90
Sva er friþr qvenna
þeirra er flát hyggia,
sem aki io obryddom
a isi hálom,
teitom tvevetrom,
oc se tamr illa,
eþa i byr óþom
beiti stiornlavso,
eþa scyli halltr henda
hreín i þáfialli.
|
The love of a woman
who is deceitful in spirit
is like riding a smooth shod horse
on slippery ice,
a spirited two year old
who is poorly raised,
or a raging wind,
on a rudderless boat
it is like a lame man trying to catch
a reindeer on a thawing hill side.
|
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93
Astar firna
scyli engi maþr
annan aldregi;
opt fá á horscan,
er a heimscan ne fá,
lostfagrir litir.
|
No man may mock
another's love.
for beauty often
captures the heart of
the wise man
when it does not capture the fool.
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91
Bert ec nv meli,
þviat ec beði veit,
brigðr er karla hvgr konom;
þa ver fegrst melom,
er ver flast hyggiom,
þat telir horsca hvgi.
|
Now I will speak openly,
because I know both:
the hearts of men are untrue to maidens;
when we speak most fair
then we think most false.
Cunning that fools even the wisest of hearts.
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94
Eyuitar firna
er maþr annan scal
þess er vm margan gengr gvma;
heimsca ór horscom
gorir ha/lþa sono
sa inn matki mvnr.
|
A man must not
mock another
for what happens to many men;
the strength of love
makes the sons of men
into fools
who once were wise.
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92
Fagrt scal mela
oc fe bióþa
sa er vill fliods ast fá,
liki leyfa
ens liosa mans;
sa for er friár.
|
Fairly must he speak
and offer gifts,
he who wants to win the love of a woman;
praise the form
of the radiant maiden;
he wins who flatters in such a manner.
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95
Hvgr einn þat veit
er býr hiarta ner,
einn er hann ser vm seva;
a/ng er sot verri
hveim snotrom manne
enn ser a/ngo at vna.
|
Only the mind knows
what lives near the heart;
a man is alone with his own soul.
There is no sickness worse
for any wise man
than to have nothing to love.
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