Difference between revisions of "Waltharius215English"
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+ | ===Walther returns from battle and encounters Hildegund (215–255)=== | ||
+ | {| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |The king’s attendants rushed down from the citadel, | ||
+ | |215 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Delighted at the sight of him, and held his horse, | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Until the famous man dismounted from his saddle; | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |And only then they asked if things have turned out well. | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Recounting but a little, he entered the hall, | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |For he was weary, and sought out the royal chamber. | ||
+ | |220 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |And he found Hildegund there sitting by herself. | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |He first embraced and kissed her sweetly, then he said, | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |“Bring drink here quickly; I am gasping with exhaustion.” | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |At once she filled a precious beaker with strong wine | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |And gave it to the man, who, as he took it, crossed | ||
+ | |225 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Himself, and pressed the maiden’s hand with his; but she | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Just stood there, silent, staring at her master’s face. | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Then Walter drained the cup and gave it back to her | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |(Both knew of the betrothal set concerning them) | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |And with these words he spoke to his beloved girl: | ||
+ | |230 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |“Together we have suffered exile for so long, | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Although we are not ignorant of what our parents | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Arranged among themselves about our future state. | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |How long shall we suppress these thoughts in silent mouths?” | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Believing her betrothed said this ironically, | ||
+ | |235 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |The maiden paused a moment, then made this reply: | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |“Why feign in speech what you condemn deep in your breast, | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |And with your mouth urge what you spurn with all your heart, | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |As if it were a great shame to wed such a bride?” | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |The clever man replied in turn and spoke these words: | ||
+ | |240 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |“May what you say be wrong! Now hear the proper meaning. | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Know that I did not speak with a deceitful mind. | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Believe that nothing vague or false was intermixed; | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |For there is no one present but the two of us. | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |If I knew you would show a sympathetic spirit | ||
+ | |245 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |And in all ways be faithful to my clever plans, | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Then I would show you all the secrets of my heart.” | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |At this the maiden, stooping to his knees, then spoke: | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |“Where you direct, my lord, I’ll follow eagerly. | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |For I would not place anything above your orders.” | ||
+ | |250 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Then he: “I have at last grown tired of our long exile, | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Remembering often my homeland’s forsaken borders. | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |And therefore I desire to speed my stealthy escape. | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |I could perhaps have done this many days ago, | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Were I not grieved that Hildegund be left alone.” | ||
+ | |255 | ||
+ | |} | ||
<hr /> | <hr /> | ||
Revision as of 20:47, 26 August 2009
Walther returns from battle and encounters Hildegund (215–255)
The king’s attendants rushed down from the citadel, | 215 |
Delighted at the sight of him, and held his horse, | |
Until the famous man dismounted from his saddle; | |
And only then they asked if things have turned out well. | |
Recounting but a little, he entered the hall, | |
For he was weary, and sought out the royal chamber. | 220 |
And he found Hildegund there sitting by herself. | |
He first embraced and kissed her sweetly, then he said, | |
“Bring drink here quickly; I am gasping with exhaustion.” | |
At once she filled a precious beaker with strong wine | |
And gave it to the man, who, as he took it, crossed | 225 |
Himself, and pressed the maiden’s hand with his; but she | |
Just stood there, silent, staring at her master’s face. | |
Then Walter drained the cup and gave it back to her | |
(Both knew of the betrothal set concerning them) | |
And with these words he spoke to his beloved girl: | 230 |
“Together we have suffered exile for so long, | |
Although we are not ignorant of what our parents | |
Arranged among themselves about our future state. | |
How long shall we suppress these thoughts in silent mouths?” | |
Believing her betrothed said this ironically, | 235 |
The maiden paused a moment, then made this reply: | |
“Why feign in speech what you condemn deep in your breast, | |
And with your mouth urge what you spurn with all your heart, | |
As if it were a great shame to wed such a bride?” | |
The clever man replied in turn and spoke these words: | 240 |
“May what you say be wrong! Now hear the proper meaning. | |
Know that I did not speak with a deceitful mind. | |
Believe that nothing vague or false was intermixed; | |
For there is no one present but the two of us. | |
If I knew you would show a sympathetic spirit | 245 |
And in all ways be faithful to my clever plans, | |
Then I would show you all the secrets of my heart.” | |
At this the maiden, stooping to his knees, then spoke: | |
“Where you direct, my lord, I’ll follow eagerly. | |
For I would not place anything above your orders.” | 250 |
Then he: “I have at last grown tired of our long exile, | |
Remembering often my homeland’s forsaken borders. | |
And therefore I desire to speed my stealthy escape. | |
I could perhaps have done this many days ago, | |
Were I not grieved that Hildegund be left alone.” | 255 |
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Note: this English text is identical to that found in Waltharius and Ruodlieb, edited and translated by Dennis M. Kratz. The Garland library of medieval literature, Series A, vol. 14. New York: Garland Pub., 1984.