Stanza 98

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Auk nær apni skaltu Óðinn koma ef þú vilt þér mæla man alt eru ósköp nema einir viti slíkan löst saman	"Come" Odhinn, after nightfall If you wish for a meeting with me: All would be lost if anyone saw us And learned that we were lovers."	"Othin, again | at evening come, If a woman thou wouldst win; Evil it were | if others than we Should know of such a sin."	96. "Yet nearer evening come thou, Odin, if thou wilt woo a maiden: all were undone save two knew alone such a secret deed of shame."
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
“Come back near evening Odin, if you would speak with me. It would be entirely unfitting unless only the two of us know of this deed.”	"At eventide shalt, Othin, come if thou wilt win me to wife: unmeet it were if more than we two know of this naughty thing"	"You must wait, Odin; when it grows dark, come back if you want to woo me. It would be unlucky if other eyes witnessed my weakness."	“Yet nearer eve must thou, Odin, come, if thou wilt talk the maiden over; all will be disastrous, unless we alone are privy to such misdeed.”
Bellow's Note: 96. Here begins the passage (stanzas 96-102) illustrating the falseness of woman by the story of Othin's unsuccessful love affair with Billing's daughter. Of this person we know nothing beyond what is here told, but the story needs little comment.

Stanza 97

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Billings mey ek fann beðjum á sólhvíta sofa jarls ynði þótti mér ekki vera nema við þat lík at lifa	I saw on a bed Billing's daughter, Sun white, asleep: No greater delight I longed for then Than to lie in her lovely arms.	Billing's daughter | I found on her bed, In slumber bright as the sun; Empty appeared | an earl's estate Without that form so fair.	95. Billing's daughter I found on her bed, fairer than sunlight sleeping, and the sweets of lordship seemed to me nought, save I lived with that lovely form.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
Billing’s daughter I found on her bed. The sun-white maid slept and a Jarldom seemed nothing to me if I lived without her love.	Billing's daughter on her bed I found sleeping, the sun-bright maid; a king's crown I craved not to wear, if she let me have her love.	I saw Billing's daughter in her bed, a sun-bright maiden sleeping; then all the earth seemed empty of delight unless I could lie beside her.	Billing’s lass on her couch I found, sun-bright, sleeping. A prince’s joy to me seemed naught, if not with that form to live.
Bellow's Note: 96. Here begins the passage (stanzas 96-102) illustrating the falseness of woman by the story of Othin's unsuccessful love affair with Billing's daughter. Of this person we know nothing beyond what is here told, but the story needs little comment.

Stanza 96

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Þat ek þá reynda er ek í reyri sat ok vættak míns munar hold ok hjarta var mér in horska mær þeygi ek hana at heldr hefik	So I learned when I sat in the reeds, Hoping to have my desire: Lovely was the flesh of that fair girl, But nothing I hoped for happened.	This found I myself, | when I sat in the reeds, And long my love awaited; As my life the maiden | wise I loved, Yet her I never had.	94. This once I felt when I sat without in the reeds, and looked for my love; body and soul of me was that sweet maiden yet never I won her as wife.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
I found that out, when I sat in the reeds and waited for my heart’s delight. The heart and body of the wise maid were dear to me, but I had not my will with her.	That saw I well when i sat in the reeds, awaiting the maid I wooed; more than body and soul was the sweet maid to me, yet I worked not my will with her.	I realized as I sat among the reeds waiting for that fair woman, that I loved her beyond soul and body, yet I had not my desire.	That I experienced, when in the reeds I sat, awaiting my delight. Body and soul to me was that discreet maiden: nevertheless I posses her not.
Bellow's Note: 96. Here begins the passage (stanzas 96-102) illustrating the falseness of woman by the story of Othin's unsuccessful love affair with Billing's daughter. Of this person we know nothing beyond what is here told, but the story needs little comment.

Stanza 95

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Hugr einn þat veit er býr hjarta nær einn er hann sér um sefa øng er sótt verri hveim snotrum manni en sér øngu at una	The mind alone knows what is near the heart, Each is his own judge: The worst sickness for a wise man Is to crave what he cannot enjoy.	The head alone knows | what dwells near the heart, A man knows his mind alone; No sickness is worse | to one who is wise Than to lack the longed-for joy.	Billing's daughter I found on her bed, fairer than sunlight sleeping, and the sweets of lordship seemed to me nought, save I lived with that lovely form.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
Only your own mind knows what is dearest to your heart. Each counsels himself. There is no worse illness for a sage than losing love for himself.	One's self only knows what is near one's heart, each reads but himself aright; no sickness seems to sound mind worse than to have lost all liking for life.	Only you can know what lives near your heart, see clearly into yourself; for the wise man, no sickness is worse than nothing left to love.	The mind only knows what lies near the heart, that alone is conscious of our affections. No disease is worse to a sensible man than not to be content with himself.d
In a section about love, there are a couple of stanzas that get very philosophical and general. Along with 94, this one is more general than just love or lust. The mind knows what's near the heart. I take it that's inside one person. So you'll never know what's dear to another. Thinking bad thoughts about yourself is a terrible cancer. In the news we read about "poor self esteem". That's is what the second half of this stanza is about but the self esteem trend takes that too far.

Stanza 94

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Eyvitar firna er maðr annan skal þess er um margan gengr guma heimska ór horskum gørir hölða sonu sá inn mátki munr	Never reproach the plight of another, For it happens to many men: Strong desire may stupefy heroes, Dull the wits of the wise	Fault with another | let no man find For what touches many a man; Wise men oft | into witless fools Are made by mighty love.	This once I felt when I sat without in the reeds, and looked for my love; body and soul of me was that sweet maiden yet never I won her as wife.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
A man should not heap abuse on another for something that happens to many men. Powerful love makes fools of heroes and sages.	'Tis not meet for men to mock at what befalls full many; a fair face oft makes fools of the wise by the mighty lure of love.	Let no man ever mock another for what so many suffer: out of wise men fools are made by the lures of love.	Let no one wonder at another’s folly, it is the lot of many. All-powerful desire makes of the sons of men fools even of the wise.
Today's stanza continues yesterday's theme. Don't mock those who are in love.They have their reasons, whether you understand them or not. Be happy they have found happiness.

Stanza 93

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Ástar firna skyli engi maðr annan aldregi opt fá á horskan er á heimskan ne fá lostfagrir litir	Never reproach another for his love: It happens often enough That beauty ensnares with desire the wise While the foolish remain unmoved.	Fault for loving | let no man find Ever with any other; Oft the wise are fettered, | where fools go free, By beauty that breeds desire.	The mind knows alone what is nearest the heart and sees where the soul is turned: no sickness seems to the wise so sore as in nought to know content.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
No man should ever ridicule another’s love. The lure of a beautiful woman often snares the wise while leaving the fool.	At the loves of a man to laugh is not meet for anyone ever; the wise oft fall, when fools yield not, to the lure of a lovely maid.	Let no man ever mock another, laughing at his love; the stupid may be safe where the wise give way to a fair folly.	At love should no one ever wonder in another: a beauteous countenance oft captivates the wise, which captivates not the foolish.
We have all seen those special couples, where the woman is just plain gorgeous, but the man.. not so much. “How did she end up with HIM?” I've said it myself at times. This stanza warns us not to mock them, though.. we don't know what lays beneath the skin of either of them.

Stanza 92

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Fagrt skal mæla ok fé bjóða sá er vill fljóðs ást fá líki leyfa ins ljósa mans sá fær er fríar	Gallantly shall he speak and gifts bring Who wishes for woman's love: praise the features of the fair girl, Who courts well will conquer.	Soft words shall he speak | and wealth shall he offer Who longs for a maiden's love, And the beauty praise | of the maiden bright; He wins whose wooing is best.	Never a whit should one blame another for a folly which many befalls; the might of love makes sons of men into fools who once were wise.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
He shall speak fairly and deal wealth who will win a woman’s love. Praise the looks of the bonny lass. Win by wooing.	Fairly shall speak, nor spare his gifts, who will win a woman's love, shall praise the looks of htelovely maid: he who flatters shall win the fiar.	Let no man ever mock another, laughing at his love; the stupid may be safe where the wise give way to a fair folly.	Fair shall speak, and money offer, who would obtain a woman’s love. Praise the form of a fair damsel; he gets who courts her.
Treat girls with respect. Plain and simple. The art of courtship has been lost, it seems.. which saddens me.

Stanza 91

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Bert ek nú mæli því at ek bæði veit brigðr er karla hugr konum þá vér fegrst mælum er vér flást hyggjum þat tælir horska hugi	Naked I may speak now for I know both: Men are treacherous too Fairest we speak when falsest we think: many a maid is deceived.	Clear now will I speak, | for I know them both, Men false to women are found; When fairest we speak, | then falsest we think, Against wisdom we work with deceit.	(89) Now plainly I speak, since both I have seen; unfaithful is man to maid; we speak them fairest when thoughts are falsest and wile the wisest of hearts.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
I say this openly, for I know both. A man’s heart is false with women. Our hearts are most false when our words roost fair, which deceive the hearts of the wise.	Heed my words now, for i know them both: mainsworn are men to women; we speak most fair when most foul our thoughts, for that wiles the wariest wits.	Believe what I say -- I know them both -- men don't keep faith with women; we speak fair words when we think most falsely to bewilder the wits of the wise.	Openly I now speak, because I both sexes know: unstable are men’s minds towards women; ‘tis then we speak most fair when we most falsely think: that deceives even the cautious.
See, ladies? The last handful of stanzas has spoken of the ladies, and how they are not to be trusted.. in this stanza, the author declares that men are just as bad at times. Men are the bravest, strongest, wisest, richest, dashing, daring.. when they first meet a woman. It's not until after the heart is won that the truth comes out.

Stanza 90

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Svá er friðr kvenna þeira er flátt hyggja sem aki jó óbryddum á ísi hálum teitum tvévetrum ok sé tamr illa eða í byr óðum beiti stjórnlausu eða skyli haltr henda hrein í þáfjalli	To love a woman whose ways are false Is like sledding over slippery ice With unshod horses out of control, Badly trained two-year-olds, Or drifting rudderless on a rough sea, Or catching a reindeer with a crippled hand On a thawing hillside: think not to do it.	The love of women | fickle of will Is like starting o'er ice | with a steed unshod, A two-year-old restive | and little tamed, Or steering a rudderless | ship in a storm, Or, lame, hunting reindeer | on slippery rocks.	-- Let him speak soft words and offer wealth who longs for a woman's love, praise the shape of the shining maid -- he wins who thus doth woo.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
Such is the love of a woman whose heart is false. Like riding unshod horses over slippery ice, or poorly trained two year olds, or drifting rudderless on heavy seas, or like a halt reindeer on a slippery fell.	The false love of a woman, 'tis like to one riding on ice with horse unroughshod-- a brisk two-year-old, unbroken withal-- or in raging wind drifting rudderless, like the lame outrinning the reindeer on bare rock.	Thus you'll find the love of a faithless woman : like a smooth-shod horse on slippery ice -- a sprightly two-year-old not yet trained, or sailing with no rudder in a frantic storm or a lame man on an icy hill running after reindeer.	Such is the love of women, who falsehood meditate, as if one drove not rough-shod, on slippery ice, a spirited tw0-years old and unbroken horse; or as in a raging storm a helmless ship is beaten; or as if the halt were set to catch a reindeer in the thawing fell.
I believe it is important here to keep in mind that the author is not speaking of ALL women, simply the “false” ones. We all know those girls.. they claim to love you, but simply are using you as a means to an end. And yes, they exist as men, too. Men can be duplicitous as well at time. Be watchful, be vigilant, guard your heart.

Stanza 89

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Bróðurbana sínum þótt á brautu mœti húsi hálfbrunnu hesti alskjótum þá er jór ónýtr ef einn fótr brotnar verðit maðr svá tryggr at þessu trúi öllu	Trust not an acre early sown, Nor praise a son too soon: Weather rules the acre, wit the son, Both are exposed to peril,	Hope not too surely | for early harvest, Nor trust too soon in thy son; The field needs good weather, | the son needs wisdom, And oft is either denied.	Now plainly I speak, since both I have seen; unfaithful is man to maid; we speak them fairest when thoughts are falsest and wile the wisest of hearts.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
Your brother’s slayer, though met on the road, a half-burned house, or too swift a horse. A steed is worthless, if it breaks on foot. One must not be so trusting, as to trust in these.	Early-sown acres, let none ever trust, nor trust his son too soon: undoes weather the one, unwisdom the other: risk not thy riches on these.	Never trust a field sown early or a son too soon; weather rules crops, sons need wisdom, you run a risk both ways.	a brother’s murderer, though on the high road met, a half-burnt house, an over-swift horse, (a horse is useless, if a leg be broken), no man is so confiding as to trust any of these.
Bellow's Note: 89. This stanza follows stanza 89 in the manuscript. Many editors have changed the order, for while stanza 89 is pretty clearly an interpolation wherever it stands, it seriously interferes with the sense if it breaks in between 87 and 88.
The different authors have obviously jumped ship with their orders of the stanzas at this point. I would highly suggest reading the 80's all together to get the meanings.

Stanza 88

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
akri ársánum trúi engi maðr né til snemma syni veðr ræðr akri en vit syni hætt er þeira hvárt	A brother's killer encountered upon The highway a house half-burned, A racing stallion who has wrenched a leg, Are never safe: let no man trust them.	In a brother's slayer, | if thou meet him abroad, In a half-burned house, | in a horse full swift-- One leg is hurt | and the horse is useless-- None had ever such faith | as to trust in them all.	sickly calf or self-willed thrall, witch's flattery, new-slain foe, brother's slayer, though seen on the highway, half burned house, or horse too swift -- be never so trustful as these to trust. (Bray has this as stanza 86)
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
Early sown acres should no man trust, nor too soon a son. Weather ruins the acres, and stupidity the son. Each of these is a risk.	Thy brother's banesman, though it be on the road, a half-burned house, a speedy hose-- worthless the steed if one foot he breaks-- so trusting be no one to trust in these!	your brother's murderer, though met on the road, a half-burned house or a horse too swift (if he breaks his leg you've lost your mount) -- a man's too trusting who takes a chance on these.	an early sown field let no one trust, nor prematurely in a son: weather rules the field, and wit the son, each of which is doubtful;
Stanzas 85-88 are a pretty comprehensive list of things not to be trusted in life. All are things that may harm you.

Stanza 87

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
sjúkum kálfi sjálfráða þræli völu vilmæli val nýfeldum	A witch' s welcome, the wit of a slave, A sick calf, a corpse still fresh,	In a calf that is sick | or a stubborn thrall, A flattering witch | or a foe new slain.	sickly calf or self-willed thrall, witch's flattery, new-slain foe, brother's slayer, though seen on the highway, half burned house, or horse too swift -- be never so trustful as these to trust.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
A sick calf, an uppity thrall, the pleasant talk of a volva, the fresh fallen warrior.	A sickly calf, a self-willed thrall, the smooth words foa witch, warriors fresh-slain,	a sick calf, a willful slave, sweet words from witches, the newly slain,	a sick calf, a self-willed thrall, a flattering prophetess, a corpse newly slain, (a serene sky, a laughing lord, a barking dog, and a harlot’s grief);
Bellow's Note: 87. The stanza is doubtless incomplete. Some editors add from a late paper manuscript two lines running: "In a light, clear sky | or a laughing throng, In the bowl of a dog | or a harlot's grief!"
Stanzas 85-88 are a pretty comprehensive list of things not to be trusted in life. All are things that may harm you.

Stanza 86

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
fljúganda fleini fallandi báru ísi einnættum ormi hringlegnum brúðar beðmálum eða brotnu sverði bjarnar leiki eða barni konungs	A flying arrow, an ebbing tide, A coiled adder, the ice of a night, A bride's bed talk, a broad sword, A bear's play, a prince' s children,	In a flying arrow | or falling waters, In ice new formed | or the serpent's folds, In a bride's bed-speech | or a broken sword, In the sport of bears | or in sons of kings,	flying arrows, or falling billow, ice of a nighttime, coiling adder, woman's bed-talk, or broken blade, play of bears or a prince's child,
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
A flying arrow, a crashing wave, night old ice, a coiled snake, a bride’s bed talk, a broken sword, the play of bears, a king’s son,	A flying dart, a foaming billow, ice one night old, a coiled-up adder, a woman's bed-talk, a broken blade, the play of cubs, a king's scion,	a dart flying, falling seas, new ice, a serpent coiled, a bride's bed-talk, a broken sword, a bear at play or a king's boy,	a flying dart, a falling billow, a one night’s ice, a coiled serpent, a woman’s bed-talk, or a broken sword, a bear’s play, or a royal child,
Stanzas 85-88 are a pretty comprehensive list of things not to be trusted in life. All are things that may harm you.

Stanza 85

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Brestanda boga brennanda loga gínanda úlfi galandi kráku rýtanda svíni rótlausum viði vaxanda vági vellanda katli	A snapping bow, a burning flame, A grinning wolf, a grunting boar, A raucous crow, a rootless tree, A breaking wave, a boiling kettle,	In a breaking bow | or a burning flame, A ravening wolf | or a croaking raven, In a grunting boar, | a tree with roots broken, In billowy seas | or a bubbling kettle,	flying arrows, or falling billow, ice of a nighttime, coiling adder, woman's bed-talk, or broken blade, play of bears or a prince's child,
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
A brittle bow, a burning fire, a grinning wolf, a singing crow, a grunting boar, a rootless tree, a swelling wave, a boiling kettle,	A brittle bow, a burning fire, a gaping wolf, a grunting sow, a croaking crow, a kettle boiling, a rising sea, a rootless tree	A creaking bow, a burning flame, a yawning wolf, a crow crying, squealing swine, a rootless tree, billows rising, a kettle boiling,	in a creaking bow, a burning flame, a yawning wolf, a chattering crow, a grunting swine, a rootless tree, a waxing wave, a boiling kettle,
Bellow's Note: 85. Stanzas 85-88 and go are in Fornyrthislag, and clearly come from a different source from the rest of the Havamal.
Stanzas 85-88 are a pretty comprehensive list of things not to be trusted in life. All are things that may harm you.

Stanza 84

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Meyjar orðum skyli manngi trúa né því er kveðr kona því at á hverfanda hvéli váru þeim hjörtu sköpuð brigð í brjóst um lagit	No man should trust a maiden's words, Nor what a woman speaks: Spun on a wheel were women's hearts, In their breasts was implanted caprice,	A man shall trust not | the oath of a maid, Nor the word a woman speaks; For their hearts on a whirling | wheel were fashioned, And fickle their breasts were formed.	The speech of a maiden should no man trust nor the words which a woman says; for their hearts were shaped on a whirling wheel and falsehood fixed in their breasts.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
Let no man trust a maiden’s words, nor the talk of a woman, for their hearts were shaped on a spinning wheel, and falsehood lurks in their breasts.	A wench's words let no wise man trust, nor trust the troth of a woman; for on whirling wheel their hearts are shaped, and fickle and fitful their mings.	Never trust what a maiden tells you nor count any woman constant; their hearts are turned on a potter's wheel, their minds are made to change.	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;
Bellow's Note: 84. Lines 3 and 4 are quoted in the Fostbræthrasaga.
Sorry, ladies.