Stanza 102

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Mörg er góð mær ef görva kannar hugbrigð við hali þá ek þat reynda er it ráðspaka teygða ek á flærðir fljóð háðungar hverrar leitaði mér it horska man ok hafða ek þess vættki vífs	Many a girl when one gets to know her Proves to be fickle and false: That treacherous maiden taught me a lesson, The crafty woman covered me with shame"; That was all I got from her.	Many fair maids, | if a man but tries them, False to a lover are found; That did I learn | when I longed to gain With wiles the maiden wise; Foul scorn was my meed | from the crafty maid, And nought from the woman I won.	100. Many a sweet maid when one knows her mind is fickle found towards men: I proved it well when that prudent lass I sought to lead astray: shrewd maid, she sought me with every insult and I won therewith no wife.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
Many a good maid proves false hearted when you get to know her. I found that out when I lured the wise woman in lust. The clever maiden had sport of me with all manner of mockery, and I had not my way with her.	Many a good maid, if you mark it well, is fickle, though fair her word; that I quickly found when the cunning maid I lured to lecherous love; every taunt and gibe she tried on me, and naught I had of her.	Make no mistake -- there are many maidens fickle and false; I learned this truth that time I tried to lure one to love -- she made me suffer every shame and denied me all delight.	Many a fair maiden, when rightly known, towards men is fickle: that I experienced, when that discreet maiden I strove to seduce: contumely of every kind that wily girl heaped upon me; nor of that damsel gained I aught.
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. Rask adds at the beginning of this stanza two lines from a late paper manuscript, running: "Few are so good | that false they are never To cheat the mind of a man." He makes these two lines plus lines I and 2 a full stanza, and line 3, 4, 5, and 6 a second stanza.
This myth is unknown outside of Havamal, 96-102. It is unknown whom exactly Billing is. It's been speculated that he is probably a giant. These stanzas are proof that the gods are not omnipotent.his is a perfect example of a humorous myth, at Odin’s expense! First, she puts him off until later (afraid of magic?) He returns, but the hall is full of warriors. “And near morning, when I came again, Then the hall company were asleep ;A bitch I found then tied on the bed; Of that good woman.” (101) Men, how often have you encountered this sort of situation? The girl flirts, bats her lashes, coo's at you, leads you on.. only to run and hide with a devilish laugh when you pursue her?