"Two are adversaries;
The tongue is the bane of the head;
Under every cloak
I expect a hand."
"A firmer friend
No man ever gets
Than great sagacity."
"Givers and requiters
Are longest friends."
"A worse provision
No man can carry
Than too much beer-bibbing;
So, good is not, as it is said,
Beer for the sons of men."
"My garments in a field
I gave away
To two wooden men;
Heroes they seemed to be
When they got cloaks."
"Much too early
I came to many places
But too late to others;
The beer was drunk,
Or not ready
The disliked seldom hits the moment."
We often read of Odin disguising himself, sometimes in animal, more frequently in human form. He wanders about the world, and very curious stories are told about his adventures. Sometimes he asks his wife's leave before setting off,—
"Counsel thou me now, Frigg!
As I long to go
An all-wise giant to visit."
And Frigg answers,—
"In safety mayest thou go,
In safety return;
In safety on thy journeyings be;
May thy wit avail thee
When thou, father of men! shalt
Hold converse with the giant."