Page:Völsunga Saga (1888).djvu/134



IGURD spake now, “Sure no wiser woman than thou art one may be found in the wide world; yea, yea, teach me more yet of thy wisdom!”

She answers, “Seemly is it that I do according to thy will, and show thee forth more redes of great avail, for thy prayer’s sake and thy wisdom;” and she spake withal—

“Be kindly to friend and kin, and reward not their trespasses against thee; bear and forbear, and win for thee thereby long enduring praise of men.

“Take good heed of evil things: a may’s love, and a man’s wife; full oft thereof doth ill befall!

“Let not thy mind be overmuch crossed by unwise men at thronged meetings of folk; for oft these speak worse than they wot of; lest thou be called a dastard, and art minded to think that thou art even as is said; slay such an one on another day, and so reward his ugly talk.

“If thou farest by the way whereas bide evil things, be well ware of thyself; take not harbour near the highway, though thou be benighted, for oft abide there ill wights for men’s bewilderment.

“Let not fair women beguile thee, such as thou mayst meet at the feast, so that the thought thereof stand thee in