The sense of this stanza is most difficult; the meaning of first part seems to be that tongue and head are of one host, and nevertheless the tongue may be the head’s bane. The latter part probably means: the hand of a foe or friend may be hidden under any cloak. Footnote 314: Here we see the custom of counting weeks by five. Footnote 315: Doom, judgment passed by men over man = his name. Footnote 316: In a paper MS. of 1684 some verses are found which are not on the skin text. Footnote 317: Lostfagr = so fair as to kindle lust. Footnote 318: Billing occurs in Voluspa as a name of dverg. Footnote 319: This means—as if I was mad with love. Footnote 320: Odrerir = song-inspirer or vessel for the poetic mead. Footnote 321: Midgard. Footnote 322: Odin. Footnote 323: Odin. Footnote 324: I.e., the Temple ring which, like the Bible now, was formerly used for oaths. Footnote 325: These three verses are repeated at the head of nearly each stanza but omitted after this stanza. Footnote 326: I.e., mistress. Footnote 327: No man is another’s friend who says only what he wishes. Footnote 328: To Odin is attributed the power to make men in battle mad with terror like swine.—‘Ynglinga Saga,’ ch. 6. Footnote 329: Something as alms. Footnote 330: War. Footnote 331: Men. Footnote 332: Two stanzas missing, see vol. i. p. 322. CHAPTER XXV. SORROW AND MOURNING. Egil’s sorrow—Egil’s song—The first song of Gudrun—The second song of Gudrun—Halls draped with black and grey. There are several beautiful examples in Northern literature showing how strong were the affections in the hearts of the people, even among the bravest warriors. Conspicuous amongst these examples are Egil’s and Gudrun’s songs of sorrow, the former mourning the death of a son, the latter that of a husband.