Hljóðs bið ek allarhelgar kindirmeiri ok minnimögu Heimdallar;viltu at ek, Valföðrvel fyr teljaforn spjöll firaþau er fremst of man.

Hear me, all you holy kindred,great and small, sons of Heimdall.You want it told well, Father of the Slain —the oldest lore of men, the first I remember.

Ek man jötnaár of bornaþá er forðum mikfædda höfðu;níu man ek heimaníu íviðjurmjötvið mæranfyr mold neðan.

I remember giants, born long ago,who raised me in the time before.I remember nine worlds, nine giant-women,and the great world-tree, deep under the earth.

Ár var aldaþat er ekki varvar-a sandr né særné svalar unnir;jörð fannsk ævané upphiminngap var ginnungaen gras hvergi.

It was early in time, when nothing was:no sand, no sea, no cold waves.Earth was nowhere, no sky above —only a yawning gap, and grass nowhere.

Áðr Burs synirbjöðum of yppðuþeir er Miðgarðmæran skópu;sól skein sunnaná salar steinaþá var grund gróingrænum lauki.

Then Bur's sons lifted the land,shaped Midgard, the great middle-world.The sun shone from the south on the stones of the earth,and the ground grew green with new leeks.

Sól varp sunnansinni mánahendi inni hægrium himinjöður;sól þat né vissihvar hon sali áttimáni þat né vissihvat hann megins áttistjörnur þat né vissuhvar þær staði áttu.

The sun, the moon's companion, threw her right handover the sky's rim from the south.The sun did not know where her hall would be,the moon did not know what power he held,the stars did not know where their places were.

Þá gengu regin öllá rökstólaginnheilög goðok um þat gættusk;nótt ok niðjumnöfn of gáfumorgin hétuok miðjan dagundorn ok aftanárum at telja.

Then all the powers went to their thrones of judgment,the holiest gods, and took counsel.To night and her children they gave names —morning and midday,afternoon and evening —to count out the years.

Hittusk æsirá Iðavelliþeir er hörg ok hofhátimbruðu;afla lögðuauð smíðuðutangir skópuok tól gerðu.

The gods met at Idavoll,raised high shrines and temples.They set up forges, worked out wealth,shaped their tongs, and made their tools.

Tefldu í túniteitir váruvar þeim vettergisvant ór gulliuns þrjár kvámuþursa meyjarámáttkar mjökór Jötunheimum.---------

They played chess in the yard, and were glad;gold was nothing they lacked —until three giant-women came,huge in their power, out of Jotunheim.

Þá gengu regin öllá rökstólaginnheilög goðok um þat gættuskhverir skyldi dvergadróttir skepjaór Brimis blóðiok ór Bláins leggjum.

Then all the powers went to their thrones of judgment,the holiest gods, and took counsel:who should shape the race of dwarvesout of Brimir's blood and Blain's bones.

Þar var Móðsognirmæztr of orðinndverga allraen Durinn annarr;þeir mannlíkunmörg of gerðudvergar í jörðusem Durinn sagði.

There Modsognir was madegreatest of all the dwarves, and Durin next.They shaped many likenesses of men,dwarves in the earth, as Durin told them.

Nýi, NiðiNorðri, SuðriAustri, VestriAlþjófr, DvalinnNár ok NáinnNípingr, DáinnBívurr, BávurrBömburr, NóriÁnn ok ÁnarrÓinn, Mjöðvitnir.

Nyi, Nidi,Nordri, Sudri,Austri, Vestri,Althjof, Dvalin,Nar and Nain,Niping, Dain,Bivor, Bavor,Bombor, Nori,An and Onar,Oin, Miodvitnir.

Veggr ok GandalfrVindalfr, ÞorinnÞrár ok ÞráinnÞekkr, Litr ok VitrNýr ok Nýráðrnú hefi ek dvergaReginn ok Ráðsviðrrétt of talða.

Vegg and Gandalf,Vindalf, Thorin,Thrar and Thrain,Thekk, Lit and Vit,Nyr and Nyrad —now I have countedRegin and Radsvid —the dwarves rightly.

Fíli, KíliFundinn, NáliHefti, VíliHannar, SvíurrBillingr, BrúniBíldr ok BuriFrár, HornboriFrægr ok LóniAurvangr, JariEikinskjaldi.

Fili, Kili,Fundin, Nali,Hefti, Vili,Hannar, Sviur,Billing, Bruni,Bild and Buri,Frar, Hornbori,Fraeg and Loni,Aurvang, Jari,Eikinskjaldi.

Mál er dvergaí Dvalins liðiljóna kindumtil Lofars teljaþeir er sóttufrá salar steiniAurvanga sjöttil Jöruvalla.

It's time to count the dwarvesin Dvalin's line,down to Lofar,for the sons of men —those who set outfrom the hall of stone,from Aurvangar's seat,to Joruvellir.

Þar var Draupnirok DolgþrasirHár, HaugsporiHlévangr, GlóinnDóri, ÓriDúfr, AndvariSkirfir, VirfirSkáfiðr, Ái.

There were Draupnirand Dolgthrasir,Har, Haugspori,Hlevang, Gloin,Dori, Ori,Duf, Andvari,Skirfir, Virfir,Skafid, Ai.

Alfr ok YngviEikinskjaldiFjalarr ok FrostiFinnr ok Ginnarr;þat mun æ uppimeðan öld lifirlangniðja talLofars hafat.---------

Alf and Yngvi,Eikinskjaldi,Fjalar and Frosti,Finn and Ginnar.That will stand forever,as long as men live —the long list of Lofar's kin.

Unz þrír kvámuór því liðiöflgir ok ástkiræsir at húsifundu á landilítt megandiAsk ok Embluörlöglausa.

Until three came, strong and loving,gods, from that company, to a dwelling;they found on the land, weak in strength,Ask and Embla, without fate.

Önd þau né áttuóð þau né höfðulá né lætiné litu góða;önd gaf Óðinnóð gaf Hænirlá gaf Lóðurrok litu góða.

They had no breath, no wit,no blood, no bearing, no fair color.Odin gave breath, Hoenir gave wit,Lodur gave blood and fair color.

Ask veit ek standaheitir Yggdrasillhár baðmr, ausinnhvíta auri;þaðan koma döggvarþærs í dala fallastendr æ yfir grænnUrðarbrunni.

I know an ash standing, called Yggdrasil,a tall tree, drenched in white clay;from it come the dews that fall in the valleys —it stands forever green over Urd's well.

Þaðan koma meyjarmargs vitandiþrjár ór þeim sæer und þolli stendr;Urð hétu einaaðra Verðandi- skáru á skíði, -Skuld ina þriðju;þær lög lögðuþær líf kurualda börnumörlög seggja.

From there come maidens, knowing much,three, out of the pool beneath the tree;one is called Urd, another Verdandi —they carved on wood — Skuld the third.They set down laws, they chose the livesof the sons of men, they spoke their fates.

Þat man hon folkvígfyrst í heimier Gullveigugeirum studduok í höll Hárshana brennduþrisvar brennduþrisvar bornaoft, ósjaldanþó hon enn lifir.

She remembers the first war in the world,when they drove spears through Gullveigand burned her in the hall of the High One —burned her three times, born three times,again and again — yet still she lives.

Heiði hana hétuhvars til húsa komvölu velspáavitti hon ganda;seið hon, hvars hon kunniseið hon hug leikinnæ var hon anganillrar brúðar.

They called her Heid, wherever she came to houses,a far-seeing seeress; she cast spells.She worked magic wherever she could,bewitched minds with her craft —she was always the joy of a wicked woman.

Þá gengu regin öllá rökstólaginnheilög goðok um þat gættuskhvárt skyldu æsirafráð gjaldaeða skyldu goðin öllgildi eiga.

Then all the powers went to their thrones of judgment,the holiest gods, and took counsel:whether the gods should pay a heavy tribute,or all the gods should share the cost.

Fleygði Óðinnok í folk of skautþat var enn folkvígfyrst í heimi;brotinn var borðveggrborgar ásaknáttu vanir vígspávöllu sporna.

Odin hurled his spear, shot it into the host —that was the first war in the world;the plank-wall around the gods' stronghold broke,the Vanir, skilled in war, trod the field.

Þá gengu regin öllá rökstólaginnheilög goðok um þat gættuskhverjir hefði loft alltlævi blanditeða ætt jötunsÓðs mey gefna.

Then all the powers went to their thrones of judgment,the holiest gods, and took counsel:who had mixed all the sky with evil,or given Od's bride to the race of giants.

Þórr einn þar váþrunginn móði- hann sjaldan sitr -er hann slíkt of fregn -:á gengusk eiðarorð ok særimál öll meginliger á meðal fóru.

Thor alone struck there, swollen with fury —he seldom sits still when he hears such things —and the oaths were broken, the words and vows,all the great pledges made between them.

Veit hon Heimdallarhljóð of folgitund heiðvönumhelgum baðmiá sér hon ausaskaurgum forsiaf veði Valföðrs.Vituð ér enn - eða hvat?

She knows that Heimdall's horn lies hiddenunder the bright and holy tree;she sees it drenched in a churning torrent,poured from the pledge that Odin paid.Do you know more now — or not?

Ein sat hon útiþá er inn aldni komyggjungr ásaok í augu leit.Hvers fregnið mik?Hví freistið mín?Allt veit ek, Óðinnhvar þú auga faltí inum mæraMímisbrunni.Drekkr mjöð Mímirmorgun hverjanaf veði Valföðrs.Vituð ér enn - eða hvat?

She sat alone outside when the old one came,the terror of the gods, and looked in her eyes."What do you ask of me? Why do you test me?I know it all, Odin — where you hid your eye,deep in the famous well of Mimir."Mimir drinks mead every morningfrom the pledge that the Father of the Slain paid.Do you know more now — or not?

Valði henni Herföðrhringa ok menfekk spjöll spakligok spá gandasá hon vítt ok of víttof veröld hverja.

The Father of Hosts gave her rings and necklaces,gave her wise words and the gift of far-sight;she saw wide, and ever wider,over every world there is.

Sá hon valkyrjurvítt of komnargörvar at ríðatil Goðþjóðar;Skuld helt skildien Skögul önnurGunnr, Hildr, Göndulok Geirskögul.Nú eru talðarnönnur Herjansgörvar at ríðagrund valkyrjur.

She saw valkyries gathering from afar,ready to ride to the gods' own land;Skuld held a shield, and Skogul another,Gunn, Hild, Gondul, and Geirskogul.Now the maidens of the War-Father are named —valkyries, ready to ride the earth.

Ek sá Baldriblóðgum tívurÓðins barniörlög folgin;stóð of vaxinnvöllum hærimjór ok mjök fagrmistilteinn.

I saw for Baldr, the bleeding god,Odin's own child, a fate laid hidden:standing grown, taller than the field,slender and very fair — the mistletoe.

Varð af þeim meiðier mær sýndiskharmflaug hættligHöðr nam skjóta;Baldrs bróðir varof borinn snemmasá nam Óðins sonreinnættr vega.

From that stem, which had seemed so slight,came a deadly shaft — Hod let it fly.Baldr's brother was born early;one night old, he struck for Odin's son.

Þó hann æva hendrné höfuð kembðiáðr á bál of barBaldrs andskota;en Frigg of grétí Fensölumvá Valhallar.Vituð ér enn - eða hvat?

He never washed his hands, never combed his hair,until he carried Baldr's killer to the fire.But Frigg wept in Fensalirfor the grief of Valhalla.Do you know more now — or not?

Þá kná Válivígbönd snúaheldr váru harðgörhöft ór þörmum.

Then Vali twisted the war-bonds tight —cruelly made were those fetters,cut from entrails.

Haft sá hon liggjaund Hveralundilægjarns líkiLoka áþekkjan;þar sitr Sigynþeygi of sínumver vel glýjuð.Vituð ér enn - eða hvat?

She saw one lying bound, under Hveralund,in the shape of treacherous Loki;there sits Sigyn, not glad at all,watching over her husband.Do you know more now — or not?

Á fellur austanum eitrdalasöxum ok sverðumSlíðr heitir sú.

A river flows from the east, through valleys of poison,heavy with knives and swords —it is called Slid.

Stóð fyr norðaná Niðavöllumsalr ór gulliSindra ættar;en annarr stóðá Ókólnibjórsalr jötunsen sá Brimir heitir.

To the north, on Nidavellir, stooda hall of gold, built by Sindri's kin;and another stood on Okolnir,the giant's beer-hall — that one is called Brimir.

Sal sá hon standasólu fjarriNáströndu ánorðr horfa dyrr;falla eitrdroparinn um ljórasá er undinn salrorma hryggjum.

She saw a hall standing, far from the sun,on the Shore of Corpses, its doors facing north;drops of poison fall in through the smoke-hole —that hall is woven from serpents' backs.

Sá hon þar vaðaþunga straumamenn meinsvaraok morðvargaok þann er annars glepreyrarúnu;þar saug Niðhöggrnái framgengnasleit vargr vera.Vituð ér enn - eða hvat?

She saw men wading there, through heavy currents,oath-breakers, and murderers too,and those who seduced another man's wife;there Nidhogg sucked the blood of the dead,the wolf tore men apart.Do you know more now — or not?

Austr sat in aldnaí Járnviðiok fæddi þarFenris kindir;verðr af þeim öllumeinna nokkurrtungls tjúgarií trölls hami.

In the east sat the old one, in Ironwood,and there she raised the brood of Fenrir;one of them all will becomea snatcher of the moon, in troll's shape.

Fyllisk fjörvifeigra mannarýðr ragna sjötrauðum dreyra;svört verða sólskinum sumur eftirveðr öll válynd.Vituð ér enn - eða hvat?

He gorges on the flesh of the doomed,reddens the halls of the gods with blood;sunlight turns black in the summers after,all weather grows wild and cruel.Do you know more now — or not?

Sat þar á haugiok sló hörpugýgjar hirðirglaðr Eggþér;gól of hánumí galgviðifagrrauðr hanisá er Fjalarr heitir.

On a hill he sat, and struck his harp —the giantess's herdsman, glad Eggther;above him crowed, in the gallows-wood,a bright red rooster, called Fjalar.

Gól of ásumGullinkambisá vekr hölðaat Herjaföðrs;en annarr gelrfyr jörð neðansótrauðr haniat sölum Heljar.

Gold-comb crowed out over the gods,waking the warriors at the War-Father's hall;and another crows below the earth,a soot-red rooster, at the gates of Hel.

Geyr nú Garmr mjökfyr Gnipahellifestr mun slitnaen freki renna;fjölð veit ek fræðafram sé ek lengraum ragna rökrömm sigtíva.

Garm bays loud nowbefore Gnipahellir —the chain will snap,the wolf run free.Much lore I hold,and I see further still:the doom of the gods,the fall of the mighty.

Bræðr munu berjaskok at bönum verðaskmunu systrungarsifjum spilla;hart er í heimihórdómr mikillskeggöld, skalmöldskildir ro klofnirvindöld, vargöldáðr veröld steypisk;mun engi maðröðrum þyrma.

Brothers will fight, and kill each other;sisters' sons will break their kinship.Hard is the world, deep in whoredom —an axe-age, a sword-age, shields split apart,a wind-age, a wolf-age, before the world falls.No man will spare another.

Leika Míms syniren mjötuðr kyndiskat inu gallaGjallarhorni;hátt blæss Heimdallrhorn er á loftimælir Óðinnvið Míms höfuð.

Mimir's sons play, and fate awakensat the sound of the Gjallarhorn;Heimdall blows loud, the horn held high —Odin speaks with Mimir's head.

Skelfr Yggdrasilsaskr standandiymr it aldna tréen jötunn losnar;hræðask allirá helvegumáðr Surtar þannsefi of gleypir.

Yggdrasil shakes, the standing ash —the old tree groans, and the giant breaks free.All things fear, on the roads of Hel,until Surt's fire swallows them.

Hvat er með ásum?Hvat er með alfum?Gnýr allr Jötunheimræsir ro á þingistynja dvergarfyr steindurumveggbergs vísir.Vituð ér enn - eða hvat?

What of the gods? What of the elves?All Jotunheim roars — the gods hold council.The dwarves groan before their doors of stone,masters of the rock.Do you know more now — or not?

Geyr nú Garmr mjökfyr Gnipahellifestr mun slitnaen freki renna;fjölð veit ek fræðafram sé ek lengraum ragna rökrömm sigtíva.

Garm bays loud nowbefore Gnipahellir —the chain will snap,the wolf run free.Much lore I hold,and I see further still:the doom of the gods,the fall of the mighty.

Hrymr ekr austanhefisk lind fyrirsnýsk Jörmungandrí jötunmóði;ormr knýr unniren ari hlakkarslítr nái niðfölrNaglfar losnar.

Hrym drives from the east, shield raised before him;the world-serpent writhes in giant-rage;the serpent churns the waves, the eagle screams,tearing at corpses — Naglfar breaks free.

Kjóll ferr austankoma munu Múspellsof lög lýðiren Loki stýrir;fara fíflmegirmeð freka allirþeim er bróðirBýleists í för.

A ship sails from the east — Muspell's people comeover the sea, with Loki at the helm;all the monstrous brood ride out with the wolf,and with them travels the brother of Byleist.

Surtr ferr sunnanmeð sviga læviskínn af sverðisól valtíva;grjótbjörg gnataen gífr ratatroða halir helvegen himinn klofnar.

Surt comes from the south with the bane of branches —fire that scorches; his sword shineslike the sun of the slaughter-gods.The cliffs of stone crash down, giant-women stumble,men tread the road to Hel, and the sky splits open.

Þá kemr Hlínarharmr annarr framer Óðinn ferrvið ulf vegaen bani Beljabjartr at Surti;þá mun Friggjarfalla angan.

Then comes to Hlin a second grief,when Odin goes out to fight the wolf,and the bright slayer of Beli turns on Surt —then Frigg's beloved will fall.

Geyr nú Garmr mjökfyr Gnipahellifestr mun slitnaen freki renna;fjölð veit ek fræðafram sé ek lengraum ragna rökrömm sigtíva.

Garm bays loud nowbefore Gnipahellir —the chain will snap,the wolf run free.Much lore I hold,and I see further still:the doom of the gods,the fall of the mighty.

Þá kemr inn miklimögr SigföðurVíðarr, vegaat valdýri.Lætr hann megi Hveðrungsmundum standahjör til hjartaþá er hefnt föður.

Then comes the great son of Sigfather,Vidar, to fight the beast of death.He drives his blade into the heartof Hvedrung's son — his father is avenged.

Þá kemr inn mærimögr Hlóðynjargengr Óðins sonrvið orm vegadrepr af móðiMiðgarðs véurrmunu halir allirheimstöð ryðja;gengr fet níuFjörgynjar burrneppr frá naðriníðs ókvíðnum.

Then comes the glorious son of Hlodyn,Odin's own son, to fight the serpent;the guardian of Midgard strikes in fury, kills it —all men will flee their homes.Nine steps he walks, Fjorgyn's son,worn out, away from the snake, unafraid.

Sól tér sortnasígr fold í marhverfa af himniheiðar stjörnur;geisar eimiok aldrnarileikr hár hitivið himin sjalfan.

The sun turns black, the earth sinks in the sea,the bright stars fall from the sky;fire rages and steam rises,flame leaps high against heaven itself.

Geyr nú Garmr mjökfyr Gnipahellifestr mun slitnaen freki renna;fjölð veit ek fræðafram sé ek lengraum ragna rökrömm sigtíva.

Garm bays loud nowbefore Gnipahellir —the chain will snap,the wolf run free.Much lore I hold,and I see further still:the doom of the gods,the fall of the mighty.

Sér hon upp komaöðru sinnijörð ór ægiiðjagræna;falla forsarflýgr örn yfirsá er á fjallifiska veiðir.

She sees the earth rise again,a second time, out of the sea, all green;waterfalls tumble, an eagle flies over,hunting fish from the mountainside.

Finnask æsirá Iðavelliok um moldþinurmáttkan dæmaok minnask þará megindómaok á Fimbultýsfornar rúnir.

The gods meet again at Idavoll,and speak of the mighty world-serpent;they remember there the great judgments,and the ancient runes of the Mighty One.

Þar munu eftirundrsamligargullnar töflurí grasi finnaskþærs í árdagaáttar höfðu.

There, in the grass, will be found againwondrous golden game-pieces —the ones they owned in the earliest days.

Munu ósánirakrar vaxaböls mun alls batnaBaldr mun koma;búa þeir Höðr ok BaldrHrofts sigtoftirvé valtíva.Vituð ér enn - eða hvat?

Fields will grow unsown, all harm will heal,Baldr will come back.Hod and Baldr will dwell in Hropt's battle-hall,the shrine of the war-gods.Do you know more now — or not?

Þá kná Hænirhlautvið kjósaok burir byggjabræðra tveggjavindheim víðan.Vituð ér enn - eða hvat?

Then Hoenir will choose the sacred lots,and the sons of two brothers will settlethe wide realm of the winds.Do you know more now — or not?

Sal sér hon standasólu fegragulli þakðaná Gimléi;þar skulu dyggvardróttir byggjaok um aldrdagaynðis njóta.

She sees a hall standing, fairer than the sun,roofed with gold, at Gimle;there the faithful people will dwell,and know joy for all their days.

Þá kemr inn ríkiat regindómiöflugr ofansá er öllu ræðr.

Then comes the mighty one, to the judgment of the powers,strong, descending from above —the one who rules over all.

Þar kemr inn dimmidreki fljúgandinaðr fránn, neðanfrá Niðafjöllum;berr sér í fjöðrum- flýgr völl yfir, -Niðhöggr nái.Nú mun hon sökkvask.

There comes the dark dragon, flying,the shining serpent, up from Nidafjoll;Nidhogg carries corpses in his feathersas he flies over the field. Now she will sink down.

Gáttir allaráðr gangi framum skoðask skylium skyggnast skyliþví at óvíst er at vitahvar óvinirsitja á fleti fyrir.

Every doorway, before you step through it,deserves a careful look, a careful watch —you can never be surewho your enemies areor where they're sitting,waiting for you inside.

Gefendr heilir!Gestr er inn kominnhvar skal sitja sjá?Mjök er bráðrsá er á bröndum skalsíns of freista frama.

Hail to the hosts!A guest has come in —where should he sit?He's in a hurry,the one who has to prove himselfright there by the fire.

Elds er þörfþeims inn er kominnok á kné kalinn;matar ok váðaer manni þörfþeim er hefr um fjall farit.

Fire is what he needs,the one who's come insidewith frozen knees;food and clothingare what a man needsafter crossing the mountains.

Vatns er þörfþeim er til verðar kemrþerru ok þjóðlaðargóðs of æðisef sér geta mættiorðs ok endrþögu.

Water is what he needs,the one who comes to the table,a towel and a warm welcome,good will if he can get it,a fair wordand an invitation to come again.

Vits er þörfþeim er víða ratar;dælt er heima hvat;at augabragði verðrsá er ekki kannok með snotrum sitr.

Wisdom is what you needif you travel far —anything's easy at home.He becomes a joke,the man who knows nothingand sits among the wise.

At hyggjandi sinniskyli-t maðr hræsinn veraheldr gætinn at geði;þá er horskr ok þögullkemr heimisgarða tilsjaldan verðr víti vörumþví at óbrigðra vinfær maðr aldregien mannvit mikit.

Don't boast about your own cleverness —keep watch over your mind instead.When a wise, quiet mancomes to someone's house,trouble rarely finds the careful.No friend is more reliablethan a great store of sense.

Inn vari gestrer til verðar kemrþunnu hljóði þegireyrum hlýðiren augum skoðar;svá nýsisk fróðra hverr fyrir.

The careful guestwho comes to the tablestays quiet and listens closely,hears with his ears,watches with his eyes —that's how every wise person feels out the room.

Hinn er sæller sér of getrlof ok líknstafi;ódælla er við þater maðr eiga skalannars brjóstum í.

Happy the onewho earns for himselfpraise and good will.It's harder to trustwhat a man keepslocked inside another's chest.

Sá er sæller sjalfr of álof ok vit, meðan lifir;því at ill ráðhefr maðr oft þegitannars brjóstum ór.

Happy the onewho has his own good senseand reputation while he lives —a man has often gottenbad adviceout of someone else's head.

Byrði betriberr-at maðr brautu aten sé mannvit mikit;auði betraþykkir þat í ókunnum stað;slíkt er válaðs vera.

No better burdencan a man carry on the roadthan a great store of sense;it's worth more than wealthin an unfamiliar place —that's the poor man's fortune.

Byrði betriberr-at maðr brautu aten sé mannvit mikit;vegnest verravegr-a hann velli aten sé ofdrykkja öls.

No better burdencan a man carry on the roadthan a great store of sense;no worse provisionweighs him down on the waythan drinking too much ale.

Er-a svá góttsem gótt kveðaöl alda sonaþví at færa veiter fleira drekkrsíns til geðs gumi.

Ale isn't as goodas people say it isfor men to drink —the more a man drinks,the less he knowshis own mind.

Óminnishegri heitirsá er yfir ölðrum þrumirhann stelr geði guma;þess fugls fjöðrumek fjötraðr varkí garði Gunnlaðar.

The heron of forgetting hoversover every drinking bout,stealing men's minds.I was caughtin that bird's feathers myself,trapped in Gunnlod's house.

Ölr ek varðvarð ofrölviat ins fróða Fjalars;því er ölðr baztat aftr of heimtirhverr sitt geð gumi.

I got drunk,dead drunk,at wise Fjalar's place.The best drinkingis the kindwhere you get your wits back after.

Þagalt ok hugaltskyli þjóðans barnok vígdjarft vera;glaðr ok reifrskyli gumna hverrunz sinn bíðr bana.

A ruler's childshould be quiet, thoughtful,and bold in a fight.Every manshould stay glad and cheerfuluntil the day death finds him.

Ósnjallr maðrhyggsk munu ey lifaef hann við víg varask;en elli gefrhánum engi friðþótt hánum geirar gefi.

The coward thinkshe'll live foreverif he steers clear of fighting;but old age won't spare him,even if spears do.

Kópir afglapier til kynnis kemrþylsk hann um eða þrumir;allt er sennef hann sylg of getruppi er þá geð guma.

The fool gapeswhen he arrives as a guest,mumbles to himself or sits silent;but the moment he gets a drink,his whole mindspills out into the open.

Sá einn veiter víða ratarok hefr fjölð of farithverju geðistýrir gumna hverrsá er vitandi er vits.

Only the man who has traveled farand seen a great dealreally understandswhat drives each person —that's what it means to have real sense.

Haldi-t maðr á keridrekki þó at hófi mjöðmæli þarft eða þegiókynnis þessvár þik engi maðrat þú gangir snemma at sofa.

Don't cling to the cup —drink your mead in moderation,say what needs saying or hold your tongue.No one will call it rudeif you go to bed early.

Gráðugr halrnema geðs vitietr sér aldrtrega;oft fær hlægiser með horskum kemrmanni heimskum magi.

A greedy man,if he can't check his appetite,eats his way into lasting trouble;a fool's bellyoften gets him mockedwhen he sits among the wise.

Hjarðir þat vitunær þær heim skuluok ganga þá af grasi;en ósviðr maðrkann ævagisíns of mál maga.

Herds knowwhen it's time to go homeand leave the grass behind;but a foolish mannever learnsthe size of his own stomach.

Vesall maðrok illa skapihlær at hvívetna;hittki hann veiter hann vita þyrftiat hann er-a vamma vanr.

A miserable, sour manlaughs at everything;what he doesn't know,and ought to,is that he's got plenty of faults himself.

Ósviðr maðrvakir um allar nætrok hyggr at hvívetna;þá er móðrer at morgni kemrallt er víl sem var.

A foolish manlies awake all night,worrying over everything;by morning he's exhausted,and every troubleis right where it was.

Ósnotr maðrhyggr sér alla veraviðhlæjendr vini;hittki hann fiðrþótt þeir um hann fár lesief hann með snotrum sitr.

A foolish manthinks everyone who laughs with himis his friend;he never noticeswhen they mock him behind his back,even sitting among clever people.

Ósnotr maðrhyggr sér alla veraviðhlæjendr vini;þá þat finnrer at þingi kemrat hann á formælendr fáa.

A foolish manthinks everyone who laughs with himis his friend;then he learns,once he's at the assembly,how few will speak up for him.

Ósnotr maðrþykkisk allt vitaef hann á sér í vá veru;hittki hann veithvat hann skal við kveðaef hans freista firar.

A foolish manthinks he knows everything,tucked away safe in his corner;but he has no idea what to saywhen people actually test him.

Ósnotr maðrer með aldir kemrþat er bazt, at hann þegi;engi þat veitat hann ekki kannnema hann mæli til margt;veit-a maðrhinn er vettki veitþótt hann mæli til margt.

When a foolish manis among people,his best move is silence;no one will knowhe knows nothing —unless he talks too much.But a man who knows nothingnever knows it,no matter how much he talks.

Fróðr sá þykkisker fregna kannok segja it sama;eyvitu leynamegu ýta synirþví er gengr um guma.

He seems wise,the one who knows how to askand how to answer;people can't keep secretwhatever's alreadygoing around about them.

Ærna mælirsá er æva þegirstaðlausu stafi;hraðmælt tunganema haldendr eigioft sér ógótt of gelr.

He says too much,the one who's never quiet —empty words.A fast tongue,with no one to hold it back,often sings its own downfall.

At augabragðiskal-a maðr annan hafaþótt til kynnis komi;margr þá fróðr þykkiskef hann freginn er-atok nái hann þurrfjallr þruma.

Don't make a jokeof a man just becausehe's come as your guest;plenty of people look wiseas long as no one asks them anythingand they can sit there unruffled.

Fróðr þykkisksá er flótta tekrgestr at gest hæðinn;veit-a görlasá er of verði glissirþótt hann með grömum glami.

A guest who walks awayfrom another guest's mockeryseems wise for it;but the one who sneers at the tabledoesn't really knowthat he's joking with his enemies.

Gumnar margirerusk gagnholliren at virði vrekask;aldar rógþat mun æ veraórir gestr við gest.

Many menare friendly enough with each otheruntil they're quarreling over dinner;that conflict between peoplewill always be there —guest turning on guest.

Árliga verðarskyli maðr oft fáanema til kynnis komi:str ok snópirlætr sem solginn séok kann fregna at fáu.

A man should usually eatbefore he comes visiting,not arrive fasting:hungry and famished,he sits there half-crazed,barely able to ask a thing.

Afhvarf mikiter til ills vinarþótt á brautu búien til góðs vinarliggja gagnvegirþótt hann sé firr farinn.

It's a long detourto a bad friend's house,even if he lives right on the road;but the straight pathslead to a good friend,even one who's settled far away.

Ganga skalskal-a gestr veraey í einum stað;ljúfr verðr leiðref lengi sitrannars fletjum á.

Move on —a guest shouldn't stayforever in one place.Welcome turns to wearinessif he sits too longon someone else's bench.

Bú er betraþótt lítit séhalr er heima hverr;þótt tvær geitr eigiok taugreftan salþat er þó betra en bæn.

A home of your own is better,even a small one —a man's his own master there.Even with just two goatsand a hut with a straw roof,that beats begging.

Bú er betraþótt lítit séhalr er heima hverr;blóðugt er hjartaþeim er biðja skalsér í mál hvert matar.

A home of your own is better,even a small one —a man's his own master there.A bleeding heart is what you getif you have to begfor every single meal.

Vápnum sínumskal-a maðr velli áfeti ganga framarþví at óvíst er at vitanær verðr á vegum útigeirs of þörf guma.

Never walk a single stepacross open groundaway from your weapons —you never knowwhen out on the roadyou'll need your spear.

Fannk-a ek mildan manneða svá matar góðanat væri-t þiggja þegiteða síns féarsvági [glöggvan]at leið sé laun, ef þægi.

I never met a man so generous,so free with food,that he wouldn't gladly take a gift back —or so free with his wealththat a reward in returnwas unwelcome.

Féar sínser fengit hefrskyli-t maðr þörf þola;oft sparir leiðumþats hefr ljúfum hugat;margt gengr verr en varir.

A man shouldn't go without,once he's gained some wealth;he often ends up savingfor someone he despiseswhat he meant for someone he loves —much turns out worse than you'd expect.

Vápnum ok váðumskulu vinir gleðjask;þat er á sjalfum sýnst;viðrgefendr ok endrgefendrerusk lengst viniref þat bíðr at verða vel.

Friends should give each otherweapons and clothing —that's what shows plainest in a person.Those who give and give backstay friends the longest,if things go well between them.

Vin sínumskal maðr vinr veraok gjalda gjöf við gjöf;hlátr við hlátriskyli hölðar takaen lausung við lygi.

A man should be a friendto his friend,and pay back gift with gift;meet laughter with laughter,and treachery with lies of your own.

Vin sínumskal maðr vinr veraþeim ok þess vin;en óvinar sínsskyli engi maðrvinar vinr vera.

A man should be a friendto his friend,and to that friend's friend too;but no one should be friendswith a friendof his enemy.

Veiztu, ef þú vin áttþann er þú vel trúirok vill þú af hánum gótt getageði skaltu við þann blandaok gjöfum skiptafara at finna oft.

Know this: if you have a friendyou fully trust,and want the best from him,share your mind with him,trade gifts,and go see him often.

Ef þú átt annanþanns þú illa trúirvildu af hánum þó gótt getafagrt skaltu við þann mælaen flátt hyggjaok gjalda lausung við lygi.

If you have someoneyou don't trust,but still want something good from him,speak fair words to his facewhile you think otherwise —pay deceit back with deceit.

Það er enn of þanner þú illa trúirok þér er grunr at hans geðihlæja skaltu við þeimok um hug mæla;glík skulu gjöld gjöfum.

And this too,about the man you distrustand whose motives you doubt:laugh along with him,say the opposite of what you think —gifts should be repaid in kind.

Ungr var ek forðumfór ek einn samanþá varð ek villr vega;auðigr þóttumker ek annan fannmaðr er manns gaman.

I was young once,traveling alone,and I lost my way.I felt richthe day I found a companion —one person is another's joy.

Mildir, fræknirmenn bazt lifasjaldan sút ala;en ósnjallr maðruggir hotvetnasýtir æ glöggr við gjöfum.

Generous, bold peoplelive best,rarely feeding their own worries;but the coward dreads everything,and the miseralways resents giving gifts.

Váðir mínargaf ek velli attveim trémönnum;rekkar þat þóttusker þeir rift höfðu;neiss er nökkviðr halr.

I once gave my clothes awayin a fieldto two wooden men —they felt like warriorsonce they had cloaks.A naked man is a shamed one.

Hrörnar þöllsú er stendr þorpi áhlýr-at henni börkr né barr;svá er maðrsá er manngi ann.Hvat skal hann lengi lifa?

The pine tree withers,the one standing out in the open —no bark, no needles keep it warm.So it is with a manthat nobody loves.Why should he go on living?

Eldi heitaribrennr með illum vinumfriðr fimm dagaen þá sloknarer inn sétti kemrok versnar allr vinskapr.

Hotter than fire,friendship with bad friendsburns for five days;then it goes outon the sixth,and the whole thing turns sour.

Mikit eittskal-a manni gefa;oft kaupir sér í litlu lofmeð halfum hleifok með höllu kerifekk ek mér félaga.

You don't need to give someonesomething huge —gratitude often comes cheap.With half a loaf of breadand a half-empty cupI made myself a friend.

Lítilla sandalítilla sævalítil eru geð guma;því allir mennurðu-t jafnspakir;half er öld hvar.

Small sands, small seas,small are the minds of men —not everyone grew equally wise.Everyone'sonly halfway there.

Meðalsnotrskyli manna hverr;æva til snotr sé;þeim er fyrðafegrst at lifaer vel margt vitu.

Everyone should be moderately wise —never too wise.The finest livesbelong to thosewho know a fair amount,not everything.

Meðalsnotrskyli manna hverræva til snotr sé;því at snotrs manns hjartaverðr sjaldan glattef sá er alsnotr, er á.

Everyone should be moderately wise —never too wise.A wise heartis rarely a glad one,if the one who owns it knows too much.

Meðalsnotrskyli manna hverræva til snotr sé;örlög sínviti engi fyrirþeim er sorgalausastr sefi.

Everyone should be moderately wise —never too wise.No one should know their own fateahead of time;that's the mindfreest from sorrow.

Brandr af brandibrenn, unz brunninn erfuni kveikisk af funa;maðr af manniverðr at máli kuðren til dælskr af dul.

Torch lights torchtill it burns out,flame kindles flame.A man becomes known to other men through speech,and dull through silence.

Ár skal rísasá er annars villfé eða fjör hafa;sjaldan liggjandi ulfrlær of getrné sofandi maðr sigr.

Get up early,if you wantanother man's wealth or life —a wolf lying downrarely gets a haunch of meat,and a sleeping man never wins.

Ár skal rísasá er á yrkjendr fáaok ganga síns verka á vit;margt of dvelrþann er um morgin sefrhálfr er auðr und hvötum.

Get up earlyif you have few hands to help —go check your own work.A lot gets delayedfor the one who sleeps late;half of wealth goes to the quick.

Þurra skíðaok þakinna næfraþess kann maðr mjötþess viðarer vinnask megimál ok misseri.

A man should know the right measureof dry firewoodand bark for thatching —and how much woodwill get him througha season, a half-year.

Þveginn ok mettrríði maðr þingi atþótt hann sé-t væddr til vel;skúa ok brókaskammisk engi maðrné hests in heldrþótt hann hafi-t góðan

Washed and fed,a man should ride to the assembly,even if his clothes aren't much.No one should be ashamedof his shoes or trousers,or of his horse,even a poor one.

Snapir ok gnapirer til sævar kemrörn á aldinn mar;svá er maðrer með mörgum kemrok á formælendr fáa.

He snaps and bows his head,coming to the sea —the eagle over the old waves.So it is with a manwho steps among a crowdand has no one to speak for him.

Fregna ok segjaskal fróðra hverrsá er vill heitinn horskr;einn vitané annarr skalþjóð veit, ef þrír ro.

A wise manshould know how to ask and answerif he wants to be called clever.One person can keep a secret,and maybe a second —but tell it to a third, and everyone knows.

Ríki sittskyli ráðsnotrahverr í hófi hafa;þá hann þat finnrer með fræknum kemrat engi er einna hvatastr.

A sensible manshould keep his own powerwithin reasonable limits;he'll find, once he's among the bold,that no one standsas the boldest of all.

-- -- -- --orða þeiraer maðr öðrum segiroft hann gjöld of getr.

—For the wordsone man speaks to another,he often gets paid back.

Mikilsti snemmakom ek í marga staðien til síð í suma;öl var drukkitsumt var ólagatsjaldan hittir leiðr í líð.

Too earlyI arrived in many places,and too late to others;the ale was already gone in some,not yet brewed in others —an unwelcome man rarely gets the timing right.

Hér ok hvarmyndi mér heim of boðitef þyrftak at málungi mateða tvau lær hengiat ins tryggva vinarþars ek hafða eitt etit.

I'd be invited homehere and thereif I actually needed a meal at mealtime —or if two hams hungat my true friend's housewhere I'd already eaten one.

Eldr er beztrmeð ýta sonumok sólar sýnheilyndi sittef maðr hafa náirán við löst at lifa.

Fire is the best thingamong the sons of men,and the sight of the sun;good health too, if you can have it,and a life livedwithout shame.

Er-at maðr alls vesallþótt hann sé illa heill;sumr er af sonum sællsumr af frændumsumr af fé ærnusumr af verkum vel.

A man isn't unlucky in everything,even with poor health.One man finds joy in his sons,another in his kin,another in plenty of wealth,another in work well done.

Betra er lifðumen sé ólifðumey getr kvikr kú;eld sá ek upp brennaauðgum manni fyriren úti var dauðr fyr durum.

Better to livethan not to live —the living man always gets the cow.I saw the fire blazingfor a rich man's household,and outside his door,a dead man lying.

Haltr ríðr hrossihjörð rekr handar vanrdaufr vegr ok dugirblindr er betrien brenndr séinýtr manngi nás.

The lame man rides a horse,the handless man herds cattle,the deaf man fights and gets by.Better to be blindthan to be burned —no one gets any usefrom a corpse.

Sonr er betriþótt sé síð of alinneftir genginn guma;sjaldan bautarsteinarstanda brautu nærnema reisi niðr at nið.

A son is worth having,even born late,after the father's gone.Memorial stones rarely standby the roadside,unless a kinsman raised it for a kinsman.

Tveir ro eins herjartunga er höfuðs bani;er mér í heðin hvernhandar væni.

Two together can take on one;the tongue is the death of the head.In every fur coatI expect to find a hidden hand.

Nótt verðr feginnsá er nesti trúirskammar ro skips ráar;hverf er haustgríma;fjölð of viðrirá fimm dögumen meira á mánuði.

He welcomes the night,the one who trusts his supplies.A ship's yard is short.Autumn darkness is changeable —the weather turnsmany times in five days,more in a month.

Veit-a hinner vettki veitmargr verðr af aurum api;maðr er auðigrannar óauðigrskyli-t þann vítka váar.

He doesn't know it,the one who knows nothing —money turns plenty of men into fools.One man is rich,another poor —don't hold that misfortune against him.

Deyr fédeyja frændrdeyr sjalfr it samaen orðstírrdeyr aldregihveim er sér góðan getr.

Cattle die, kinsmen die,you yourself will die the same;but reputation never diesfor the one who earns it well.

Deyr fédeyja frændrdeyr sjalfr it samaek veit einnat aldrei deyr:dómr um dauðan hvern.

Cattle die, kinsmen die,you yourself will die the same;I know one thing that never dies —the verdict passed on every dead man.

Fullar grindrsá ek fyr Fitjungs sonumnú bera þeir vánar völ;svá er auðrsem augabragðhann er valtastr vina.

I saw full cattle-pensthat belonged to Fitjung's sons —now they carry the beggar's staff.Wealth is like the blink of an eye;it's the most fickle friend there is.

Ósnotr maðref eignask getrfé eða fljóðs munuðmetnaðr hánum þróasken mannvit aldregifram gengr hann drjúgt í dul.

If a foolish manmanages to get wealth,or a woman's love,his pride grows —but never his sense.He goes aroundthoroughly pleased with himself.

Þat er þá reynter þú að rúnum spyrrinum reginkunnumþeim er gerðu ginnreginok fáði fimbulþulrþá hefir hann bazt, ef hann þegir.

This much is proven true:when you ask about the runes,the ones the gods themselves made,shaped by the high powers,painted by the mighty sage —silence serves you best.

At kveldi skal dag leyfakonu, er brennd ermæki, er reyndr ermey, er gefin erís, er yfir kemröl, er drukkit er.

Praise the day at dusk,a woman once she's on the pyre,a sword once it's been tested,a bride once she's married,ice once you've crossed it,ale once it's drunk.

Í vindi skal við höggvaveðri á sjó róamyrkri við man spjallamörg eru dags augu;á skip skal skriðar orkaen á skjöld til hlífarmæki höggsen mey til kossa.

Chop wood in the wind,row out in fair weather,court a woman in the dark —daylight has too many eyes.A ship is for speed,a shield for cover,a sword for the cut,a girl for kissing.

Við eld skal öl drekkaen á ísi skríðamagran mar kaupaen mæki saurganheima hest feitaen hund á búi.II.

Drink ale by the fire,skate on the ice,buy a lean horseand a tarnished sword;fatten the horse at home,the dog on the farm.II.

Meyjar orðumskyli manngi trúané því, er kveðr konaþví at á hverfanda hvéliváru þeim hjörtu sköpuðbrigð í brjóst of lagið.

No one should trusta young woman's words,or anything a woman says —their hearts were shapedon a spinning wheel,fickleness built into their chests.

Brestanda bogabrennanda logagínanda ulfigalandi krákurýtanda svínirótlausum viðivaxanda vágivellanda katli

Trust none of these:a bow about to snap,a blazing flame,a gaping wolf,a cawing crow,a grunting boar,a rootless tree,a rising wave,a boiling kettle,

Fljúganda fleinifallandi báruísi einnættumormi hringlegnumbrúðar beðmálumeða brotnu sverðibjarnar leikieða barni konungs.

A flying spear,a falling wave,ice just one night old,a coiled serpent,a bride's pillow-talk,a broken sword,the play of a bear,or a king's child,

Sjúkum kalfisjalfráða þrælivölu vilmælival nýfelldum.

A sick calf,a headstrong slave,a witch's flattering words,a corpse freshly killed.

Akri ársánumtrúi engi maðrné til snemma syni- veðr ræðr akri.en vit syni;hætt er þeira hvárt.

Let no man trustan early-sown field,or a son too soon —weather rules the field,wit rules the son;either one can fail him.

Bróðurbana sínumþótt á brautu mætihúsi hálfbrunnuhesti alskjótum- þá er jór ónýtref einn fótr brotnar -verði-t maðr svá tryggrat þessu trúi öllu.

Not even his brother's killer,if he meets him on the road;a half-burned house;a horse that's very fast —one leg brokenand the horse is worthless —no one should be so trustingas to trust in all of this.

Svá er friðr kvennaþeira er flátt hyggjasem aki jó óbryddumá ísi hálumteitum, tvévetrumok sé tamr illaeða í byr óðumbeiti stjórnlausueða skyli haltr hendahrein í þáfjalli.

So it is with the love of womenwho think one thing and mean another —like riding an unshod horseon slick ice,a skittish two-year-oldthat's barely broken,or steering a rudderless shipin a wild wind,or a lame mantrying to catch a reindeeron a thawing mountain.

Bert ek nú mæliþví at ek bæði veitbrigðr er karla hugr konum;þá vér fegrst mælumer vér flást hyggjum:þat tælir horska hugi.

I'll speak plainly now,since I know both sides of it —men's minds are just as fickletoward women.We speak the sweetestexactly when we mean the least —and that's what fools even clever minds.

Fagrt skal mælaok fé bjóðasá er vill fljóðs ást fálíki leyfains ljósa manssá fær, er fríar.

Speak sweetly,offer gifts,if you want to win a woman's love;praise the bodyof the bright girl —the one who courts well, wins.

Ástar firnaskyli engi maðrannan aldregi;oft fá á horskaner á heimskan né fálostfagrir litir.

No man should ever blame anotherfor falling in love;a beautiful faceoften captures the wise manwhere it wouldn't even touch a fool.

Eyvitar firnaer maðr annan skalþess er um margan gengr guma;heimska ór horskumgerir hölða sonusá inn máttki munr.

A man shouldn't blame anotherfor something that happensto plenty of men —that powerful desireturns even wise men's sonsinto fools.

Hugr einn þat veiter býr hjarta næreinn er hann sér of sefa;öng er sótt verrihveim snotrum mannien sér engu at una.

Only the mind knowswhat lives close to the heart —it alone knows its own mood.No sickness is worsefor a thoughtful personthan finding nothing to be content with.

Þat ek þá reyndaer ek í reyri satok vættak míns munar;hold ok hjartavar mér in horska mær;þeygi ek hana at heldr hefik.

I learned that myself,sitting in the reeds,waiting for what I wanted;that clever girlwas flesh and heart to me —and still I never had her.

Billings meyek fann beðjum ásólhvíta sofa;jarls ynðiþótti mér ekki veranema við þat lík at lifa.

I found Billing's daughterasleep on her bed,white as sunlight;a nobleman's fortunemeant nothing to menext to living with that body.

"Auk nær aftniskaltu, Óðinn, komaef þú vilt þér mæla man;allt eru ósköpnema einir vitislíkan löst saman."

"Come back near evening, Odin,if you want to have me.It would be ruinif anyone knew of this shamebut the two of us."

Aftr ek hvarfok unna þóttumkvísum vilja frá;hitt ek hugðaat ek hafa myndageð hennar allt ok gaman.

I went away,and thought myself loved,her will made plain to me;I believedI would haveher whole heart, and her joy.

Svá kom ek næstat in nýta varvígdrótt öll of vakinmeð brennandum ljósumok bornum viðisvá var mér vílstígr of vitaðr.

So I came back —and the whole householdwas wide awake,torches burning,firewood carried in —a path of miserywas what waited for me.

Auk nær morgnier ek var enn of kominnþá var saldrótt of sofin;grey eitt ek þá fanninnar góðu konubundit beðjum á.

And near morning,when I came again,the household was all asleep;a dog was all I found,the good woman's dog,tied to her bed.

Mörg er góð mæref görva kannarhugbrigð við hali;þá ek þat reyndaer it ráðspakateygða ek á flærðir fljóð;háðungar hverrarleitaði mér it horska manok hafða ek þess vettki vífs.III.

Many a woman, once you know her well,turns out fickle toward men —I found that out myself,when I tried to trickthat clever girl with deceit;she paid me backwith every kind of scorn,and from that womanI got nothing at all.III.

Heima glaðr gumiok við gesti reifrsviðr skal um sig veraminnigr ok málugref hann vill margfróðr veraoft skal góðs geta;fimbulfambi heitirsá er fátt kann segjaþat er ósnotrs aðal.

Cheerful at home,warm with guests,a man should be sharp about himself —remembering well,speaking well,if he wants a reputation for wisdom;and he should keep speaking of good things."Utter fool" is the namefor the man who has little to say —that's the mark of a fool.

Inn aldna jötun ek sóttanú em ek aftr of kominn:fátt gat ek þegjandi þar;mörgum orðummælta ek í minn framaí Suttungs sölum.

I sought out the old giant —now I've come back again.Staying silent got me nowhere there;I spoke plenty of wordsto my own advantage,inside Suttung's halls.

Gunnlöð mér of gafgullnum stóli ádrykk ins dýra mjaðar;ill iðgjöldlét ek hana eftir hafasíns ins heila hugarsíns ins svára sefa.

Gunnlod gave me,sitting on a golden seat,a drink of the precious mead;a poor rewardI left her withfor her whole and trusting heart,for her heavy, troubled mind.

Rata munnlétumk rúms of fáok um grjót gnaga;yfir ok undirstóðumk jötna vegirsvá hætta ek höfði til.

I used Rati's mouthto make myself room,and gnawed through the stone;giants' paths stoodabove me and below —that's how I risked my head.

Vel keypts litarhefi ek vel notitfás er fróðum vantþví at Óðrerirer nú upp kominná alda vés jaðar.

That hard-bought prizeI've put to good use —a wise man lacks for little.Now Odrerirhas been carried upto the edge of the world of men.

Ifi er mér áat ek væra enn kominnjötna görðum óref ek Gunnlaðar né nytakinnar góðu konuþeirar er lögðumk arm yfir.

I doubt I would have made it backout of the giants' halls at all,if it weren't for Gunnlod,that good woman,the one who put her arm around me.

Ins hindra dagsgengu hrímþursarHáva ráðs at fregnaHáva höllu í;at Bölverki þeir spurðuef hann væri með böndum kominneða hefði hánum Suttungr of sóit.

The next day the frost-giants wentto ask for the High One's counsel,inside the High One's hall;about Bolverk they asked —had he come back among the gods,or had Suttung struck him down?

Baugeið Óðinnhygg ek, at unnit hafi;hvat skal hans tryggðum trúa?Suttung svikinnhann lét sumbli fráok grætta Gunnlöðu.IV.

Odin had swornan oath on the ring, I think —what good is his word worth?He left Suttungcheated of the feast,and Gunnlodin tears.IV.

Mál er at þyljaþular stóli áUrðarbrunni atsá ek ok þagðaksá ek ok hugðakhlýdda ek á manna mál;of rúnar heyrða ek dæmané of ráðum þögðuHáva höllu atHáva höllu íheyrða ek segja svá:

It's time to speakfrom the sage's seat,by Urd's well;I watched, and stayed silent,I watched, and I thought,I listened to what people said;I heard them debate the runes,and they had plenty to sayabout counsel too —at the High One's hall,in the High One's hall,I heard it said like this:

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:nótt þú rís-atnema á njósn séireða þú leitir þér innan út staðar.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —don't get up at night,unless you're keeping watch,or you need to step outside to the outhouse.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:fjölkunnigri konuskal-at-tu í faðmi sofasvá at hon lyki þik liðum.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —never sleep in the arms of a woman skilled in magic,or she'll lock your limbs in place.

Hon svá gerirat þú gáir eigiþings né þjóðans máls;mat þú vill-atné mannskis gamanferr þú sorgafullr at sofa.

She'll make it soyou no longer careabout the assembly, or public matters;you won't want food,or anyone's company —you'll go to sleep miserable.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:annars konuteygðu þér aldregieyrarúnu at.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —never lure another man's wifeinto a secret affair with you.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:á fjalli eða firðief þik fara tíðirfásktu at virði vel.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —on mountain or fjord,if your travels take you there,make sure you're well stocked with food.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:illan mannláttu aldregióhöpp at þér vitaþví at af illum mannifær þú aldregigjöld ins góða hugar.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —never let a bad manknow of your troubles,because from a bad manyou'll never getany goodwill in return.

Ofarla bítaek sá einum halorð illrar konu;fláráð tungavarð hánum at fjörlagiok þeygi of sanna sök.

I once saw a mancut deepby a wicked woman's words;a lying tonguecost him his life —and there wasn't even any truth to the charge.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:veistu, ef þú vin áttþann er þú vel trúirfar þú at finna oftþví at hrísi vexok hávu grasivegr, er vættki treðr.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —know this: if you have a friendyou truly trust,go and visit him often —a path nobody walksgrows over with brushand tall grass.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:góðan mannteygðu þér at gamanrúnumok nem líknargaldr, meðan þú lifir.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —draw a good man to youwith warm conversation,and learn the charms of healingwhile you're alive to learn them.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:vin þínumver þú aldregifyrri at flaumslitum;sorg etr hjartaef þú segja né náireinhverjum allan hug.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —never be the firstto break off with your friend;sorrow eats at the heartif you can't tell anyoneyour whole mind.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:orðum skiptaþú skalt aldregivið ósvinna apa

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —never trade wordswith a witless fool

Því at af illum mannimundu aldregigóðs laun of getaen góðr maðrmun þik gerva megalíknfastan at lofi.

because from a bad manyou will neverget a good reward —but a good mancan make your namefirmly praised.

Sifjum er þá blandathver er segja ræðreinum allan hug;allt er betraen sé brigðum at vera;er-a sá vinr öðrum, er vilt eitt segir.

Real closeness existswhen a man can tell anotherhis whole mind;anything is betterthan being unreliable —a man who only tells youwhat you want to hearis no friend at all.

Ráðumk, þér Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:þrimr orðum sennaskal-at-tu þér við verra mannoft inn betri bilarþá er inn verri vegr.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —don't trade three words in argumentwith a lesser man;the better man often comes off worseonce the worse one starts swinging.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:skósmiðr þú verirné skeftismiðrnema þú sjalfum þér séir:skór er skapaðr illaeða skaft sé rangtþá er þér böls beðit.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —don't make shoesor spear-shafts for anyone but yourself:if the shoe comes out badly,or the shaft is crooked,you're the one who'll be cursed for it.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:hvars þú böl kanntkveð þú þér bölvi atok gef-at þínum fjándum frið.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —wherever you find real evil,call it evil to its face,and give your enemies no peace.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:illu feginnver þú aldregien lát þér at góðu getit.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —never take pleasure in evil,let only good thingsbring you satisfaction.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:upp lítaskal-at-tu í orrustu- gjalti glíkirverða gumna synir, -síðr þitt of heilli halir.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —don't look up in the middle of battle— men turn wild with fear, like panicked animals —or warriors may curse your luck away.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:ef þú vilt þér góða konukveðja at gamanrúnumok fá fögnuð affögru skaltu heitaok láta fast vera;leiðisk manngi gótt, ef getr.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —if you want to win a good womanwith warm words,and find happiness with her,promise her beautiful things,and keep your word firmly —no one grows tired of a good thing, once they have it.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:varan bið ek þik veraok eigi ofvaran;ver þú við öl varastrok við annars konuok við þat it þriðjaat þjófar né leiki.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —be careful,but not overly careful;be most careful around ale,around another man's wife,and a third thing —don't let thieves get the better of you.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:at háði né hlátrihafðu aldregigest né ganganda.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —never make a guest,or a traveler passing through,the target of mockery or laughter.

Oft vitu ógörlaþeir er sitja inni fyrirhvers þeir ro kyns, er koma;er-at maðr svá góðrat galli né fylginé svá illr, at einugi dugi.

Those already sitting insideoften don't really knowwhat kind of person has just arrived;no one is so goodthat he has no faults,and no one so badthat he's worthless entirely.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:at hárum þulhlæ þú aldregioft er gótt, þat er gamlir kveða;oft ór skörpum belgskilin orð komaþeim er hangir með hámok skollir með skrámok váfir með vílmögum.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —never laugh at a gray-haired speaker —what old men say is often worth hearing;wise words often comefrom a shriveled old hide,from someone who hangs among the leather scraps,dangles among the pelts,and sways among the outcasts.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:gest þú né geyjané á grind hrekir;get þú váluðum vel.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —don't bark at a guest,don't chase him off at the gate;treat the needy well.

Rammt er þat tréer ríða skalöllum at upploki;baug þú gefeða þat biðja munþér læs hvers á liðu.

Strong is the door-beamthat must be raisedto let everyone in —give a ring,or you'll feel itin every limb,the curse it can bring down on you.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:hvars þú öl drekkirkjós þér jarðar meginþví at jörð tekr við ölðrien eldr við sóttumeik við abbindiax við fjölkynngihöll við hýrógi- heiftum skal mána kveðja, -beiti við bitsóttumen við bölvi rúnarfold skal við flóði taka.V.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —wherever you're drinking ale,call on the strength of the earth —earth soaks up drink,fire cures sickness,oak cures a bound-up bowel,a grain-ear cures sorcery,a hall cures house-strife —call on the moon against hatred —grazing-grass cures a biting sickness,and runes cure harm;the ground will soak up the flood.V.

Veit ek, at ek hekkvindga meiði ánætr allar níugeiri undaðrok gefinn Óðnisjalfr sjalfum mérá þeim meiðier manngi veithvers af rótum renn.

I know that I hungon the windswept treefor nine long nights,wounded by a spear,given to Odin,myself to myself,on that treewhose rootsno one knows.

Við hleifi mik sælduné við hornigi;nýsta ek niðrnam ek upp rúnaræpandi namfell ek aftr þaðan.

No bread did they give me,no drink from the horn;I peered down,I seized the runes,screaming I seized them —then I fell back down.

Fimbulljóð níunam ek af inum frægja syniBölþorns, Bestlu föðurok ek drykk of gatins dýra mjaðarausinn Óðreri.

Nine mighty songs I learnedfrom the famous son of Bolthorn,Bestla's father,and I got a drinkof the precious mead,poured from Odrerir.

Þá nam ek frævaskok fróðr veraok vaxa ok vel hafaskorð mér af orðiorðs leitaðiverk mér af verkiverks leitaði.

Then I began to grow,to know,to thrive and prosper;one word led me to another word,one deed led me to another deed.

Rúnar munt þú finnaok ráðna stafimjök stóra stafimjök stinna stafier fáði fimbulþulrok gerðu ginnreginok reist hroftr rögna.

You will find runesand meaningful signs,very great signs,very strong signs,painted by the mighty sage,shaped by the high powers,carved by Hropt of the gods.

Óðinn með ásumen fyr alfum DáinnDvalinn ok dvergum fyrirÁsviðr jötnum fyrirek reist sjalfr sumar.

Odin among the Aesir,Dain for the elves,Dvalin for the dwarves,Asvid for the giants —and I myself carved some.

Veistu, hvé rísta skal?Veistu, hvé ráða skal?Veistu, hvé fáa skal?Veistu, hvé freista skal?Veistu, hvé biðja skal?Veistu, hvé blóta skal?Veistu, hvé senda skal?Veistu, hvé sóa skal?

Do you know how to carve them?Do you know how to read them?Do you know how to color them?Do you know how to test them?Do you know how to ask?Do you know how to offer?Do you know how to send an offering?Do you know how to slaughter one?

Betra er óbeðiten sé ofblótitey sér til gildis gjöf;betra er ósenten sé ofsóit.Svá Þundr of reistfyr þjóða rökþar hann upp of reiser hann aftr of kom.VI.

Better not to ask at allthan to sacrifice too much —a gift always looks for its return.Better not to send an offeringthan to over-slaughter one.So Thund carved,before the fate of nations,where he rose up,when he came back.VI.

Ljóð ek þau kanner kann-at þjóðans konaok mannskis mögr.Hjalp heitir eitten þat þér hjalpa munvið sökum ok sorgumok sútum görvöllum.

I know charmsthat no king's wife knows,and no man's son.The first is called Help —it will help youagainst grievances,grief, and every kind of sorrow.

Þat kann ek annater þurfu ýta synirþeir er vilja læknar lifa.

I know a second —one that healers need,anyone who means to practice medicine.

Það kann ek þriðja:ef mér verðr þörf mikilhafts við mína heiftmögueggjar ek deyfiminna andskotabíta-t þeim vápn né velir.

I know a third:if I badly needto bind my enemies,I blunt their blades —no weapon of theirs,no war-club, will cut.

Þat kann ek it fjórða:ef mér fyrðar berabönd að boglimumsvá ek gelat ek ganga másprettr mér af fótum fjöturren af höndum haft.

I know a fourth:if men bind fetterson my bent limbs,I chant a charmand I can walk —the shackle springs from my feet,the bond from my hands.

Þat kann ek it fimmta:ef ek sé af fári skotinnflein í folki vaðafýgr-a hann svá stinntat ek stöðvig-a-kef ek hann sjónum of sék.

I know a fifth:if I see an arrowshot in maliceflying through a crowd,it flies no fasterthan I can stop it,once my eyes are on it.

Þat kann ek it sétta:ef mik særir þegná vrótum hrás viðarok þann haler mik heifta kveðrþann eta mein heldr en mik.

I know a sixth:if a man harms mewith the roots of green wood,and calls down hatred on me —the harm eats him instead,not me.

Þat kann ek it sjaunda:ef ek sé hávan logasal of sessmögumbrennr-at svá breittat ek hánum bjargig-a-k;þann kann ek galdr at gala.

I know a seventh:if I see a hallburning higharound my companions,it won't burn so widethat I can't save it —I know the charm to sing.

Þat kann ek it áttaer öllum ernytsamligt at nema:hvars hatr vexmeð hildings sonumþat má ek bæta brátt.

I know an eighth,useful for everyone to learn:wherever hatred growsbetween men,I can settle it fast.

Þat kann ek it níunda:ef mik nauðr of stendrat bjarga fari mínu á flotivind ek kyrrivági áok svæfik allan sæ.

I know a ninth:if I urgently needto save my ship at sea,I calm the windover the wavesand put the whole ocean to sleep.

Þat kann ek it tíunda:ef ek sé túnriðurleika lofti áek svá vinnkat þær villar farasinna heimhamasinna heimhuga.

I know a tenth:if I see witchesflying through the air,I work it sothey lose their way home —out of their own shapes,out of their own minds.

Þat kann ek it ellifta:ef ek skal til orrostuleiða langviniund randir ek gelen þeir með ríki faraheilir hildar tilheilir hildi frákoma þeir heilir hvaðan.

I know an eleventh:if I must leadold friends into battle,I chant beneath the shieldsand they go out with strength —whole to the fight,whole from the fight,and whole they come home again.

Þat kann ek it tolfta:ef ek sé á tré uppiváfa virgilnásvá ek rístok í rúnum fákat sá gengr gumiok mælir við mik.

I know a twelfth:if I see, high in a tree,a hanged man swinging,I carve and color runesso that he climbs downand speaks with me.

Þat kann ek it þrettánda:ef ek skal þegn unganverpa vatni ámun-at hann fallaþótt hann í folk komihnígr-a sá halr fyr hjörum.

I know a thirteenth:if I sprinkle wateron a young man,he will not falleven in battle —that man won't go downunder swords.

Þat kann ek it fjögurtánda:ef ek skal fyrða liðitelja tíva fyrirása ok alfaek kann allra skil;fár kann ósnotr svá.

I know a fourteenth:if I must name the godsbefore a gathering of men,I know them all —the Aesir and the elves;few fools know that much.

Þat kann ek it fimmtándaer gól Þjóðrerirdvergr fyr Dellings durum:afl gól hann ásumen alfum framahyggju Hroftatý.

I know a fifteenth,which Thjodrerir the dwarf chantedbefore Delling's doors:strength he sang for the gods,glory for the elves,and wisdom for Hroptatyr.

Þat kann ek it sextánda:ef ek vil ins svinna manshafa geð allt ok gamanhugi ek hverfihvítarmri konuok sný ek hennar öllum sefa.

I know a sixteenth:if I wanta clever girl's whole heart and joy,I turn the thoughtsof that white-armed woman,and change her mind completely.

Þat kann ek it sjautjándaat mik mun seint firraskit manunga man.Ljóða þessamun þú, Loddfáfnirlengi vanr vera;þó sé þér góð, ef þú getrnýt ef þú nemrþörf ef þú þiggr.

I know a seventeenth:a young womanwill be slow to leave me.You'll go a long time, Loddfafnir,without these songs;yet they'd do you goodif you got them,useful if you learned them,needed if you took them to heart.

Þat kann ek it átjándaer ek æva kennikmey né manns konu- allt er betraer einn of kann;þat fylgir ljóða lokum, -nema þeiri einnier mik armi verreða mín systir sé.VII.

I know an eighteenth,which I never teachto any young woman, or another man's wife— everything is betterwhen only one person knows it;that's how these songs end —except for the one alonewho holds me in her arms,or who is my sister.VII.

Nú eru Háva málkveðin Háva höllu íallþörf ýta sonumóþörf jötna sonum;heill sá, er kvaðheill sá, er kannnjóti sá, er namheilir, þeirs hlýddu.

Now the sayings of the High Onehave been spoken,in the High One's hall —vital for the sons of men,useless to the sons of giants.Hail to the one who spoke them,hail to the one who knows them,may the one who learned them profit,hail to all who listened.

Óðinn kvað:"Ráð þú mér nú, Friggalls mik fara tíðirat vitja Vafþrúðnis;forvitni miklakveð ek mér á fornum stöfumvið þann inn alsvinna jötun."Frigg kvað:

Odin said:"Counsel me now, Frigg —I mean to go and find Vafthrudnir.An old hunger to test myself is on me:I want to match witswith that all-knowing giant."

"Heima letjaek mynda Herjaföðrí görðum goða;því at engi jötunek hugða jafnrammansem Vafþrúðni vera."Óðinn kvað:

Frigg said:"I'd keep the Father of Hosts at home,here in the gods' own courts —no giant, I think,matches Vafthrudnir in might."

"Fjölð ek fórfjölð ek freistaðafjölð ek reynda regin;hitt vil ek vitahvé Vafþrúðnissalakynni sé."Frigg kvað:

Odin said:"Much I have traveledmuch I have triedmuch I have tested the gods:this I want to know —what kind of hall Vafthrudnir keeps."

"Heill þú farir!heill þú aftr komir!heill þú á sinnum sér!æði þér dugihvars þú skalt, Aldaföðrorðum mæla jötun.

Frigg said:"Safe may you go,safe may you come back,safe be your road between —let your wits serve you, Father of Ages,wherever you must trade words with the giant."

Fór þá Óðinnat freista orðspekiþess ins alsvinna jötuns;at höllu hann komok átti Íms faðir;inn gekk Yggr þegar.Óðinn kvað:

Then Odin wentto test the wisdomof that all-knowing giant;he came to Vafthrudnir's halland walked straight in.

"Heill þú nú, Vafþrúðnirnú em ek í höll kominná þik sjalfan sjá;hitt vil ek fyrst vitaef þú fróðr séreða alsviðr jötunn."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Hail, Vafthrudnir —now I've come into your hall to see you myself.First I want to know:are you truly learned,or just an all-wise giant?"

"Hvat er þat mannaer í mínum salverpumk orði á?Út þú né komirórum höllum fránema þú inn snotrari sér."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Who is this manthrowing words at mein my own hall?You'll not get out of these hallsunless you're the wiser."

"Gagnráðr ek heitinú emk af göngu kominnþyrstr til þinna sala;laðar þurfi -hef ek lengi farit -ok þinna andfanga, jötunn."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Gagnrad is my name.I've come off the road, thirsty,to your hall —I've traveled long, and I need welcome,and your hospitality, giant."

"Hví þú þá, Gagnráðrmælisk af golfi fyr?Far þú í sess í sal!Þá skal freistahvárr fleira vitigestr eða inn gamli þulr."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Why do you speak from the floor, Gagnrad?Come sit in the hall.Then we'll testwho knows more —the guest, or the old sage."

"Óauðigr maðrer til auðigs kemrmæli þarft eða þegi;ofrmælgi mikilhygg ek, at illa getihveim er við kaldrifjaðan kemr."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"A poor man who comes to a rich man's houseshould say what's useful, or say nothing.Too much talk, I think,goes badlyfor whoever meets a cold heart."

"Seg þú mér, Gagnráðralls þú á golfi villþíns of freista framahvé sá hestr heitirer hverjan dregrdag of dróttmögu."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Tell me, Gagnrad — since you want to prove yourself from the floor —what is that horse calledthat draws the day for mankind,every day?"

"Skinfaxi heitirer inn skíra dregrdag of dróttmögu;hesta beztrþykkir hann með Hreiðgotum;ey lýsir mön af mari."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Skinfaxi is his name —he draws the bright day for men.Among the Hreidgothshe's held the best of horses;his mane always shines."

"Seg þú þat, Gagnráðralls þú á golfi villþíns of freista framahvé sá jór heitirer austan dregrnótt of nýt regin."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Tell me, Gagnrad — since you want to prove yourself from the floor —what is that steed calledthat draws night out of the eastfor the good gods?"

"Hrímfaxi heitirer hverja dregrnótt of nýt regin;méldropa fellir hannmorgin hvern;þaðan kemr dögg um dala."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Hrimfaxi is his name —he draws the night, every night, for the good gods.Each morning he drops foam from his bit;that's where the dew in the valleys comes from."

Seg þú þat, Gagnráðralls þú á golfi villþíns of freista framahvé sú á heitirer deilir með jötna sonumgrund ok með goðum."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Tell me, Gagnrad — since you want to prove yourself from the floor —what is that river calledthat divides the giants' landfrom the gods'?"

"Ífing heitir áer deilir með jötna sonumgrund ok með goðum;opin rennahon skal of aldrdaga;verðr-at íss á á."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Ifing is the river's name —it divides the giants' land from the gods'.It runs open all our days;no ice ever forms on it."

Seg þú þat, Gagnráðralls þú á golfi villþíns of freista framahvé sá völlr heitirer finnask vígi atSurtr ok in svásu goð."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Tell me, Gagnrad — since you want to prove yourself from the floor —what is that field calledwhere Surt and the gentle godswill meet in battle?"

"Vígriðr heitir völlrer finnask vígi atSurtr ok in svásu goð;hundrað rastahann er á hverjan veg;sá er þeim völlr vitaðr."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Vigrid is the field's name —where Surt and the gentle gods will meet in battle.A hundred leagues it runs,every way;that field is set for them."

"Fróðr ertu nú, gestrfar þú á bekk jötunsok mælumk í sessi saman;höfði veðjavit skulum höllu ígestr, of geðspeki.Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"You're wise now, guest.Come to the giant's bench —let's sit and speak together.We'll wager our heads on it, guest,here in the hall: whose wit is sharper."

"Seg þú þat it einaef þitt æði dugirok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitirhvaðan jörð of komeða upphiminnfyrst, inn fróði jötunn."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Tell me the first, Vafthrudnir — if your wit avails, you'll know:where did the earth come from,or the sky above,first of all, wise giant?"

"Ór Ymis holdivar jörð of sköpuðen ór beinum björghiminn ór hausiins hrímkalda jötunsen ór sveita sær."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Out of Ymir's flesh the earth was made,and out of his bones, the mountains;the sky from the skullof that frost-cold giant,and out of his blood, the sea."

"Seg þú þat annatef þitt æði dugirok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitirhvaðan máni komsá er ferr menn yfireða sól it sama."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Tell me the second, Vafthrudnir — if your wit avails, you'll know:where did the moon come from,that crosses the sky over men,and the sun the same?"

"Mundilfari heitirhann er mána faðirok svá Sólar it sama;himin hverfaþau skulu hverjan dagöldum at ártali."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Mundilfari is his name —he fathered the moon,and the sun the same.They must cross the sky every day,to keep the years for men."

"Seg þú þat it þriðjaalls þik svinnan kveðaok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitirhvaðan dagr of komsá er ferr drótt yfireða nótt með niðum."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Tell me the third, Vafthrudnir — they call you wise, so you'll know:where did day come from,that crosses over men,or night with its waning moon?"

"Dellingr heitirhann er Dags faðiren Nótt var Nörvi borin;ný ok niðskópu nýt reginöldum at ártali."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Delling is his name —he fathered Day;and Night was born of Nor.The new moon and the old,the gods made,to keep the years for men."

"Seg þú þat it fjórðaalls þik fróðan kveðaok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitirhvaðan vetr of komeða varmt sumarfyrst með fróð regin."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Tell me the fourth, Vafthrudnir — they call you learned, so you'll know:where did winter come from,or the warm summer,first, among the wise powers?"

"Vindsvalr heitirhann er Vetrar faðiren Svásuðr sumars."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Vindsval is his name —he fathered Winter.And Svasud fathered summer."

"Seg þú þat it fimmtaalls þik fróðan kveðaok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitirhverr ása ellztreða Ymis niðjayrði í árdaga."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Tell me the fifth, Vafthrudnir — they call you learned, so you'll know:who was the oldest of the gods,or of Ymir's kin,in the earliest days?"

"Örófi vetraáðr væri jörð of sköpuðþá var Bergelmir borinnÞrúðgelmirvar þess faðiren Aurgelmir afi."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Countless winters before the earth was made,Bergelmir was born.Thrudgelmir was his father,and Aurgelmir his grandfather."

"Seg þú þat it séttaalls þik svinnan kveðaok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitirhvaðan Aurgelmir kommeð jötna sonumfyrst, inn fróði jötunn."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Tell me the sixth, Vafthrudnir — they call you wise, so you'll know:where did Aurgelmir come from,first, among the giants' sons,wise giant?"

"Ór Élivágumstukku eitrdroparsvá óx, unz varð jötunn;þar eru órar ættirkomnar allar saman;því er þat æ allt til atalt."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Out of the Elivagar, drops of venom sprang;they grew, until they became a giant.That's where all our kind comes from,every line together —and that's why we're fierce to this day."

"Seg þú þat it sjaundaalls þik svinnan kveðaok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitirhvé sá börn gatinn baldni jötunner hann hafði-t gýgjar gaman."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Tell me the seventh, Vafthrudnir — they call you wise, so you'll know:how did that bold giantfather children,with no giantess at all?"

"Undir hendi vaxakváðu hrímþursimey ok mög saman;fótr við fætigat ins fróða jötunssexhöfðaðan son."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Under the frost-giant's arm, they say,a girl and a boy grew together;and foot against foot,the wise giant fathereda six-headed son."

"Seg þú þat it áttaalls þik svinnan kveðaok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitirhvat þú fyrst of manteða fremst of veiztþú ert alsviðr, jötunn."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Tell me the eighth, Vafthrudnir — they call you wise, so you'll know:what's the first thing you remember,the farthest back you know —you're all-wise, giant."

Örófi vetraáðr væri jörð of sköpuðþá var Bergelmir borinn;þat ek fyrst of maner sá inn fróði jötunná var lúðr of lagiðr."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Countless winters before the earth was made,Bergelmir was born.This is what I first remember:when that wise giantwas laid in a boat."

"Seg þú þat it níundaalls þik svinnan kveðaok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitirhvaðan vindr of kemrsvá at ferr vág yfir;æ menn han sjalfan of sjá."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Tell me the ninth, Vafthrudnir — they call you wise, so you'll know:where does the wind come from,that moves across the water —no one ever sees it?"

"Hræsvelgr heitirer sitr á himins endajötunn í arnar ham;af hans vængjumkvæða vind komaalla menn yfir."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Hraesvelg is his name —he sits at heaven's edge,a giant wearing an eagle's shape.From his wings, they say,comes the wind that moves over every man."

"Seg þú þat it tíundaalls þú tíva rököll, Vafþrúðnir, vitirhvaðan Njörðr of kommeð ása sonum -hofum ok hörgumhann ræðr hundmörgum -ok varð-at hann ásum alinn."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Tell me the tenth, Vafthrudnir — since you know all the fates of the gods:where did Njord come from,among the sons of the gods —he rules over hundreds of temples and shrines —though he wasn't born among them?"

"Í Vanaheimiskópu hann vís reginok seldu at gíslingu goðumí aldar rökhann mun aftr komaheim með vísum vönum."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"In Vanaheim the wise powers made him,and gave him to the gods as a hostage.At the end of the worldhe'll come back home,to the wise Vanir."

"Seg þú þat et elliftahvar ýtar túnum íhöggvask hverjan dag;val þeir kjósaok ríða vígi frásitja meir of sáttir saman."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Tell me the eleventh:where do the warriors, every day,cut each other down in the yard,choose their slain,ride back from the fight,and sit down reconciled together?"

"Allir einherjarÓðins túnum íhöggvask hverjan dagval þeir kjósaok ríða vígi frásitja meirr of sáttir saman."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"All the einherjar, every day,cut each other down in Odin's yard;they choose their slain,ride back from the fight,and sit down reconciled together."

"Seg þú þat it tolftahví þú tíva rököll, Vafþrúðnir, vitirfrá jötna rúnumok allra goðasegir þú it sannastainn alsvinni jötunn."Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Tell me the twelfth, Vafthrudnir — since you know all the fates of the gods:of the giants' secrets,and all the gods',you speak the truest —all-knowing giant."

"Frá jötna rúnumok allra goðaek kann segja sattþví at hvern hef ekheim of komit;níu kom ek heimafyr Niflhel neðan;hinig deyja ór helju halir."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Of the giants' secrets, and all the gods',I can speak the truth —I've been to every world.Nine worlds I've crossed, down below Niflhel —the dead go no further than that."

"Fjölð ek fórfjölð ek freistaðakfjölð ek of reynda regin:Hvat lifir mannaþá er inn mæra líðrfimbulvetr með firum?"Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Much I have traveledmuch I have triedmuch I have tested the gods:who among mankind will live on,when the great fimbul-winterpasses over men?"

"Líf ok Lifþrasiren þau leynask munuí holti Hoddmímis;morgindöggvarþau sér at mat hafaen þaðan af aldir alask."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Lif and Lifthrasir.They'll hide themselvesin Hoddmimir's Wood.The morning dewwill be their food,and from them all mankind will be born again."

"Fjölð ek fórfjölð ek freistaðakfjölð ek of reynda regin:Hvaðan kemr sólá inn slétta himiner þessa hefr fenrir farit?"Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Much I have traveledmuch I have triedmuch I have tested the gods:where does the sun come from,back into the empty sky,once Fenrir has hunted this one down?"

"Eina dótturberr alfröðulláðr hana fenrir fari;sú skal ríðaþá er regin deyjamóður brautir, mær."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"One daughter the shining sun bears,before Fenrir takes her.She will ride her mother's pathswhen the gods have died —that maiden."

"Fjölð ek fórfjölð ek freistaðakfjölð ek of reynda regin:Hverjar ro þær meyjarer líða mar yfirfróðgeðjaðar fara?"Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Much I have traveledmuch I have triedmuch I have tested the gods:who are those maidenswho cross the sea,wise in their minds, traveling?"

"Þríar þjóðárfalla þorp yfirmeyja Mögþrasis;hamingjur einarþær er í heimi eruþó þær með jötnum alask."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Three great rivers runover the dwellings of Mogthrasir's maidens.They alone, of all in the world,are guardian spirits —though they were raised among giants."

"Fjölð ek fórfjölð ek freistaðakfjölð ek of reynda regin:Hverir ráða æsireignum goðaþá er sloknar Surta logi?"Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Much I have traveledmuch I have triedmuch I have tested the gods:which of the gods will ruletheir kingdom,once Surt's fire has burned out?"

"Víðarr ok Válibyggja vé goðaþá er sloknar Surta logiMóði ok Magniskulu Mjöllni hafaVingnis at vígþroti."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"Vidar and Valiwill live in the gods' shrines,once Surt's fire has burned out.Modi and Magniwill hold Mjollnir,once Thor's battles are done."

"Fjölð ek fórfjölð ek freistaðakfjölð ek of reynda regin;Hvat verðr Óðniat aldrlagiþá er of rjúfask regin?"Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Much I have traveledmuch I have triedmuch I have tested the gods:what will be Odin's death,when the powers are torn apart?"

"Ulfr gleypamun Aldaföðrþess mun Víðarr vreka;kalda kjaftahann klyfja munvitnis vígi at."Óðinn kvað:

Vafthrudnir said:"The wolf will swallowthe Father of Ages —Vidar will avenge that.He'll tear apartthe cold jaws,and kill the wolf for it."

"Fjölð ek fórfjölð ek freistaðakfjölð ek of reynda regin;Hvat mælti Óðinnáðr á bál stigisjalfr í eyra syni?"Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Odin said:"Much I have traveledmuch I have triedmuch I have tested the gods:what did Odin say,before he climbed the pyre,into his son's ear?"

"Ey manni þat veithvat þú í árdagasagðir í eyra syni;feigum munnimælta ek mína forna stafiok of ragnarök.Nú ek við Óðindeildak mína orðspeki;þú ert æ vísastr vera."

Vafthrudnir said:"No one knows what you said,in the early days,into your son's ear.With a doomed mouthI've spoken my old lore,and the fate of the gods.Now I've matched my wisdomagainst Odin himself —you are, forever, the wisest of all."

Frá sonum Hrauðungs konungs.Hrauðungr konungr átti tvá sonu. Hét annarr Agnarr, en annarr Geirröðr. Agnarr var tíu vetra, en Geirröðr átta vetra. Þeir reru tveir á báti með dorgar sínar at smáfiski. Vindr rak þá í haf út. Í náttmyrkri brutu þeir við land ok gengu upp, fundu kotbónda einn. Þar váru þeir um vetrinn. Kerling fóstraði Agnar, en karl fóstraði Geirröð ok kenndi honum ráð. At vári fekk karl þeim skip. En er þau kerling leiddu þá til strandar, þá mælti karl einmæli við Geirröð. Þeir fengu byr ok kómu til stöðva föður síns. Geirröðr var fram í skipi. Hann hljóp upp á land, en hratt út skipinu ok mælti: "Farðu nú, þar er smyl hafi þik." Skipit rak í haf út, en Geirröðr gekk upp til bæjar. Honum var þar vel fagnat, en faðir hans þá andaðr. Var þá Geirröðr til konungs tekinn ok varð maðr ágætr. Óðinn ok Frigg sátu í Hliðskjálfu ok sáu um heima alla. Óðinn mælti: "Sér þú Agnar, fóstra þinn, hvar hann elr börn við gýgi í hellinum, en Geirröðr, fóstri minn, er konungr ok sitr nú at landi?" Frigg segir: "Hann er matníðingr sá, at hann kvelr gesti sína, ef honum þykkja of margir koma." Óðinn segir, at þat er in mesta lygi. Þau veðja um þetta mál. Frigg sendi eskimey sína Fullu til Geirröðar. Hon bað konung varast, at eigi fyrirgerði honum fjölkunnigr maðr, sá er þar var kominn í land, ok sagði þat mark á, at engi hundr var svá ólmr, at á hann mundi hlaupa. En þat var inn mesti hégómi, at Geirröðr konungr væri eigi matgóðr, ok þó lætr hann handtaka þann mann, er eigi vildu hundar á ráða. Sá var í feldi blám ok nefndist Grímnir og sagði ekki fleira frá sér, þótt hann væri at spurðr. Konungr lét hann pína til sagna ok setja milli elda tveggja, ok sat hann þar átta nætr. Geirröðr konungr átti þá son tíu vetra gamlan, ok hét Agnarr eftir bróður hans. Agnarr gekk at Grímni ok gaf honum horn fullt at drekka ok sagði, at faðir hans gerði illa, er hann píndi þenna mann saklausan. Grímnir drakk af. Þá var eldrinn svá kominn, at feldrinn brann af Grímni. Hann kvað:Heitr ertu, hripuðrok heldr til mikill;göngumk firr, funi!loði sviðnarþótt ek á loft berak;brennumk feldr fyr.

Of King Hraudung's sons. King Hraudung had two sons: one named Agnar, the other Geirrod. Agnar was ten winters old, Geirrod eight. The two of them rowed out in a boat with their fishing lines, after small fish, and a wind drove them out to sea. In the dark of night they were wrecked on a shore and went ashore, where they found a poor farmer. They stayed there through the winter. The old woman fostered Agnar, and the old man fostered Geirrod and taught him counsel. In spring the old man gave them a boat, and as he and his wife led the boys down to the shore, he spoke privately with Geirrod. They got a fair wind and came to their father's landing-place. Geirrod stood in the bow. He leapt ashore, shoved the boat back out, and said, "Go now, where the trolls can have you." The boat drifted out to sea, and Geirrod went up to the farm. He was warmly welcomed there — his father had died by then — and Geirrod was made king, and became a distinguished man. Odin and Frigg sat in Hlidskjalf and looked out over all the worlds. Odin said, "Do you see Agnar, your foster-son, raising children with a giantess in a cave, while Geirrod, my foster-son, is a king now, sitting over his own land?" Frigg said, "He's so stingy with food that he tortures his guests, if he thinks too many are coming." Odin said that was the greatest lie, and they made a wager on it. Frigg sent her maid Fulla to Geirrod. She told the king to beware — a sorcerer had come into his land who might destroy him — and gave as the sign that no dog, however fierce, would attack the man. But it was the greatest falsehood that King Geirrod was stingy with food; even so, he had the man seized whom the dogs would not touch. He wore a dark blue cloak, called himself Grimnir, and would say nothing more of himself, however he was questioned. The king had him tortured for answers and set between two fires, and he sat there eight nights. King Geirrod then had a son, ten winters old, named Agnar after his brother. Agnar went to Grimnir, gave him a full horn to drink, and said his father did wrong to torture an innocent man. Grimnir drank it. By then the fire had come so close that the cloak was burning off him. He said:Hot you are, fire, and far too fierce;get back from me, flame!My cloak scorches,though I hold it high;the fur burns before me.

Átta nætr sat ekmilli elda hérsvá at mér manngimat né bauðnema einn Agnarrer einn skal ráðaGeirröðar sonrGotna landi.

Eight nights I have sat here between the fires,and no man brought me food —save Agnar alone,who alone shall rule,Geirrod's son,over the land of the Goths.

Heill skaltu, Agnarralls þik heilan biðrVeratýr vera;eins drykkjarþú skalt aldrigibetri gjöld geta.

Hail to you, Agnar —Veratyr himself wishes you well;for a single drinkyou will neverreceive a better reward.

Land er heilagter ek liggja séásum ok alfum nær;en í Þrúðheimiskal Þórr veraunz of rjúfask regin.

Holy is the land I see lyingclose to gods and elves;and in Thrudheim shall Thor dwell,until the powers are torn apart.

Ýdalir heitaþar er Ullr hefirsér of görva sali;Alfheim Freygáfu í árdagatívar at tannféi.

Ydalir is the name of the placewhere Ull has built himself halls;Alfheim the gods gave to Freyrin the early days, a tooth-gift.

Bær er sá inn þriðier blíð reginsilfri þökðu sali;Valaskjalf heitirer vélti séráss í árdaga.

There is a third home,that the kindly powersthatched with silver:Valaskjalf, it is called,that a god built for himselfin days of old.

Sökkvabekkr heitir inn fjórðien þar svalar kneguunnir yfir glymja;þar þau Óðinn ok Ságadrekka um alla dagaglöð ór gullnum kerum.

Sokkvabekk is the fourth,where cool wavesmurmur over it;there Odin and Sagadrink every day,glad, from cups of gold.

Glaðsheimr heitir inn fimmtiþars in gullbjartaValhöll víð of þrumir;en þar Hroftr kýsshverjan dagvápndauða vera.

Gladsheim is the fifth,where the gold-brightValhalla stands wide;and there Hropt chooses,every day,men slain by weapons.

Mjök er auðkenntþeim er til Óðins komasalkynni at séa;sköftum er rann reftskjöldum er salr þakiðrbrynjum um bekki strát.

Easy it is to know,for those who come to Odin,to see the nature of that hall:spear-shafts are its rafters,shields roof the hall,mail-coats strewn on the benches.

Mjök er auðkenntþeir er til Óðins komasalkynni at séa:vargr hangirfyr vestan dyrrok drúpir örn yfir.

Easy it is to know,for those who come to Odin,to see the nature of that hall:a wolf hangsbefore the western door,and an eagle droops above.

Þrymheimr heitir inn séttier Þjazi bjósá inn ámáttki jötunn;en nú Skaði byggvirskír brúðr goðafornar tóftir föður.

Thrymheim is the sixth,where Thjazi dwelt,that giant of terrible might;but now Skadi lives there,bright bride of the gods,on her father's old ground.

Breiðablik eru in sjaunduen þar Baldr hefirsér of gerva saliá því landier ek liggja veitfæsta feiknstafi.

Breidablik is the seventh,and there Baldr hasbuilt himself halls,on that land where I knowlies the fewestseeds of harm.

Himinbjörg eru in áttuen þar Heimdallkveða valda véum;þar vörðr goðadrekkr í væru ranniglaðr inn góða mjöð.

Himinbjorg is the eighth,and there, they say,Heimdall rules the shrines;there the gods' watchman drinks,glad, in his snug hall,the good mead.

Fólkvangr er inn níundien þar Freyja ræðrsessa kostum í sal;halfan valhon kýss hverjan dagen halfan Óðinn á.

Folkvang is the ninth,and there Freyja decideswho takes which seat in the hall;half the slainshe chooses every day,and half belong to Odin.

Glitnir er inn tíundihann er gulli studdrok silfri þakðr it sama;en þar Forsetibyggir flestan dagok svæfir allar sakir.

Glitnir is the tenth,held up with gold,and roofed with silver too;and there Forsetidwells most days,and lays every dispute to rest.

Nóatún eru in elliftuen þar Njörðr hefirsér of görva sali;manna þengillinn meins vanihátimbruðum hörgi ræðr.

Noatun is the eleventh,and there Njord hasbuilt himself halls;that prince of men,free of all fault,rules his high-timbered temple.

Hrísi vexok háu grasiVíðars land viði;en þar mögr of læztaf mars bakifrækn at hefna föður.

Thick with brushand tall grass growsVidar's wooded land;and there the sonleaps down from his horse's back,bold to avenge his father.

Andhrímnirlætr í EldhrímniSæhrímni soðinnfleska bezt;en þat fáir vituvið hvat einherjar alask.

Andhrimnircooks Saehrimnirin Eldhrimnir,the best of meat;but few knowwhat feeds the warriors of the slain.

Gera ok Frekaseðr gunntamiðrhróðigr Herjaföður;en við vín eittvápngöfugrÓðinn æ lifir.

Geri and Frekithe battle-tried Father of Hostsfeeds, glory-famed;but on wine alone,weapon-splendid,Odin lives, forever.

Huginn ok Muninnfljúga hverjan dagJörmungrund yfir;óumk ek of Huginat hann aftr né komi-tþó sjámk meir of Munin.

Hugin and Muninfly every dayover the wide world;I fear for Huginthat he might not come back,but I fear more for Munin.

Þýtr Þundunir Þjóðvitnisfiskr flóði í;árstraumr þykkirofmikillValglaumni at vaða.

Thund roars;Thjodvitnir's fishplays in the flood;the river's current seemstoo greatfor the slain host to wade.

Valgrind heitirer stendr velli áheilög fyr helgum dyrum;forn er sú grinden þat fáir vituhvé hon er í lás of lokin.

Valgrind is the nameof the gate that stands on the plain,holy before holy doors;old is that gate,but few knowhow it is shut in its lock.

Fimm hundruð duraok umb fjórum tögumsvá hygg ek á Valhöllu vera;átta hundruð Einherjaganga senn ór einum durumþá er þeir fara við vitni at vega.

Five hundred doorsand forty more,I believe, are in Valhalla;eight hundred warriorsgo out through one door at oncewhen they march to fight the wolf.

Fimm hundruð golfaok umb fjórum tögumsvá hygg ek Bilskirrni með bugum;ranna þeiraer ek reft vitamíns veit ek mest magar.

Five hundred floorsand forty more,I believe, Bilskirnir holds within its walls;of all the hallswhose roofs I have known,my son's I know is the greatest.

Heiðrún heitir geiter stendr höllu áok bítr af Læraðs limum;skapker fyllahon skal ins skíra mjaðar;kná-at sú veig vanask.

Heidrun is the name of the goatthat stands on the halland bites the branches of Laerad;she fills a vatwith the clear mead;that drink can never run dry.

Eikþyrnir heitir hjörtrer stendr höllu áok bítr af Læraðs limum;en af hans hornumdrýpr í Hvergelmiþaðan eigu vötn öll vega.

Eikthyrnir is the name of the hartthat stands on the halland bites the branches of Laerad;and from his hornsdrips into Hvergelmir,and from there every river finds its course.

Síð ok VíðSækin ok EikinSvöl ok GunnþróFjörm ok FimbulþulRín ok RennandiGipul ok GöpulGömul ok Geirvimulþær hverfa um hodd goðaÞyn ok VínÞöll ok HöllGráð ok Gunnþorin.

Sid and Vid,Saekin and Eikin,Sval and Gunnthro,Fjorm and Fimbulthul,Rin and Rennandi,Gipul and Gopul,Gomul and Geirvimul —they wind around the gods' hoard —Thyn and Vin,Tholl and Holl,Grad and Gunnthorin.

Vína heitir einönnur Vegsvinnþriðja ÞjóðnumaNyt ok NötNönn ok HrönnSlíð ok HríðSylgr ok YlgrVíð ok VánVönd ok StröndGjöll ok Leiftrþær falla gumnum nærer falla til Heljar heðan.

Vina is one,Vegsvinn another,Thjodnuma a third,Nyt and Not,Nonn and Hronn,Slid and Hrid,Sylg and Ylg,Vid and Van,Vond and Strond,Gjoll and Leift —they run close to men,and from here fall down to Hel.

Körmt ok Örmtok Kerlaugar tværþær skal Þórr vaðadag hverner hann dæma ferrat aski Yggdrasilsþví at ásbrúbrenn öll logaheilög vötn hlóa.

Kormt and Ormtand the two Kerlaugar —these Thor must wadeevery day,when he goes to give judgmentat the ash Yggdrasil;for the bridge of the godsburns all in flame,the holy waters blaze.

Glaðr ok GyllirGlær ok SkeiðbrimirSilfrintoppr ok SinirGísl ok FalhófnirGulltoppr ok Léttfetiþeim ríða æsir jómdag hverner þeir dæma faraat aski Yggdrasils.

Glad and Gyllir,Glaer and Skeidbrimir,Silfrintopp and Sinir,Gisl and Falhofnir,Gulltopp and Lettfeti —on these the gods rideevery day,when they go to give judgmentat the ash Yggdrasil.

Þríar rætrstanda á þría vegaundan aski Yggdrasils;Hel býr und einniannarri hrímþursarþriðju mennskir menn.

Three rootsstand in three directionsbeneath the ash Yggdrasil:Hel lives under one,under the second the frost-giants,under the third, mortal men.

Ratatoskr heitir íkornier renna skalat aski Yggdrasilsarnar orðhann skal ofan beraok segja Niðhöggvi niðr.

Ratatosk is the name of the squirrelwho must runon the ash Yggdrasil;he carries the eagle's wordsdown from above,and tells them to Nidhogg below.

Hirtir eru ok fjórirþeirs af hæfingargaghalsir gnaga:Dáinn ok DvalinnDuneyrr ok Duraþrór.

There are also four hartsthat crane their necks backand gnaw the highest twigs:Dain and Dvalin,Duneyr and Durathror.

Ormar fleiri liggjaund aski Yggdrasilsen þat of hyggi hverr ósviðra apa:Góinn ok Móinnþeir ro Grafvitnis synirGrábakr ok GrafvölluðrÓfnir ok Sváfnirhygg ek, at æ skylimeiðs kvistu má.

More serpents liebeneath the ash Yggdrasilthan any fool would ever guess:Goin and Moin,who are Grafvitnir's sons,Grabak and Grafvollud,Ofnir and Svafnir —these, I think, will alwaysgnaw the branches of the tree.

Askr Yggdrasilsdrýgir erfiðimeira en menn um viti:hjörtr bítr ofanen á hliðu fúnarskerðir Niðhöggr neðan.

The ash Yggdrasilbears more hardshipthan men know:a hart bites it from above,its side is rotting,and Nidhogg tears at it from below.

Hrist ok Mistvil ek, at mér horn beriSkeggjöld ok SkögulHildr ok ÞrúðrHlökk ok HerfjöturGöll ok GeirönulRandgríðr ok Ráðgríðrok Reginleifþær bera Einherjum öl.

Hrist and MistI want to bring me the horn —Skeggjold and Skogul,Hild and Thrud,Hlokk and Herfjotur,Goll and Geironul,Randgrid and Radgrid,and Reginleif —these carry ale to the warriors of the slain.

Árvakr ok Alsviðrþeir skulu upp heðansvangir sól draga;en und þeira bógumfálu blíð reginæsir, ísarnkol.

Arvak and Alsvidmust drag the sun,worn thin, up from here;and under their shouldersthe kindly powers, the gods,hid cooling iron.

Svalinn heitirhann stendr sólu fyrirskjöldr, skínanda goði;björg ok brimek veit, at brenna skuluef hann fellr í frá.

Svalin is its name —it stands before the sun,a shield, before the shining god;mountain and sea,I know, would burnif it ever fell away.

Sköll heitir ulfrer fylgir inu skírleita goðitil varna viðaren annarr Hatihann er Hróðvitnis sonrsá skal fyr heiða brúði himins.

Skoll is the name of the wolfthat follows the bright godto the warding wood;and another, Hati,son of Hrodvitnir,runs ahead of heaven's shining bride.

Ór Ymis holdivar jörð of sköpuðen ór sveita særbjörg ór beinumbaðmr ór hárien ór hausi himinn.

Out of Ymir's fleshthe earth was made,and out of his blood, the sea;mountains from his bones,trees from his hair,and from his skull, the sky.

En ór hans brámgerðu blíð reginMiðgarð manna sonumen ór hans heilaváru þau in harðmóðguský öll of sköpuð.

And from his eyelashesthe kindly powers madeMidgard for the sons of men;and from his brainthe hard-heartedclouds were all shaped.

Ullar hyllihefr ok allra goðahverr er tekr fyrstr á funaþví at opnir heimarverða of ása sonumþá er hefja af hvera.

Ull's favor, and the favorof every god, belongsto whoever first reaches into the flames;for the worlds opento the sons of the godswhen the kettles are lifted off.

Ívalda synirgengu í árdagaSkíðblaðni at skapaskipa beztskírum Freynýtum Njarðar bur.

Ivaldi's sons went,in the early days,to build Skidbladnir,the best of ships,for bright Freyr,Njord's able son.

Askr Yggdrasilshann er æðstr viðaen Skíðblaðnir skipaÓðinn ásaen jóa SleipnirBilröst brúaen Bragi skaldaHábrók haukaen hunda Garmr.

The ash Yggdrasilis the noblest of trees,and Skidbladnir of ships,Odin of gods,and of horses, Sleipnir,Bilrost of bridges,and Bragi of poets,Habrok of hawks,and of hounds, Garm.

Svipum hef ek nú ypptfyr sigtíva sonumvið þat skal vilbjörg vaka;öllum ásumþat skal inn komaÆgis bekki áÆgis drekku at.

I have raised my faces nowbefore the sons of the war-gods;by this, longed-for help shall wake.To every godthe word shall come,to Aegir's benches,to Aegir's feast.

Hétumk Grímrhétumk GangleriHerjann ok HjalmberiÞekkr ok ÞriðiÞundr ok UðrHerblindi ok Hár.

They called me Grim,they called me Gangleri,Herjan and Hjalmberi,Thekk and Thridi,Thund and Udr,Herblindi and Har.

Saðr ok Svipallok SanngetallHerteitr ok HnikarrBileygr, BáleygrBölverkr, FjölnirGrímr ok GrímnirGlapsviðr ok Fjölsviðr;

Sadr and Svipaland Sanngetal,Herteit and Hnikar,Bileyg, Baleyg,Bolverk, Fjolnir,Grim and Grimnir,Glapsvid and Fjolsvid.

Síðhöttr, SíðskeggrSigföðr, HnikuðrAlföðr, ValföðrAtríðr ok Farmatýr;einu nafnihétumk aldregisíz ek með folkum fór.

Sidhott, Sidskegg,Sigfodr, Hnikud,Alfodr, Valfodr,Atrid and Farmatyr;never by one name alonehave I been called,since I first walked among men.

Grímni mik hétuat Geirröðaren Jalk at Ásmundaren þá Kjalarer ek kjálka dróÞrór þingum atViðurr at vígumÓski ok ÓmiJafnhár ok BiflindiGöndlir ok Hárbarðr með goðum.

Grimnir they called meat Geirrod's,and Jalk at Asmund's;and then Kjalarwhen I dragged the sledge,Thror at assemblies,Vidur in battle,Oski and Omi,Jafnhar and Biflindi,Gondlir and Harbard among gods.

Sviðurr ok Sviðrirer ek hét at Sökkmímisok dulðak þann inn aldna jötunþá er ek Miðvitnis varkins mæra burarorðinn einbani.

Svidur and SvidrirI was called at Sokkmimir's,and I deceived that old giant,when I becamethe sole slayerof Midvitnir's famous son.

Ölr ertu, Geirröðrhefr þú ofdrukkit;miklu ertu hnugginner þú ert mínu gengiöllum Einherjumok Óðins hylli.

Drunk you are, Geirrod —you have drunk too much;much have you lost,now that you have forfeitedall my warriors,and Odin's favor.

Fjölð ek þér sagðaken þú fátt of mant;of þik véla vinir;mæki liggjaek sé míns vinarallan í dreyra drifinn.

Much I told you,and little you remember;friends have betrayed you;I see my friend's swordlying there,all soaked in blood.

Eggmóðan valnú mun Yggr hafaþitt veit ek líf of liðit;úfar ro dísirnú knáttu Óðin sjánálgasktu mik, ef þú megir.

The sword-worn deadYgg will have now —your life, I know, is over;the goddesses are hostile —now you may look on Odin;come near me, if you can.

Óðinn ek nú heitiYggr ek áðan héthétumk Þundr fyr þatVakr ok SkilfingrVáfuðr ok HroftatýrGautr ok Jalkr með goðumÓfnir ok Sváfnirer ek hygg, at orðnir séallir af einum mér.Geirröðr konungr sat ok hafði sverð um kné sér ok brugðit til miðs. En er hann heyrði, at Óðinn var þar kominn, þá stóð hann upp ok vildi taka Óðin frá eldinum. Sverðit slapp ór hendi honum, ok vissu hjöltin niðr. Konungr drap fæti ok steypðist áfram, en sverðit stóð í gögnum hann, ok fekk hann bana. Óðinn hvarf þá, en Agnarr var þar konungr lengi síðan.

Odin is my name now;Ygg was my name before that;before that they called me Thund,Vak and Skilfing,Vafud and Hroftatyr,Gaut and Jalk among gods,Ofnir and Svafnir —and I believeall of these are only me.King Geirrod sat with his sword across his knee, drawn halfway. But when he heard that Odin had come, he stood up, meaning to pull Odin back from the fire. The sword slipped from his hand, hilt down. The king stumbled, pitched forward, and the sword went through him, and he was killed. Odin vanished then, and Agnar was king there for a long time after.

Freyr, sonr Njarðar, hafði einn dag setzt í Hliðskjálf, ok sá um heima alla. Hann sá í Jötunheima ok sá þar mey fagra, þá er hon gekk frá skála föður síns til skemmu. Þar af fekk hann hugsóttir miklar. Skírnir hét skósveinn Freys. Njörðr bað hann kveðja Frey máls. Þá mælti Skaði:"Rístu nú, Skírnirok gakk skjótt at beiðaokkarn mála mögok þess at fregnahveim inn fróði séofreiði afi."Skírnir kvað:

One day Freyr, the son of Njord, had sat down in Hlidskjalf and looked out over all the worlds. He looked into Jotunheim and saw there a beautiful girl, as she walked from her father's hall to her bower. It filled him with a deep and painful longing. Skirnir was the name of Freyr's page. Njord asked him to speak with Freyr. Then Skadi said:Get up now, Skirnir,go quickly and askour son for an answer —find outwho has that wise oneso heavy with longing.

"Illra orðaer mér ón at ykkrum synief ek geng at mæla við mögok þess at fregnahveim inn fróði séofreiði afi."

Skirnir said:"I expect harsh wordsfrom your son,if I go and speak to himand askwho has him so heavy with longing.

"Segðu mér þat, Freyrfolkvaldi goðaok ek vilja vita:Hví þú einn sitrendlanga saliminn dróttinn, um daga?"Freyr kvað:

Tell me, Freyr,leader of the gods,I want to know:why do you sit alone,the whole hall's length,my lord, day after day?"

"Hví um segjak þérseggr inn ungimikinn móðtrega?Því at álfröðulllýsir um alla dagaok þeygi at mínum munum."Skírnir kvað:

Freyr said:"Why tell you,young man,how great my grief is?The sun lights up every dayand neverwhat I long for."

"Muni þínahykk-a ek svá mikla veraat þú mér, seggr, né segirþví at ungir samanvárum í árdagavel mættim tveir trúask."Freyr kvað:

Skirnir said:"I don't think your longingis too great to tell me.We grew up together —the two of uscan trust each other."

"Í Gymis görðumek ganga sámér tíða mey;armar lýstuen af þaðanallt loft ok lögr."

Freyr said:"In Gymir's yardI saw a girl walking,dear to me.Her arms shone,and the whole sky and sealit up from it.

"Mær er mér tíðarien manna hveimungum í árdaga;ása ok alfaþat vill engi maðrat vit samt séim."Skírnir kvað:

That girl is dearer to methan any young manever wanted another.But no one —not gods, not elves —will let the two of us be together."

"Mar gefðu mér þáþann er mik um myrkvan berivísan vafrlogaok þat sverðer sjalft vegiskvið jötna ætt."Freyr kvað:

Skirnir said:"Then give me the horsethat carries me through the dark,through the wall of fire,and the swordthat fights by itselfagainst the giants."

"Mar ek þér þann gefer þik um myrkvan berrvísan vafrlogaok þat sverðer sjalft mun vegaskef sá er horskr, er hefr."Skírnir mælti við hestinn:

Freyr said:"The horse is yours —it carries you through the dark,through the wall of fire —and the sword, too.It will fight on its own,if the man who holds it dares."

"Myrkt er útimál kveð ek okkr faraúrig fjöll yfirþursa þjóð yfir;báðir vit komumkeða okkr báða tekrsá inn ámáttki jötunn."Skírnir reið í Jötunheima til Gymisgarða. Þar váru hundar ólmir ok bundnir fyrir skíðgarðs hliði, þess er um sal Gerðar var. Hann reið at þar, er féhirðir sat á haugi, og kvaddi hann:

Skirnir said to the horse:"It's dark outside.Time we rodeover the wet fells,through giant country.We both get through,or that huge giant takes the two of us."Skirnir rode into Jotunheim, to Gymir's yard. Fierce dogs strained at their chains by the fence-gate around Gerd's hall. He rode up to where a herdsman sat on a mound, and greeted him:

"Segðu þat, hirðirer þú á haugi sitrok varðar alla vega:Hvé ek at andspillikomumk ins unga mansfyr greyjum Gymis?"Hirðir kvað:

"Tell me, herdsman,sitting on that mound,watching every road:how do I get pastGymir's dogsto speak with the young woman?"

"Hvárt ertu feigreða ertu framgenginn?-- -- --Andspillis vanrþú skalt æ veragóðrar meyjar Gymis."Skírnir kvað:

The herdsman said:"Are you doomed to die,or already a dead man walking?—You'll go without a wordfrom Gymir's good daughterfor the rest of your life."

"Kostir ro betriheldr en at klökkva séhveim er fúss er fara;einu dægrimér var aldr of skapaðrof allt líf of lagit."Gerðr kvað:

Skirnir said:"Better to choose boldlythan sit and cry,for someone bent on going.My whole life's lengthwas fixedon a single day, long ago."

"Hvat er þat hlym hlymjaer ek heyri nú tilossum rönnum í?Jörð bifasken allir fyrirskjalfa garðar Gymis."Ambátt kvað:

Gerd said:"What's that clatteringI hear nowinside our walls?The ground is shaking,and Gymir's whole yardtrembles before it."

"Maðr er hér útistiginn af mars bakijó lætr til jarðar taka."-- -- --Gerðr kvað:

The handmaid said:"There's a man outside —he's dismounted,letting his horse graze."—

"Inn bið þú hann gangaí okkarn salok drekka inn mæra mjöð;þó ek hitt óumkat hér úti séminn bróðurbani.

Gerd said:"Tell him to come in,into our hall,and drink the good mead —though I'm afraidmy brother's killeris standing out there.

Hvat er þat alfané ása sonané víssa vana?Hví þú einn of komteikinn fúr yfirór salkynni at séa?"Skírnir kvað:

What are you —one of the elves,a son of the gods,one of the wise Vanir?Why did you ride alonethrough the blazing firejust to see our home?"

"Emk-at ek alfané ása sonané víssa vana;þó ek einn of komkeikinn fúr yfiryður salkynni at séa."

Skirnir said:"I'm not an elf,not a son of the gods,not one of the Vanir —but I rode alonethrough the blazing fireto see your home.

"Epli ellifuhér hef ek algullinþau mun ek þér, Gerðr, gefafrið at kaupaat þú þér Frey kveðiróleiðastan lifa."Gerðr kvað:

Eleven apples,solid gold —I have them here.I'll give them to you, Gerd,to buy your peace:say Freyr is the manyou hate least in the world."

"Epli ellifuek þigg aldregiat mannskis munumné vit Freyrmeðan okkart fjör lifirbyggjum bæði saman."Skírnir kvað: