Slow Havamal: 83

The 83rd verse says to drink ale by the fire, skate on the ice, buy a thin horse and a rusty sword. Feed the horse, but let your dog fend for itself.

This verse is initially baffling enough to me that I wonder if some of the figurative meaning that would have been obvious to a Norseman either doesn’t translate easily or is lost altogether on me. The first four lines, at least, seem to have something in common with verse 82: that of doing the right thing at the right time and place. By the fire is where you’ll enjoy your ale. Ice requires skates, and they won’t work on a summer lake.( Read more... )