Havamal

The Havamal

"first I know, unknown to rulers,
Or any human mind;
Help it is named, for help it can give
In hours of despair....

I know a third, in the thick of battle,
If my need be great,
It will blunt the edges of swords and axes,
Their weapons will make no wounds.

I know a ninth, when need I have
To shelter my ship on the flood,
The wind it calms, the waves it smoothes
And puts the sea to sleep.

The Wise One has spoken the words in the hall,
Joy to him who understood.

I know another, only few know,
The names of the falles ones.
About the gigh ones, elves and gods,
I can name them all."

Odin hung himself, nine nights in all, a sacrifice to himself, a spear in his ribs, through pain and sacrifice he discovered the power of runes, and thus was born the Havamal.
For it is said:

Know that I hung in this tree
All of nights nine
Wounded by the spear, given to myself
Enlightened I'll become

No horn they upheld, nor handed me bread
I looked below me, aloud I cried
Caught up the runes, caught them up wailing
Then to the ground I fell again

I know that I hung in this tree
All of nights nine
Wounded by the spear, given to myself
Enlightened I'll become

From the son of Bolthorn, Bestla's father
I mastered mighty songs nine
And a drink I had from the strongest mead
Got out from Thraerir

Valdr galga

Yggdrasil must abide
More than to men is known
The hart browsing above, it's bark rotting
And Nidhogg gnawing beneath