But he stopped ere long, saying: "The English words will not frame the meaning rightly.

I do no justice to the wisdom that is hidden." Then Neot turned to the king, and said: "Sing to Harek words from the book of Wisdom that we know.

I think you can remember it well." "I have not rhymed it," the king answered; "but sometimes the song shapes itself when it is needed." He took Guerir's little harp and tuned it afresh and sang.

And in the words were more wisdom than in the Havamal or in the song of the bards, so that I wondered; and Harek was silent, looking out to the sunset with wide eyes.
Not long did the king sing, as it seemed to us; and when he ceased, Harek made no sign.
"Sing now, my cousin, words that are wiser than those; even sing from the songs of David the king." So said Neot; and Alfred sang again very wondrously, and as with some strange awe of the words he said.

Then to me it seemed that beside these the words of Odin were as nought.