I know I hung on the gust-beat gallows nine full nights,
gashed with a stake and given to fire-see,
myself to myself,on that ash-tree of which none know
from where the roots rise.
They did not comfort me with bread
nor with a drinking horn:
I looked down,I took up the runes, shrieking their names
I fell back from there.
I got nine mighty songs from the famous son
of Bolthorn, Bestla's father,and I got a drink of precious mead
sprinkled as from the heart.Then I began to thrive and bear wisdom
I grew and prospered;
Each word drew another word from me,each deed drew another deed from me.
Runes you will find, fateful signs
that the king of singers coloured
and the great gods have made,
good strong staves good stout staves
carved by a god-ruling spirit.
