| 1 |
Gáttir allar áðr gangi fram
um skoðask skyli,
um skyggnast skyli,
því at óvíst er at vita hvar óvinir
sitja á fleti fyrir.
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Through each unknown doorway,
before one goes forth,
he should spy about,
look carefully around;
since it is difficult to know,
where enemies are seated in the hall.
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| 2 |
Gefendr heilir!
Gestr er inn kominn,
hvar skal sitja sjá? Mjök er bráðr
sá er á bröndum skal síns of freista frama.
|
Hail to the Host!
A guest has entered,
where to sit?
Mead is plentiful
He that hath jokes shall be too tempted.
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| 3 |
Elds er þörf þeims inn er kominn
ok á kné kalinn.
Matar ok váða er manni þörf,
þeim er hefr um fjall farit.
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Fire is needed, by they who have arrived
with cold knees.
They need food and water,
those have gone through the mountains.
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| 4 |
Vatns er þörf þeim er til
verðar kemr, þerru ok þjóðlaðar,
góðs of æðis ef sér geta mætti
orðs ok endrþögu.
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There is need of water
by he who comes to the feast
of dry clothes and welcoming behavior
of conversation and of silence.
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| 5 |
Vits er þörf
þeim er víða ratar;
dælt er heima hvat;
at augabragði verðr
sá er ekki kann ok með snotrum sitr.
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There is need of wits
for the one who travels widely;
everything is easy at home;
He quickly becomes a mockery,
who knows nothing and yet sits with wise men.
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| 6 |
At hyggjandi sinni skyli-t maðr hræsinn vera,
heldr gætinn at geði; þá er horskr ok þögull
kemr heimisgarða til, sjaldan verðr víti vörum,
því at óbrigðra vin fær maðr aldregi
en mannvit mikit.
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A man should never be a hypocrite in his opinion,
rather be careful; the wise and silent
that go to the homes of others are rarely punished
because you will never have a friend more loyal
than great common sense.
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| 7 |
Inn vari gestr, er til verðar kemr,
þunnu hljóði þegir, eyrum hlýðir,
en augum skoðar;
svá nýsisk fróðra hverr fyrir.
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The guest who comes to the feast
should remain silent, but listen carefully,
and watch those around him;
the wise know how to learn new things.
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| 8 |
Hinn er sæll, er sér of getr
lof ok líknstafi;
ódælla er við þat,
er maðr eiga skal annars brjóstum í.
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Happy is he who hears
praise of himself;
there's nothing wrong with that,
if the other has their heart in it.
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| 9 |
Sá er sæll, er sjalfr of á
lof ok vit, meðan lifir
því at ill ráð
hefr maðr oft þegit annars brjóstum ór.
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Happy is the one who earns
praise and wisdom while living;
because bad council
comes from the hearts of other people.
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| 10 |
Byrði betri berr-at maðr brautu at
en sé mannvit mikit; auði betra
þykkir þat í ókunnum stað;
slíkt er válaðs vera.
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Burden better burden no man will bear
than great wisdom; it is better than riches
when traveling in an unknown place;
if such a thing is chosen.
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