Footnote 283: One who subdues words—an eloquent man—for every chief was trained to be a good speaker. Footnote 284: These two lines, which are repeated in every stanza in the original text, are omitted in subsequent stanzas here. Footnote 285: These three lines are repeated at the beginning of each stanza, but are omitted in subsequent stanzas. Footnote 286: Rin = Rhine river, fire of Rhine = gold, because hidden in the river. Footnote 287: Door of Delling, a Dverg = the rock; before his door = on the ground. Footnote 288: A sword. Footnote 289: Spider. Footnote 290: Woman’s house. Footnote 291: On the sea. Footnote 292: The swans swim to their nests and lay eggs; the shell of the eggs is neither made by hand nor shaped by hammer, but the swan with whom they beget the eggs is breasting the waves outside the islands. Footnote 293: The bears of the North sleep all winter. Footnote 294: Ægir. Footnote 295: Ægir = the sea. Footnote 296: Ran, the wife of Ægir. According to the Prose Edda, Gymir is the same as Ægir and Hlér. Footnote 297: Rocks. Footnote 298: Horse. Footnote 299: Odin. Footnote 300: His sword. CHAPTER XXIV. THE CONDUCT OF LIFE—THE HÁVAMÁL. Rules of life—The duty of hospitality—Folly of boasting—The wise man keeps his eyes and ears open—Wits are better than wealth—Drink destroys reason—The duty of cheerfulness and bravery—Over-eating—We should not worry—All who smile on a man are not his friends—The value of silence—A guest should not outstay his welcome—The value of a home however humble—No man should be the friend of his foe’s friend—Every man has two sides to his character—Man’s happiness—Wealth is the most unstable of friends—The fickleness of woman—All is fair in love—Do not neglect your friends—No man is without his faults—Proverbs and wise savings. To all great popular leaders and lawgivers are often attributed the dogmas and words of wisdom which form part of their creed. It is not therefore surprising to find the great Norse code of morality, known under the name of Hávamál,[301] attributed to Odin; Hávamál meaning the “Song of the High.” All door-ways Before one goes forth Should be looked over, Should be searched out, For ‘tis hard to know Where foes sit On the benches before one. Hail my host![302] A guest has come in; Where shall he sit? In hot haste is he Who has to try his luck On snow-shoes. Fire is needed By him who has come in And is benumbed in his knees; Food and clothes Are needed by one Who has travelled over the mountain.