sleep-thorn, and declared that thenceforth she should never have victory in battle, and should be given in marriage. But, said she, I said to him that I had bound myself by a vow not to espouse any man who could be made to fear. Sigurd answers, and implores her to teach him wisdom, as she had intelligence from all worlds:
SIGDRIFA:
5. Beer I bear to thee,
Column of battle!
With might mingled,
And with bright glory:
'Tis full of song,
And salutary saws,
Of potent incantations,
And joyous discourses.
6. Sig-runes thou must know,
If victory (sigr) thou wilt have,
And on thy sword's hilt rist them;
Some on the chapes,
Some on the guard,
And twice name the name of Tyr.
7. Öl-(ale-)runes thou must know,
If thou wilt not that another's wife
Thy trust betray, if thou
In her confide.
On the horn must they be risted,
And on the hand's back,
And Naud[1] on the nail be scored.
8. A cup must be blessed,
And against peril guarded,
And garlick in the liquor cast;
Then I know
Thou wilt never have
Mead with treachery mingled.
- ↑ The name of a rune; our N.
