THE SCENE: In the Saga of the Volsungs, Sigurd meets the former Valkyrie Brynhild. While her beauty and ferocity are plain to see, it is her wisdom that wins his heart.
THE TEXT: Sigurd said: “Never can there be found a wiser woman in the world than you. Give me more wise counsel.” Brynhild answered: “It is right to do your bidding and give you good advice, because you seek it wisely.” Then she said: “Do well by your kinsmen and take little revenge for their wrongdoings. Endure with patience and you will win long-lasting praise. Beware of ill dealing, both of a maid’s love and a man’s wife; ill often arises from these. Control your temper with foolish men at crowded gatherings, for they frequently speak worse than they know. When you are called a coward, people may think that you are rightfully named so. Kill the man another day, rewarding him for his malicious words. “
“If you travel a road where evil creatures dwell, be wary. Although caught by nightfall, do not take shelter near the road, for foul beings who bewilder men often live there.”
“Even if you see beautiful women at a feast, do not let them entice you so that they interfere with your sleep or distress your mind. Do not allure them with kisses and other tenderness. And if you hear foolish words from drunken men, do not dispute with those who are drunk on wine and have lost their wits. To many men such things bring much grief or even death.”
“It is better to fight with your enemies than to be burned at home. And do not swear a false oath, because hard vengeance follows the breaking of truce. Do the right thing by dead men, be they dead from disease, by drowning, or by a weapon. Prepare their bodies with care. And do not trust any man, even though he is young, whose father or brother or close kinsman has been killed by you. Often a wolf lies in a young son. Beware of the wiles of friends. I see only a little of your future life, yet it would be better if the hate of your in-laws did not descend upon you.”
Sigurd said: “No one is wiser than you. And I swear that I shall marry you, for you are to my liking.” She replied: “I would most prefer to marry you, even should I choose from among all men.” And this they pledged with vows between them.
– Saga of the Volsungs, 13th Century AD
