THE ELDER EDDA OF SAEMUND
6. Of his understanding no one should be proud, but rather in conduct cautious. When the prudent and taciturn come to a dwelling, harm seldom befalls the cautious; for a firmer friend no man ever gets than great sagacity.
7. A wary guest,[1] who to refection comes, keeps a cautious silence, with his ears listens, and with his eyes observes: so explores every prudent man.
8. He is happy, who for himself obtains fame and kind words: less sure is that which a man must have in another's breast.
9. He is happy, who in himself possesses fame and wit while living; for bad counsels have oft been received from another's breast.
10. A better burthen no man bears on the way than much good sense; that is thought better than riches in a strange place; such is the recourse of the indigent.
11. A worse provision on the way he cannot carry than too much beer-bibbing; so good is not, as it is said, beer for the sons of men.
12. A worse provision no man can take from table than too much beer-bibbing: for the more he drinks the less control he has of his own mind.
13. Oblivion's heron 'tis called that over potations hovers; he steals the minds of men. With this bird's pinions I was fettered in Gunnlods dwelling.
- ↑ In the Copenhagen paper Ms. F. this strophe begins with the following three lines:—
Wit is needful
to him who travels far:
harm seldom befalls the wary:They are printed in the Stockholm edition of the original Afzelius and Rask, and in the Swedish translation by Afzelius.
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