The meanest of the mean is he

Who basely breaks the promise made

To trusting friends who lent him aid.

He sins who for a steed has lied,

As if a hundred steeds had died:

Or if he lie, a cow to win,

Tenfold as heavy is the sin.

But if the lie a man betray,

Both he and his shall all decay.[639]

O Vánar King, the thankless man