; often is good what old men say;
oft ór skörpum belg often from a shrivelled leather bag
skilin orð koma come decisive words,
þeim er hangir með hám from the man who hangs among the

hides
ok skollir með skrám dangles among the dried skins,[93]
ok váfir með vílmögum. and sidles about with the bondsmen.

135.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
gest þú né geyja do not bark at a visitor
né á grind hrekir; or chase him at the door;
get þú váluðum vel. entertain the vagrant well.

136.
Rammt er þat tré, Huge is the beam
er ríða skal that must shift
öllum at upploki; to unbar the way for all;
baug þú gef, pay a ring,
eða þat biðja mun or it will call down
þér læs hvers á liðu. every sort of suffering on your limbs.

137.
Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, I advise you, Loddfáfnir,
en þú ráð nemir, - to take advice -
njóta mundu, ef þú nemr, you can make use of it if you do,
þér munu góð, ef þú getr -: it will be good for you if you have it:
hvars þú öl drekkir, whenever you drink ale,
kjós þér jarðar megin, choose for yourself the power of earth,
því at jörð tekr við ölðri, because earth combats ale,
en eldr við sóttum, and fire, sickness,
eik við abbindi, oak, constipation,
ax við fjölkynngi, an ear of grain, sorcery,
höll við hýrógi, the hall, marital strife,[94]
- heiftum skal mána kveðja, - - for hatefulness, one must call on the

moon[95] -
beiti við bitsóttum, alum, infected bites,
en við bölvi rúnar, and runes combat baleful fortune.
fold skal við flóði taka. The earth must combat the sea.[96]

V.

138.
Veit ek, at ek hekk I know that I hung
vindga meiði á on a windswept tree[97]
nætr allar níu, for all of nine nights,
geiri undaðr spear-wounded
ok gefinn Óðni, and given to Óðinn,
sjalfr sjalfum mér, myself to my own self,
á þeim meiði, on that tree
er manngi veit that no one knows
hvers af rótum renn. from what's roots it springs.

139.
Við hleifi mik sældu They [did not] console[98] me with a loaf,
né við hornigi; nor with a horn;
nýsta ek niðr, I searched down below,
nam ek upp rúnar, I brought up the runes,
æpandi nam, took them, crying out;
fell ek aftr þaðan. I fell back from there.[99]

140.
Fimbulljóð níu Nine mighty songs[100]
nam ek af inum frægja syni I acquired from a famed son
Bölþorns, Bestlu föður, of Bǫlþorn, father of Bestla,
ok ek drykk of gat and I got a drink
ins dýra mjaðar, of the precious mead
ausinn Óðreri. poured[101] from Óðrerir.

141.
Þá nam ek frævask Then I started to become fruitful
ok fróðr vera and wise[102]
ok vaxa ok vel hafask, and grow and thrive,
orð mér af orði a word of mine from a word
orðs leitaði, looked for a word,
verk mér af verki a deed of mine from a deed
verks leitaði. looked for a deed.

142.
Rúnar munt þú finna You will find runes
ok ráðna stafi, and decided staves,
mjök stóra stafi, very large staves,
mjök stinna stafi, very strong staves,
er fáði fimbulþulr which a mighty þulr tinted
ok gerðu ginnregin and the great gods[103] made
ok reist hroftr rögna. and Hroptr[104] of the regin risted.[105]

143.
Óðinn með ásum, Óðinn among the Æsir,
en fyr alfum Dáinn, and for the Álfar Dáinn,
Dvalinn ok dvergum fyrir, Dvalinn also for the dwarfs,
Ásviðr jötnum fyrir, Ásviðr for the jǫtnar,
ek reist sjalfr sumar. I risted some myself.

144.
Veistu, hvé rísta skal? Do you know how you must rist?
Veistu, hvé ráða skal? Do you know how you must interpret?
Veistu, hvé fáa skal? Do you know how you must tint?
Veistu, hvé freista skal? Do you know how you must test?
Veistu, hvé biðja skal? Do you know how you must ask?[106]
Veistu, hvé blóta skal? Do you know how you must blót?
Veistu, hvé senda skal? Do you know how you must send?
Veistu, hvé sóa skal? Do you know how you must kill the

offering?[107]

145.
Betra er óbeðit Better is not to have asked
en sé ofblótit, than to have over-blóted,
ey sér til gildis gjöf; ever a gift looks for a repayment;
betra er ósent better is not to have sent a sacrifice
en sé ofsóit. than to have over-killed.
Svá Þundr of reist As Þundr risted it
fyr þjóða rök, before the judgment of mankind,
þar hann upp of reis, where he rose up,
er hann aftr of kom. when he came back.

VI.

146.
Ljóð ek þau kann, I know those songs
er kann-at þjóðans kona that a chief's wife does not know,
ok mannskis mögr. nor a child of men.
Hjalp heitir eitt, One is called help,
en þat þér hjalpa mun and that one will help you
við sökum ok sorgum against lawsuits and sorrows
ok sútum görvöllum. and every affliction.

147.
Þat kann ek annat, This second I know,
er þurfu ýta synir, which the sons of men need,
þeir er vilja læknar lifa. those who wish to live as physicians.[108]

148.
Það kann ek þriðja: This third I know:
ef mér verðr þörf mikil if I am in great need
hafts við mína heiftmögu, of a fetter for my foeman,
eggjar ek deyfi I blunt the edges
minna andskota, of my opponents,
bíta-t þeim vápn né velir. neither their weapons nor their staffs

bite.

149.
Þat kann ek it fjórða: This fourth I know:
ef mér fyrðar bera if men place
bönd að boglimum, bonds on my limbs,
svá ek gel, in such a way I galdr[109]
at ek ganga má, that I may get away,
sprettr mér af fótum fjöturr, the fetter breaks off my feet,
en af höndum haft. and the cuff off my hands.

150.
Þat kann ek it fimmta: This fifth I know:
ef ek sé af fári skotinn If I see, shot with baleful intent,
flein í folki vaða, a shaft shoot into a crowd,
fýgr-a hann svá stinnt, it does not fly so forcefully
at ek stöðvig-a-k, that I don't stop it,
ef ek hann sjónum of sék. if I catch sight of it with my eyes.

151.
Þat kann ek it sétta: This sixth I know:
ef mik særir þegn if some man scores for me
á vrótum hrás viðar, on roots of living wood,[110]
ok þann hal ... and that guy
er mik heifta kveðr, who laid curses on me,
þann eta mein heldr en mik. him the sores eat, rather than me.

152.
Þat kann ek it sjaunda: This seventh I know:
ef ek sé hávan loga if I see a high hall
sal of sessmögum, burning around my bench-mates,
brennr-at svá breitt, it does not burn so widely
at ek hánum bjargig-a-k; that I do not save it;
þann kann ek galdr at gala. That galdr I know how to sing.

153.
Þat kann ek it átta, This eighth I know,
er öllum er which for all is
nytsamligt at nema: useful to take:
hvars hatr vex wherever hatred is growing
með hildings sonum among the sons of a war-chief,
þat má ek bæta brátt. that I can abate fast.

154.
Þat kann ek it níunda: This ninth I know:
ef mik nauðr of stendr If I face the need
at bjarga fari mínu á floti, to save my boat at sea,
vind ek kyrri wind I calm
vági á over the wave
ok svæfik allan sæ. and lull all the sea to sleep.

155.
Þat kann ek it tíunda: This tenth I know:
ef ek sé túnriður if I see hedge-riders
leika lofti á, playing in the sky, [111]
ek svá vinnk, I work it so
at þær villar fara that they go astray
sinna heimhama, from their home-forms,
sinna heimhuga. from their home-minds.

156.
Þat kann ek it ellifta: This eleventh I know:
ef ek skal til orrostu if I am into battle
leiða langvini, to lead long-time friends,
und randir ek gel, under shields I galdr,
en þeir með ríki fara and they go with victory
heilir hildar til, safe to the combat,
heilir hildi frá, safe from the combat,
koma þeir heilir hvaðan. they come away safe from everywhere.

157.
Þat kann ek it tolfta: This twelfth I know:
ef ek sé á tré uppi if I see up on a tree
váfa virgilná, a noosed corpse swinging,
svá ek ríst in such a way I cut
ok í rúnum fák, and colour the runes
at sá gengr gumi that the man walks
ok mælir við mik. and talks with me.

158.
Þat kann ek it þrettánda: This thirteenth I know:
ef ek skal þegn ungan if I am to cast
verpa vatni á, water on[112] a young thegn,
mun-at hann falla, he shall not fall,
þótt hann í folk komi, although he joins an army,[113]
hnígr-a sá halr fyr hjörum. that warrior does not bend before blades.

159.
Þat kann ek it fjögurtánda: This fourteenth I know:
ef ek skal fyrða liði if I am to a troop[114] of men
telja tíva fyrir, enumerate the tívar,
ása ok alfa of all Æsir and Álfar
ek kann allra skil; I know in detail;
fár kann ósnotr svá. few without wisdom do.

160.
Þat kann ek it fimmtánda This fifteenth I know
er gól Þjóðrerir that Þjóðrerir galdred,
dvergr fyr Dellings durum: the dwarf before Delling's door;
afl gól hann ásum, power he galdred to the Æsir,
en alfum frama, and success[115] to the Álfar,
hyggju Hroftatý. insight to Hroptatýr.[116]

161.
Þat kann ek it sextánda: This sixteenth I know:
ef ek vil ins svinna mans if I wish to have of a wise maid
hafa geð allt ok gaman, all the heart[117] and pleasure,
hugi ek hverfi I turn around the mind
hvítarmri konu, of the white-armed woman,
ok sný ek hennar öllum sefa. and change the direction of all her

thoughts.

162.
Þat kann ek it sjautjánda This seventeenth I know
at mik mun seint firrask so that will be slow to leave me
it manunga man. the youthful maid.[118]
Ljóða þessa These songs,
mun þú, Loddfáfnir, Loddfáfnir, you will
lengi vanr vera; long be without;
þó sé þér góð, ef þú getr, however, it would be good for you if you

get them,
nýt ef þú nemr, useful if you take them in,
þörf ef þú þiggr. needful if you absorb them.

163.
Þat kann ek it átjánda, This eighteenth I know,
er ek æva kennik which I never make known
mey né manns konu, to a maiden or a man's wife
- allt er betra, - everything is better
er einn of kann; that one man knows;
þat fylgir ljóða lokum, - it follows the conclusion of the songs, -
nema þeiri einni, except to that one of them,
er mik armi verr, who holds me in her arm,
eða mín systir sé. or, maybe, my sister.

VII.

164.
Nú eru Háva mál Now are the sayings of Hár
kveðin Háva höllu í, spoken in the hall of Hár,
allþörf ýta sonum, very needful for the sons of men,
óþörf jötna sonum; not needful to the sons of jǫtnar;
heill sá, er kvað, be well, who spoke;
heill sá, er kann, be well, who knows;
njóti sá, er nam, be benefited, who took;
heilir, þeirs hlýddu. good fortune[119] to those who listened.

---

[1] By the woodpile, i.e. in a corner or at the back

[2] Endrþǫgo (nom. endrþága) is a unique word, a hapax legomenon: "attentive silence" in Dronke. However, Cleasby-Vígfússon renders it "retribution" and Hollander conjectures it means a repeat invitation.

[3] Lit. "doesn't know how".

[4] or to preserve the parallelism of the at phrases, "circumspect about his mind" - this involves interpreting geð loosely, but it is often loosely used in this poem; see note on verse 12.

[5] lit. "more un-fickle"

[6] I've chosen to render mannvit consistently as "good sense", but it can also be "intelligence".

[7] Líknstafir occurs only here and in "Sigdrífumál". Stafir properly means "words of power" but is presumably faded in meaning here; líkn has a range of meanings including healing and mercy, so it is hard to be sure what force it has here. Similarly sæll can be "happy" or "blessed" but also "poor".

[8] "The man" is gumi from the last half-line. An alternative way of taking this half-verse suggested by Cleasby-Vigfusson is "the less he is in possession of his senses"; geð usually means "mind, mood" but in this poem sometimes seems almost equated with "wits".

[9] In contrast to the arguments that this use of the heron as a symbol for the effects of drink is due to the use of ale-scoops resembling the long neck and head of the heron, or to a magical use of their feathers, Dronke argued that in an earlier version of the tale of Óðin's theft of the mead, he was in heron form, since pursued herons will shit defensively, and pursued eagles do not.

[10] The last half of the verse is clearly Óðinn speaking.

[11] Snjallr is cognate with German schnell, quick, but is used only metaphorically - generally for "good" and specifically for either "eloquent" or "brave". It's usually read here as "brave", giving "cowardly" for the word as it appears with the negative prefix ó-.

[12] i.e.: does not spare him.

[13] According to Cleasby-Vígfusson, this is a unique verb usage, unless there is a parallel in Lokasenna 52.

[14] Geðr again; alternatively "knows reason", i.e., has sense.

[15] Vesall is sometimes emended to Ósnjallr, "lacking", to match verse 16.

[16] Staðlaus can be regarded as the opposite of "steadfast"; with no foundation, either in fact or in conviction. A stafr is properly a rune-stave, hence a letter. So, "mere letters".

[17] Gala - to sing or chant.

[18] Metaphor: unscathed.

[19] Misprint in the Heimskringla.no ON text: str for sitr

[20] A braut is a road cut through the landscape, as opposed to a vegr, stigr, or gata, all of which are pathways formed by travellers passing that way.

[21] In both this and the following stanza, Ursula Dronke read bert, "bare", for the manuscript lítit and abbreviated l., since she saw evidence of correction indicating the manuscript had been unclear.

[22] Halr: poetic word for "man"

[23] Literally: bloody is the heart

[24] á velli is literally "in the field" but vǫllr is often used more or less idiomatically in such phrases to mean simply "outdoors".

[25] The manuscript has just svági (so not). The emendation here means much the same as the more traditional one to svá giǫflan, "so spendthrift, munificent".

[26] A hǫlðr is in law a freeholder or yeoman (the historian's "hold"); the identical word to A-S hæleþ; but in poetry is used as another word for "man".

[27] The "to a friend" is vinar in the last line. This can also be read as "to an enemy of his friend", taking vinar with síns.

[28] Geð again. Here the meaning is "change your tastes to match his". Blanda has connotations of adulteration and is sometimes used of sex.

[29] Everyone agrees that mildir here is "generous", but the primary meaning is "gentle".

[30] Ósnjallr is the opposite of snjallr, which originally meant "swift" but was used to mean either "eloquent" or "courageous".

[31] Because he will have to repay them.

[32] I've reordered the contents of these two lines: the "relationship" word is friðr.

[33] Tipped or leaning because it's been half emptied.

[34] The contradiction between the two halves of the verse here has led some, including Hollander, to reverse the meaning of the second half (sometimes by emending the text to vitut, "don't know"); Dronke sees it as an example of proposition and counter-point.

[35] In other words, you learn to speak well through contact with others.

[36] In other words, half of getting rich is making an effort. The line has also been read with hvǫtum as an adjective: wealth is half among the active.

[37] In other words: sometimes the invitation would be with the proviso that there wasn't any food; when there was ample food, it was after he had already eaten his fill.

[38] Lǫstr: a flaw or fault; a shameful, evil act

[39] Heill can refer to health or to luck in general.

[40] Sumr er in these four lines is strictly speaking singular: "some person is". Sæll af can also be rendered "happy in".

[41] This line is amended: the manuscript has the clearly faulty ok sæl lifðom.

[42] The ambiguity of the last line makes it uncertain how blatantly this is saying it is the wealthy man who is dead. It can also be read as "but outside he [the wealthy man] lay dead at the door".

[43] handarvanr: in other words, one-handed. Emended from hundarvanr, "lacking a dog".

[44] orðs - of the word, of being spoken of; tírr - glory, reputation, renown

[45] grindr: Singular grind means a lattice-gate; plural grindr, an animal pen, especially a sheep-fold.

[46] Reginkunnum describes the runes; everyone seems to agree it means they are from the regin (presumably kundr, kin, plus the following line), except Cleasby-Vigfusson, who explain the word as "universally known". Other -kunnr words do mean "known" (kunna, to know).

[47] Leaving the rare word þulr untranslated; it may refer to someone who chants or to someone who knows much lore. Fáði could be either marked out or added colour to.

[48] At kveldi: i.e., at the very end of the day: the ancient heathens counted the new day as starting with the night, not the morning.

[49] Skriðr describes the slithering of a snake as well as the movement of a ship over the waves.

[50] Presumably meaning rusted. Dronke connects this, the mare, and the horse: buy both cheap and fix their problems yourself.

[51] brigð: legally, a revocation of a sale contract or a change in judgement; outside the law, a breach or reversal in friendship or other commitment, so often translated here "fickleness"

[52] It's safe to assume this applies to the entire preceding multi-verse list; however, the last line appears to refer only to the two in this verse: hvárt is typically a dual rather than a plural (hverr being then used).

[53] Literally a foot.

[54] flátt hyggja rests on a metaphor: flár literally means "gaping open", as when a button is missing. But it is traditionally used in contrast with fagr, exactly as in the following verse.

[55] pá- literally piebald; Dronke presumes the man is trying to ski when the snow is now patchy.

[56] fé again, literally "cattle".

[57] I have switched the last line and the first line of the second half, oft fá á horskan and lostfagrir litir, in the translation.

[58] Both the er and the sá seem excess in this verse; I have relocated only the gerir, "it makes".

[59] una originally meant "dwell" but is more usually used in the meaning "enjoy", "be happy with".

[60] The equivalent English idiom is "body and soul".

[61] Variously taken as "I thought I was delirious with love" and "I thought I loved beyond known bliss" (Dronke) .

[62] Gaman here referring to pleasure with her - sex.

[63] This verse has a lot of poetic word order; fljóð means "woman".

[64] This has been taken to mean self-aware, but Dronke takes it as simply wise himself - the following line supports that reading.

[65] kenning: rocks

[66] Problematic text. It is probably better to emend with Dronke to Vél keypts [h]lutar, "Deceitfully obtained fortune".

[67] mentioned again in 140, where it clearly refers to the mead, not a cauldron as in the Prose Edda.

[68] jaðar, "edge, border" is an emendation for jarðar, "of earth", in the manuscript. The kenning alda vé refers to Miðgarðr (note the difference from the Prose Edda version, where the mead is brought to Ásgarðr); Dronke renders it "men's hallowed realm"; Cleasby-Vígfusson point out that vé can mean "dwelling" (and regard this as preceding the "temple" meaning); like her "hallowed", I've added "holy" because it is part of the force of any use of vé.

[69] Dronke speculates that the hrímþursar lent "Bǫlverkr" the augur, Rati, and wanted their share of the booty; she notes that Suttung's brother's assistance has been omitted.

[70] Hár, of course, is another name of Óðinn. This is the old possessive form; there is no need to invent a separate name Hávi. See also verse 111.

[71] of sóit defines the mode of killing, but it traditionally refers to blót, as in verse 145.

[72] Except for this and "Alvissmál"'s reference to "Suttung's sons" having it as their word for "ale", sumbl means a banquet in Norse.

[73] This is properly the "he had it done", "he caused it to happen" kind of "had" rather than the simple past perfect "he had done it".

[74] The meaning of þulr is open to debate, so I have left it untranslated; Dronke has "chanter" (and "chant"), others render it "sage".

[75] The Well of Urðr.

[76] Same as verse 109, line 4.

[77] a place to relieve yourself. The "going out" is innan - "from inside".

[78] The "in the arms" is í faðmi on the next line; lit. "of a woman knowing sorcery".

[79] Eyrarúna, "sweetheart of whispered secrets", only found here and in Vǫluspá 39.

[80] Rearranged for clarity. Word for word: Deeply bite | I saw into a man | the word of a bad woman.

[81] fjǫrlag: literally, a stab into his life

[82] teygðu, the same verb as in verse 115, and note the echo between eyrarúnu there and gamanrúnum here.

[83] A word usually used in Old Norse of humans rather than other primates.

[84] líknfast occurs only here.

[85] Dronke sees this as a reference to blood brotherhood used metaphorically.

[86] reading brigðum as brigð um (Dronke).

[87] or: a shoemaker, a shaftmaker

[88] Metaphorical for either fear (Cleasby-Vigfússon) or "mania" (presumably madness; Dronke)

[89] Halr can be either yet another synonym for "man, warrior" or a pejorative. I'm following the usual emendation of þitt ("your", possessive) to þik (you, accusative).

[90] Echoing the wording of verse 120, but usually translated here as something like "secret pleasure"

[91] often this ok (and) is quietly translated as if it were en (but)

[92] or wife

[93] Dronke sees these as skins prepared for writing on: parchments, vellums.

[94] Since the rest of these are medical prescriptions, Cleasby-Vígfússon took this line as "spurred rye against hernia".

[95] This could alternatively be "call on Máni", and Jǫrðr in lines 6 and 7; the manuscript does not capitalise names.

[96] The meaning of the last line changes if taka við is read passively, as "receive"; this is how Dronke takes it, rendering the verb in line 7 as "absorbs".

[97] Meiðr is properly a pole, or a gallows, not a living tree.

[98] Sældu is an emendation; the manuscript's seldo (seldu) would mean give to (or sell).

[99] The manuscript has þatan. Dronke suggests a different emendation: aptraðr útan, interpreted as backwards from "beyond" - somersaultiong out of another world. She relates this to a figure on a petroglyph somersaulting backwards above a ship and to imitation of the course of the sun.

[100] This could also be rendered "charms".

[101] Dronke takes ausinn as agreeing with ek, I, and translates it "irrigated".

[102] The "become" word is vera, but frævask in itself means "become fruitful". According to Cleasby-Vigfússon, fróðr usually refers to wisdom from knowledge of the past.

[103] Vǫluspá has ginnheilǫg goð (in a refrain), which I rendered as "vastly holy gods", but not ginnregin.

[104] Making the usual emendation to a name of Óðinn; ft and pt are alternate spellings in Old Norse and the manuscripts do not capitalise names.

[105] cut.

[106] or "pray"

[107] Sóa is cognate with A-S swógan, "smother", so must literally mean "stop the breath". It is used only of sacrificial killing.

[108] The second half of the verse is missing.

[109] Gala is literally to crow like a rooster; it may mean sing or chant, and also appears in Verse 29 with a magic-related meaning. In this final section of the poem I always use "galdr".

[110] Perhaps even stronger, sappy wood, a growing sapling.

[111] A túnriða can be either a witch or a ghost (like Glámr in Grettissaga) and ride either the hedge-tops or the (grass-grown) house-tops.

[112] Verpa vatni á is a reference to the vatni ausa, the heathen baptism, so presumably very young.

[113] The use of fólk, "people", to mean "army" (properly fylking) and thus "battle" is relatively common, but only in the old poetry.

[114] Lið can also mean "people", but is frequently used of a military unit, including the crew of a ship.

[115] Afl can be rendered with any word for strength and ability; frami could be advancement but also fame. Dronke has "prosperity". I've rendered both as generally as possible since they have such a wide range of meanings.

[116] Another name of Óðinn.

[117] or mind - geð, once more.

[118] A half-stanza appears to have been lost here; many editions have the next stanza start with the next line.

[119] heilir is the plural of heill, two and three half-lines above, but the grammatical structure differs.