RUNECRAFT: Historical Background

The Sayings of Har

(Stanzas 138-145)

I wot that I hung on the wind tossed tree
all of nights nine,
wounded by spear, bespoken to Othin,
bespoken myself to myself,
upon that tree of which none telleth
from what roots it doth rise.

Neither horn they upheld nor handed me bread;
I looked below me -
alound I cried -
caught up the runes, caught them up wailing,
thence to the ground fell again.

From the son of Bolthor, Bestla's father,
I mastered mighty songs nine,
and a drink I had of the dearest mead,
got from out of Othroerir.

Then I began to grow and gain in insight,
to wax eke in wisdom:
one verse led on to another verse,
one poem led on to the other poem.

Runes wilt thou find, and rightly read,

of wondrous weight,
of mighty magic,
which that dyed the dread god,
which made the holy hosts,
and were etched by Othin,

Othin among Aesir, for alfs, Dain,
Dvalin for the dwarfs,
Alsvith among etins, but for earth-born men
wrought I some myself.

Know'st how to write, know'st how to read,
know'st how to stain, how to understand,
know'st how to ask, know'st how to offer,
know'st how to supplicate, know'st how to sacrifice?

'Tis better unasked than offered overmuch;
for ay doth a gift look for gain;
'tis better unasked than offered overmuch;
thus did Othin write ere the earth began,
when up he rose in after time.

Farrar/Bone 1997