With a worse man speak not | three words in dispute,

Ill fares the better oft

When the worse man wields a sword.

[a]126]. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,—

Profit thou hast if thou hearest,

Great thy gain if thou learnest:

A shoemaker be, | or a maker of shafts,

For only thy single self;

If the shoe is ill made, | or the shaft prove false,

Then evil of thee men think.