I know that I hung On the windy tree Nine[128] whole nights, Wounded with a spear, Given to Odin, Myself to myself; On the tree Of which no one knows From what roots it comes. They gave me no food Nor a horn (drink); I peered downward, I caught the runes, Learned them weeping;[129] Thence I fell down. Nine songs of might I learnt from the famous Son of Bölthorn, father of Bestla;[130] And I got a draught Of the precious mead, Taken out of Odrerir.[131] Then I became fruitful And wise: I grew and I throve; Word followed word With me; Act followed act With me. Thou wilt find runes And letters to read, Very large staves, Very strong staves, Which the mighty wise one drew, And the high powers made, And the Hropt of the gods (Odin) carved. Odin (carved runes) among the Asar;[132] Dain with the Alfar; Dvalin with the Dvergar; Alsvid (the All-wise) With the Jötnar; Some I carved myself. Better ’tis not to invoke Than sacrifice too much; A gift always looks for reward; Better not to send Than offer too much; Thus Thund[133] carved Before the origin of men; He rose there; There he came back. I know incantations Which no king’s wife knows, And no man’s son. Help is the first one called, And it will help thee Against strife and sorrows, Against all kinds of grief. A second I know, Which the sons of men need, Who would as leeches live.[134] The third I know, If I am in sore need of Bonds for my foes; I deaden the edges[135] Of my foes; Neither weapons nor wiles hurt for them. The fourth I know, If men lay Bonds on my limbs; I sing (incantations) so That I can walk; The fetter flies off my feet, And the shackles off my hands. The fifth I know, If I see an arrow flying, Shot to harm in the array; It flies not so fast That I cannot stay it If I get sight of it.