The Words of All-wise
© 2023 Edward Pettit, CC BY-NC 4.0 https://doi.org/10.11647/OBP.0308.11
- ‘Now shall a bride cover the benches with me,
come home in my company;
it’ll seem to everyone a hurried engagement,
she shan’t take her leisure at home!’ - ‘What kind of living thing is that? Why are you so livid around the nose?
Were you with a corpse last night?
There seems to me to be the likeness of giants in you,
you weren’t born for a bride!’ - ‘I am named Alvíss, I live beneath the earth,
I have a homestead under stone;
I’ve come to see the man of carts(?),
let no one break people’s firm pledge!’ - ‘I shall break it, because I have most say
over the bride, like her father;
I wasn’t at home when she was betrothed to you,
[I being] the only one who is her giver(?) among the gods.’ - ‘What kind of man are you who claims authority
over the fair-glowing woman?
Few will recognize you, vagrant —
who has born you to arm-rings?’ - ‘I am named Vingþórr — I have wandered widely —
I am Síðgrani’s son;
not with my consent shall you have the young maiden
and get that marriage.’ - ‘Your consent is what I soon want to have,
and to make this marriage;
I would rather have, than be without,
that snow-white maiden.’ - ‘The maiden’s love won’t be withheld
from you, wise guest,
if you can tell me all that I want to know
from every world. - ‘Tell me this, Alvíss — I expect, dwarf, that you know
all the history of living beings:
what the earth, which lies before the sons of men,
is named in each world.’ - ‘It’s named jǫrð {Earth] among men, but fold [Field] among Æsir,
Vanir call it vegar [Ways],
giants ígrœn [Very Green], elves gróandi [Growing],
the powers above call it aurr [Clay/Mud].’ - ‘Tell me this, Alvíss — I expect, dwarf, that you know
all the history of living beings:
what the sky, the one known to Hymir(?),
is named in each world.’ - ‘It’s named himinn [Sky/Heaven] among men, but hlýrnir [heavenly bodies] among gods,
Vanir call it vindofnir [Wind-Weaver],
giants uppheimr [Up-World], elves fagrarræfr [Fair Roof],
dwarves drjúpr salr [Dripping Hall].’ - ‘Tell me this, Alvíss — I expect, dwarf, that you know
all the history of living beings:
how the moon, which men see,
is named in each world.’ - ‘It’s named máni [Moon] among men, but mýlinn [Waning/Crescent Moon] among gods,
in Hel they call it hverfanda hvél [Whirling Wheel],
giants skyndir [Hurrier], and dwarves skin [Shine],
elves call it ártali [Year-Counter].’ - ‘Tell me this, Alvíss — I expect, dwarf, that you know
all the history of living beings:
what the sun, which the sons of men see,
is named in each world.’ - ‘It’s named sól [Sun] among men, but sunna [Sun] among gods,
dwarves call it Dvalins leiki [Dvalinn’s toy/plaything],
giants eygló [Ever-Glow], elves fagrahvél [Fair Wheel],
sons of the Æsir alskír [Sons of the Æsir].’ - ‘Tell me this, Alvíss — I expect, dwarf, that you know
all the history of living beings:
what the clouds, which mix with showers,
are named in each world.’ - ‘They’re named ský [Clouds] among men, but skúrván [Prospect of shower] among gods,
Vanir call them vindflot [Wind-floating];
giants úrván [Prospect of drizzle], elves veðrmegin [Weather/wind/storm power],
in Hel they call them hjálmr huliðs [Helmet of hiding].’ - ‘Tell me this, Alvíss — I expect, dwarf, that you know
all the history of living beings:
what the wind, which travels most widely,
is named in each world.’ - ‘It’s named vindr [Wind] among men, but váfuðr [Waverer/Roamer] among gods,
mighty powers call it gneggjuðr [Neigher],
giants œpir [Howler], elves dynfari [Din-farer],
in Hel they call it hviðuðr [Squaller].’ - ‘Tell me this, Alvíss — I expect, dwarf, that you know
all the history of living beings:
what the calm, which shall lie,
is named in each world.’ - ‘It’s named logn [Calm] among men, but lœgi [Laying] among gods,
Vanir call it vindslot [Wind-end],
giants ofhlý [Sultry], elves dagsefi [Day-soother],
dwarves call it dags vera [Day’s Shelter].’ - ‘Tell me this, Alvíss — I expect, dwarf, that you know
all the history of living beings:
what the sea, which men row on,
is named in each world.’ - ‘It’s named sær {Sea} among men, but sílægja [Ever-calm] among gods,
Vanir call it vágr [Surge],
giants álheimr [Eel-home], elves lagastafr [Waters’ stave],
dwarves call it djúpr marr [Deep sea].’ - ‘Tell me this, Alvíss — I expect, dwarf, that you know
all the history of living beings:
what the fire, which burns before the sons of men,
is named in each world.’ - ‘It’s named eldr [Fire] among men, but funi [Flame] among Æsir,
Vanir call it vágr [Surge],
giants freki [Greedy], and dwarves forbrennir [Burner-Up],
in Hel they call it hrǫðuðr [Hurrier].’ - ‘Tell me this, Alvíss — I expect, dwarf, that you know
all the history of living beings:
what the wood, which grows before the sons of men,
is named in each world.’ - ‘It’s named viðr [Wood] among men, but vallar fax [Field’s mane] by gods,
heroes call it hlíðþang [Slope-seaweed],
giants eldi [Firewood], elves fagrlimi [Fair-limb],
Vanir call it vǫndr [Wand/Mast].’ - ‘Tell me this, Alvíss — I expect, dwarf, that you know
all the history of living beings:
what the night, the one known to Nǫrr,
is named in each world.’ - ‘It’s named nótt [Night] among men, but njól [Darkness] among gods,
mighty powers call it gríma [Mask],
giants óljós [Unlight], elves svefngaman [Sleep-Joy],
dwarves call it draumnjǫrun [Dream-Njǫrun{Goddess/Woman}].’ - ‘Tell me this, Alvíss — I expect, dwarf, that you know
all the history of living beings:
what the seed, which the sons of men sow,
is named in each world.’ - ‘It’s named bygg [Barley] among men, but barr [Barley] among gods,
Vanir call it vaxt [Growth],
giants æti [Food], elves lagastafr [Waters’ stave {Believed to be a scribal mistake}],
in Hel they call it hnipinn [Hanging Down].’ - ‘Tell me this, Alvíss — I expect, dwarf, that you know
all the history of living beings:
what the ale, which the sons of men drink,
is named in each world.’ - ‘It’s named ǫl [Ale] among men, but bjórr [Beer] by Æsir,
Vanir call it veig [Liquor],
giants hreinalǫgr [Bright-Liquid], and in Hel mjǫðr [Mead],
Suttungr’s sons call it sumbl [Drink].’ - ‘In a single breast I’ve never seen
more ancient staves!
By great tricks I declare you’ve been duped:
you’re up, dwarf, when it’s dawned,
the sun now shines in the halls!’
* Original text modified by the editor for clarification and ease of reading