<haldi> is subjunctive 3rd person singular of the verb <halda> 'to
hold', used here in an imperative sense. The suffix <(a)t> negates the
verb; the <a> of this negative suffix is dropped when the verb form ends
in a vowel. So <haldit> 'let a man not hold', 'let no man hold', 'one
should not hold'.

--- In norse_course@yahoogroups.com, "True North" <editor@...> wrote:
>
> Folks, I could use some help translating the first line of Verse 19 in
the Havamal:
>
> "Haldit maðr á keri"
>
> I have several translations already from other sources in print, but
I'm looking for a new take on this. The research I'm doing just doesn't
support the translations I have (unless I'm screwing up badly).
>
> Currently, here is what I read (words in their respective order)
>
> "(the hold) (man's) (on?) (to a goblet)"
>
> I'm using a number of sources and trying to translate each word
separately, respecting it's grammatical ending, then trying to make
sense of the line.
>
> For the most part, I'm doing well, but this line has me stumped.
>
> Any help would be most appreciated!
>
> Eoghan
>