Frethorik about the flaws and failings of the Brokmen

Whenever the Kroder has wheeled one time forth, then shall the posterity ween that the flaws and failings, which the Brokemen have brought with them, were the property of their forebears.¹
Therefore will I write as much about their habits as I have seen.

As to the Gertmen can I readily attest (lit. step in).
I have not gone about much with them.
Though so far as I have seen are the most abiding of speech and custom.⁵
That may I not say of the others.

Those who came away from Greece are of bad speech, and upon their morals may one not quite bow in praise.
Many have brown eyes and hair.
They are envious and forward and fearful through superstition.

When they speak, they mention the words first, which must come last.¹⁰
Rather than ALD (old) say they ad, rather than salt, sad, ma for man, sel for SKIL (shall), sode for SKOLDE (should), too much to name.
Also take they most unusual and shortened names, whereto one may attach no sense.

The Ionians speak better, though they drop the “h” and where it might not be, is it pronounced.
Whenever anyone makes an image of one deceased and it resembles him, then they believe, that the ghost of the deceased travels therein.
Therefore have they all hidden images of Frya, Fasta, Medea, Thainia, Hellenia and many others.¹⁵

When a child there is born, so come the sibs together and pray to Frya that she may let her maids come to bless the child.
When they have prayed so may not no one stir himself nor let himself be heard.

Comes the child to cry and keeps it on for an hour, thus is it an ill token and one is in suspicion, that the mom has done whoredom.
Therefore have I seen quite bad things.
Comes the child to sleep, so is it a token that the maids are come over it.²⁰
If it laughs in sleep, so have the maids promised it luck.

Furthermore believe they in evil spirits, witches, gobblins, wizards and elves as if they descended from the Finns.
Herewith will I end and now I think that I have written more, than any of my forebears.
Frethorik.