ing
crow, a grunting swine, a rootless tree, a waxing wave, a boiling
kettle,

86. A flying dart, a falling billow, a one night's ice, a coiled
serpent, a woman's bed-talk, or a broken sword, a bear's play, or a
royal child,

87. A sick calf, a self-willed thrall, a flattering prophetess, a
corpse newly slain, [a serene sky, a laughing lord, a barking dog, and
a harlot's grief];

88. An early sown field let no one trust, nor prematurely in a son:
weather rules the field, and wit the son, each of which is doubtful;

89. A brother's murderer, though on the high road met, a half-burnt
house, an over-swift horse, (a horse is useless, if a leg be broken),
no man is so confiding as to trust any of these.

90. Such is the love of women, who falsehood meditate, as if one
drove not rough-shod, on slippery ice, a spirited two-years old and
unbroken horse; or as in a raging storm a helmless ship is beaten; or
as if the halt were set to catch a reindeer in the thawing fell.[21]

91. Openly I now speak, because I both sexes know: unstable are
men's minds towards women; 'tis then we speak most fair when we most
falsely think: that deceives even the cautious.

92. Fair shall speak, and money offer, who would obtain a woman's
love. Praise the form of a fair damsel; he gets who courts her.

93. At love should no one ever wonder in another: a beauteous
countenance oft captivates the wise, which captivates not the foolish.

94. Let no one wonder at another's folly, it is the lot of many.
All-powerful desire makes of the sons of men fools even of the wise.

95. The mind only knows what lies near the heart, that alone is
conscious of our affections. No disease is worse to a sensible man
than not to be content with himself.

96. That I experienced, when in the reeds I sat, awaiting my
delight. Body and soul to me was that discreet maiden: nevertheless I
possess her not.

97. Billing's lass[22] on her couch I found, sun-bright, sleeping. A
prince's joy to me seemed naught, if not with that form to live.

98. "Yet nearer eve must thou, Odin, come, if thou wilt talk the
maiden over; all will be disastrous, unless we alone are privy to such
misdeed."

99. I returned, thinking to love, at her wise desire. I thought I
should obtain her whole heart and love.

100. When next I came the bold warriors were all awake, with lights
burning, and bearing torches: thus was the way to pleasure closed.

101. But at the approach of morn, w