Stanza 61

Original Old Norse:

Þveginn ok mettr

ríði maðr þingi at

þótt hann sét væddr til vel

skúa ok bróka

skammisk engi maðr

né hests in heldr

þótt hann hafit góðan

Auden & Taylor:

Washed and fed, 

one may fare to the Thing: 

Though one's clothes be the worse for Wear,

None need be ashamed of his shoes or hose,

Nor of the horse he owns, 

Although no thoroughbred.

Bellows:

Washed and fed | to the council fare,

But care not too much for thy clothes;

Let none be ashamed | of his shoes and hose,

Less still of the steed he rides,

(Though poor be the horse he has.)

The fifth line is probably a spurious addition.

Bray:

Fed and washed should one ride to court 

though in garments none too new; 

thou shalt not shame thee for shoes or breeks, 

nor yet for a sorry steed.

Chisholm:

Well fed and washed fare to the thing. A man should

ride to the thing though his clothes are well worn.

A man should not be ashamed of his shoes and breeks,

or even less of his horse, though they are not the best

Hollander:

Well-groomed and washed wend thee to the Thing,

though thy clothes be not the best;

of thy shoes and breeks be not ashamed,

and still less of they steed.

Terry:

Don't be hungry when you ride to the Thing,

be clean though your clothes be poor;

you will not be shamed by shoes and breeches,

nor by your horse, though he be no prize.

Thorpe:

Washed and refected 

let a man ride to the Thing,

although his garments be not too good;

of his shoes and breeches

let no one be ashamed,

nor of his horse, 

although he have not a good one.

The Thing was the assembly to settle differences, plead suits and socialise in all kids of ways; in Iceland, the annual national gathering, the Alþingi is still the name for their governing body, though they no longer meet out in the valley in tents (a few politicians have suggested that doing so would make the government work a little faster). Traditionally the law speaker recited at least a third of the laws that he had to keep memorised. Thus legal matters were decided there: as much as Icelanders pride themselves on having the longest existing democracy, the medieval version demonstrates that might (usually through having supporters, but sometimes through outright violence) made right. This verse counsels that one must make the best appearance possible. If your clothes were not the best at least make sure they are clean and mended, your shoes clean and your horse stepping out the best she can, even if she wasn't going to win any races - or in the case of male horses, any fights. Horse fights were a brutal but popular sport.

To bring this to modern day: when you go for a job interview, or to court, or even to meet the parents of your mate, present yourself nicely. Wash your hair. Comb your beard. Wear a suit (or at least clean clothes). Do not show up for any of these things in shorts and a muscle shirt. Have pride in yourself and your apperance.