Slow Havamal: 136

In verse 136, Odin says that it must be a strong door that opens for everyone. You must give your guest something, or he will call down every curse there is upon your limbs.

The opening lines about the strong door pose another translation challenge, says Crawford. It doesn’t seem to make sense with the second half of the verse. He has chosen to phrase it as such in the sense that a door that opens for guests must be strong enough to close on the face of an enemy, though this verse seems to suggest that it’s better to give the wicked person something than to be cursed, so I’m not sure if that holds water.

Let’s have faith in our translator, though. ( Read more... )