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 Gunlad’s dwelling. 14. Drunk I was, I was over-drunk, At that cunning Fjalar’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 Everyone 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 belly Draws laughter on a silly man Who among the prudent comes. 21. Cattle know When to go home And then from grazing cease; But a foolish man Never knows His stomach’s measure.