Havamal - The Words of Othinn
Hávamál is a group of poems from the book 'Snorra Edda'. They are at least 1000 years old, and have probably begun much earlier, as a part of an oral tradition. The name Hávamál means the words of the high one, the Norse god Óðinn (Othin).
In my opinion there is very little religious or heathen in Hávamál's message. Just lots of pure, timeless, common-sense.
I have typed in the first part, Gestaþáttur (Guest's Chapter). each of the 77 verses contains some wisdom or advice for the human race.
I include two English translations that I've found online. Each has it's strengths and weaknesses (as is common with translations) but together they give you a pretty good idea of the meaning and feeling of the Icelandic original.
Hávamál
GestaþátturFrom the book Eddukvæði,Ólafur Briem, Skálholt, 1968, Reykjavík.Believed to be under copyright
1.Gáttir allar,áður gangi fram,um skoðast skyli,um skyggnast skyli,því óvíst er að vita,hvar óvinirsitja á fleti fyrir.
2.Gefendur heilir.Gestur er inn kominn,hvar skal sitja sjá?Mjög er bráður,sá er á bröndum skalsíns um freista frama.
3.Elds er þörf,Þeim er inn er kominnog á kné kalinn;matar og voðaer manni þörf,þeim er hefir um fjall farið.
4.Vatns er þörf,þeim er til verðar kemur,þerru og þjóðlaðar,góðs um æðis,ef sér geta mætti,orðs og endurþögu.
5.Vits er þörf,þeim er víða ratar;dælt er heima hvað.Að augabragði verður,sá er ekki kannog með snotrum situr.
6.Að hyggjandi sinniskyli-t maður hræsinn vera,heldur gætinn að geði.Þá er horskur og þögullkemur heimisgarða til,sjaldan verður víti vörum,því að óbrigðra vinfær maður aldregien manvit mikið.
7.Inn vari gestur,er til verðar kemur,þunnu hljóði þegir,eyrum hlýðir,en augum skoðar;svo nýsist fróðra hver fyrir.
Hávamál
Wisdom for Wanderersand Counsel to GuestsThe Elder or Poetic Edda,edited and translated by Olive Bray(London: Printed for the Viking Club, 1908),pp. 61-111.Believed to be in the public domain.See also:
1. At every door-way,ere one enters,one should spy round,one should pry roundfor uncertain is the wittingthat there be no foeman sitting,within, before one on the floor
2.Hail, ye Givers! a guest is come;say! where shall he sit within?Much pressed is he who fain on the hearthwould seek for warmth and weal.
3.He hath need of fire, who now is come,numbed with cold to the knee;food and clothing the wanderer craveswho has fared o'er the rimy fell.
4.He craves for water, who comes for refreshment,drying and friendly bidding,marks of good will, fair fame if 'tis won,and welcome once and again.
5.He hath need of his wits who wanders wide,aught simple will serve at home;but a gazing-stock is the fool who sitsmid the wise, and nothing knows.
6.Let no man glory in the greatness of his mind,but rather keep watch o'er his wits.Cautious and silent let him enter a dwelling;to the heedful comes seldom harm,for none can find a more faithful friendthan the wealth of mother wit.
7.Let the wary stranger who seeks refreshmentkeep silent with sharpened hearing;with his ears let him listen, and look with his eyes;thus each wise man spies out the way.
Havamal
Guest's ChapterW.H.Auden & P.B.Taylor translation.Believed to be in the public domain.Source Rob Goodson.
1.The man who stands at a strange threshold,Should be cautious before he cross it,Glance this way and that:Who knows beforehand what foes may sitAwaiting him in the hall?
2.Greetings to the host,The guest has arrived,In which seat shall he sit?Rash is he who at unknown doorsRelies on his good luck.
3.Fire is needed by the newcomerWhose knees are frozen numb;Meat and clean linen a man needsWho has fared across the fells.
4.Water, too, that he may wash before eating,Handcloth's and a hearty welcome,Courteous words, then courteous silenceThat he may tell his tale.
5.Who travels widely needs his wits about him,The stupid should stay at home:The ignorant man is often laughed atWhen he sits at meat with the sage.
6.Of his knowledge a man should never boast,Rather be sparing of speechWhen to his house a wiser comes:Seldom do those who are silentMake mistakes; mother witIs ever a faithful friend.
7.A guest should be courteousWhen he comes to the tableAnd sit in wary silence,His ears attentive, his eyes alert:So he protects himself.
Reccommended literature links:
· Hávamál - The Words of Odin the High One - maintained by D. L. Ashliman
· Netutgafan - Old Icelandic Literary works made available in the Public Domain. (Similar to Project Gutenberg)
· IPL Online Texts Collection - List of books, texts, and other literary works that are on-line.
Maintained by: Már Örlygsson - last updated on May 1st 2001
I have only included the first 7 entries of the Gestaþáttur on this web page. For the complete listing of all 77 lines of the Gestaþáttur, either click the link at the head of the page, or download it directly from the link below.
