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| − | ===Gunther, King of the Franks, learns of Walther’s presence on his territory and, despite Hagen’s warnings, decides to pursue him for his treasure (436–488)===
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| − | |As soon as dawn had driven back the shades of night,
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| − | |The ferry-man arose, went to the forenamed city
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| − | |And gave the royal cook, the master of all others
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| − | |The fishes that the traveler had just given him.
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| − | |The cook, when he had seasoned them with herbs, then served
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| − | |Them to King Gunther who, amazed, said from his throne,
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| − | |“Now fish of this sort France has never offered me!
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| − | |I think that they have come from foreign parts. Tell me
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| − | |At once: the man who brought them, where did he come from?”
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| − | |The cook said that the ferry-man had given them.
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| − | |The king commanded that the man be brought to him;
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| − | |He, when he came and then was asked about the matter,
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| − | |Gave this reply, and told the story all in sequence.
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| − | |“Last evening, on the Rhine’s bank, I was sitting down.
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| − | |I saw a traveler approaching in great haste,
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| − | |Equipped from head to foot as though expecting battle.
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| − | |He was, distinguished king, completely clad in bronze
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| − | |And as he walked he held a shield and gleaming spear.
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| − | |He seemed a man of strength, for even though he bore
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| − | |A heavy load, he still maintained a rapid pace.
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| − | |A girl adorned with stunning radiance of beauty
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| − | |Was following the man, and matched him stride for stride;
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| − | |And by the reins the maiden led a mighty stallion
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| − | |That bore indeed upon its back two quite large coffers
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| − | |Which, when the stallion shook its lofty mane and wished
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| − | |To rear up high and paw with haughty legs, gave forth
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| − | |A sound as if someone were striking gold with gem-stones.
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| − | |This was the man who gave to me those fish as payment.”
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| − | |When Hagen, who sat at the table, heard these words,
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| − | |With joyful heart he broke into the conversation,
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| − | |“Rejoice with me, I ask, that I have heard this news!
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| − | |For my companion Walter is back from the Huns.”
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| − | |From this account Prince Gunther, in his haughtiness,
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| − | |Exclaimed, and all the hall at once applauded him:
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| − | |“That I lived to see this, rejoice with me, I ask!
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| − | |The treasure which Gibicho sent the Eastern king
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| − | |Now God Almighty has sent back into my realm!”
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| − | |He spoke, kicked back the table, leaping up, and had
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| − | |Them bring his horse and dress it with a carven saddle.
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| − | |From all his troop he chose, including him, twelve men,
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| − | |Distinguished for their strength, their courage often proved;
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| − | |And he told Hagen he must go among these men.
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| − | |He, mindful of his former pledge and his old friend,
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| − | |Attempts to sway his lord from what he has begun.
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| − | |The king, however, nonetheless stands firm and says
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| − | |“Do not delay, my men! Gird your strong bodies with
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| − | |A sword; now let a scaly corselet guard your backs!
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| − | |Shall he remove from Frankish lands so great a treasure?”
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| − | |Equipped with weapons (as the king’s command required),
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| − | |They left the gates in eagerness to see you, Walter,
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| − | |And thinking they would cheat a weakling of his wealth.
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| − | |Though Hagen strives in every way to hinder him,
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| − | |The ill-starred king will not give up his undertaking.
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| − | |}
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