

4U8 



THE CONDUCT OF LIFE THE HAVAMAL. 



Let no man be so trustful 



That he trust 



His brother's slayer, 



Though he meet him on the highway, 



A half-burnt house, 



A very swift horse, 



A horse is useless 



If a leg be broken. 



Thus is the love of women 

 Whose hearts are false 

 As riding on slippery ice, 

 With an unshod, 

 Wild, two year old, 

 Badly broken horse, 

 Or like cruising 

 Eudderless in a strong gale, 

 Or like the lame reindeer 

 On thawing mountain sides. 



Now I speak openly 

 Fur I know both ; 



Fickle is the mind of men to women ; 

 We speak most fail- 

 When we think most false ; 

 That beguiles wise minds. 



Finely must talk 



And offer gifts 



He who would win woman's love, 



Praise the shape 



Of the bright (fair) maiden ; 



He wins who woos. 



In matters of love 

 Should a man pever 

 Blame auotner ; 

 The bewitching hues l 

 That do not move the dull 

 Often move the wise. 



A man must not 



Blame another 



For what is many men's weakness ; 



For mighty love 



Changes the son of men 



From wise into fools. 



The mind alone knows 



What is near the heart ; 



It alone sees what is near the heart ; 



It alone sees what is in the breast ; 



No sickness is worse 



For a wise man 



Than to enjoy nothing. 



I tried that when 



I sat in the rushes 



And waited for my love ; 



The gentle maiden 



Was like my own flesh and heart ; 



Yet she was not mine. 



I found the sun-bright 

 Maiden of Billing 2 

 Asleep on her bed ; 

 The happiness of a jarl 

 I thought worth nothing, 

 Unless living with that maiden. 



And near evening (in the twilight) 



Must thou come, Odin, 



If thou wilt talk with a maiden ; 



It will fare badly 



Unless we alone know 



Of such unlawful love. 



1 went away ; 



It seemed to me I loved 



Out of my wise will : 3 



I thought 



I had won 



All her heart and love. 



When next I came 



All the doughty household 



Was awake ; 



With burning lights 



And carried torches 



That way of woe was marked for me. 



Near morning, 



When I came again, 



The household was asleep ; 



A dog I found 



Tied to the bed 



Of the food woman. 



1 Lostfagr = so fair as to kindle lust. 



2 Billing occurs in Voluspa as a name 



of dverg. 



3 This means as if I was mad with love. 



