Page:Norse mythology or, the religion of our forefathers, containing all the myths of the Eddas, systematized and interpreted with an introduction, vocabulary and index.djvu/152

80. Thus 't is made manifest,
    If of runes thou questionest him,
    Those to the high ones known,
    Which the great powers invented,
    And the great talker^[1] painted,
    That he had best hold silence.

81. At eve the day is to be praised,
    A woman after she is burnt,^[2]
    A sword after it is proved,
    A maid after she is married,
    Ice after it has been crossed,
    Beer after it is drunk.

82. In the wind one should hew wood,
    In a breeze row out to sea,
    In the dark talk with a lass,
    Many are the eyes of day.
    In a ship voyages are to be made,
    But a shield is for protection,
    A sword for striking,
    But a damsel for a kiss.

83. By the fire one should drink beer,
    On the ice slide;
    Buy a horse that is lean,
    A sword that is rusty;
    Feed a horse at home,
    But a dog at the farm.

84. In a maiden's words
    No one should place faith,
    Nor in what a woman says;
    For on a turning wheel
    Have their hearts been formed,
    And guile in their breasts been laid.

85. In a creaking bow,
    A burning flame,
    A yawning wolf,
    A chattering crow,

1. Odin.
2. Dead.