2 Stanzas of Havamol

The Poetic Eddas were committed to paper in the 13th century. Their date of original composition is unknown but represents oral tradition predating the Christian conversion of the Norsemen around 1000 A.D. The Eddas provide a glimpse into the culture of these fascinating people, who both influenced and were influenced by the Celts, whom they frequently contacted among the "Western Islands." One of these poems, Havamol, is somewhat of a jumble. The portion I've chosen to copy below is from the first section, constituting the largest part. I chose to share these two stanzas because of their relationship to my post, Honor and Courage, but there is much more to be learned from a full reading. This translation (1936) is by Henry Adams Bellows from the Old Norse.


Cattle die, and kinsmen die,
And so one dies one's self;
But a noble name will never die,
If good renown one gets.

Cattle die, and kinsmen die,
And so one dies one's self;
One thing now that never dies,
The fame of a dead man's deeds.