Monday, May 14, 2018

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.

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