d.
4. Water to him is needful who for refection comes, a towel and
hospitable invitation, a good reception; if he can get it, discourse
and answer.
5. Wit is needful to him who travels far: at home all is easy. A
laughing-stock is he who nothing knows, and with the instructed sits.
6. Of his understanding no one should be proud, but rather in
conduct cautious. When the prudent and taciturn come to a dwelling,
harm seldom befalls the cautious; for a firmer friend no man ever gets
than great sagacity.
7. A wary guest,[15] who to refection comes, keeps a cautious
silence, with his ears listens, and with his eyes observes: so
explores every prudent man.
8. He is happy, who for himself obtains fame and kind words: less
sure is that which a man must have in another's breast.
9. He is happy, who in himself possesses fame and wit while living;
for bad counsels have oft been received from another's breast.
10. A better burthen no man bears on the way than much good sense;
that is thought better than riches in a strange place; such is the
recourse of the indigent.
11. A worse provision on the way he cannot carry than too much
beer-bibbing; so good is not, as it is said, beer for the sons of men.
12. A worse provision no man can take from table than too much
beer-bibbing: for the more he drinks the less control he has of his
own mind.
13. Oblivion's heron 'tis called that over potations hovers; he
steals the minds of men. With this bird's pinions I was fettered in
Gunnlods dwelling.
14. Drunk I was, I was over-drunk, at that cunning Fialar's. It's
the best drunkenness, when every one after it regains his reason.
15. Taciturn and prudent, and in war daring, should a king's
children be; joyous and liberal every one should be until his hour of
death.
16. A cowardly man thinks he will ever live, if warfare he avoids;
but old age will give him no peace, though spears may spare him.
17. A fool gapes when to a house he comes, to himself mutters or is
silent; but all at once, if he gets drink, then is the man's mind
displayed.
18. He alone knows who wanders wide, and has much experienced, by
what disposition each man is ruled, who common sense possesses.
19. Let a man hold the cup, yet of the mead drink moderately, speak
sensibly or be silent. As of a fault no man will admonish thee, if
thou goest betimes to sleep.
20. A greedy man, if he be not moderate, eats to his mortal sorrow.
Oftentimes his b
|