Hávamál

Lessons for Lovers

 

89.
Now plainly I speak, since both I have seen;
unfaithful is man to maid;
we speak them fairest when thoughts are falsest
and wile the wisest of hearts.

90.
-- Let him speak soft words and offer wealth
who longs for a woman's love,
praise the shape of the shining maid --
he wins who thus doth woo.

91.
-- Never a whit should one blame another
whom love hath brought into bonds:
oft a witching form will fetch the wise
which holds not the heart of fools.

92.
Never a whit should one blame another
for a folly which many befalls;
the might of love makes sons of men
into fools who once were wise.

93.
The mind knows alone what is nearest the heart
and sees where the soul is turned:
no sickness seems to the wise so sore
as in nought to know content.

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Verse Index

  1. Wisdom for Wanderers and Counsel to Guests(verses 1-79)

  2. Maxims for All Men (verses 80-88)

  3. Lessons for Lovers (verses 89-93)

  4. Odin's Love Quests (verses 94-100)

  5. Odin's Quest after the Song Mead (verses 101-108)

  6. The Counseling of the Stray-Singer(verses 109-136)

  7. Odin's Quest after the Runes (verses 137-144)

  8. The Song of Spells (verses 145-164)


Folklore and Mythology Electronic Texts
University of Pittsburgh © 1996-2003



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