Slow Havamal: 112

In verse 112, Odin counsels Loddfafnir not to rise at night, unless to spy on an enemy, or take a leak.

Thus begins a series of verses in which Odin counsels someone named Loddfafnir on many things. We don’t know much about the man, but Odin says he’ll profit to learn from the advice.

There are many good reasons not to rise at night. An earlier verse pointed out that losing sleep will never help you accomplish what you intend the following day. Further, night was a different prospect to a 10th century Norseman. There were no lights to guide him. He could stub a toe, or worse. Night, as admitted in this verse, was also the domain of evildoers. Spies and highwaymen lurked in the dark. Maybe sorcerers plied their vile works by the moon. To remain in bed is not only to avoid these characters, but to avoid becoming one of them. ( Read more... )