Waltharius1062

Gunther tries to persuade Hagen to help him to defeat Waltharius; remembering his wounded honor, Hagen refuses (1062–1088)

His rex infelix visis suspirat et omni			Aeneid 3.172: talibus attonitus visis. . . ‘Awed by this vision. . .’		SSSSDS
Aufugiens studio falerati terga caballi			Georgics 3.318: omni studio. . . ‘The more zealously. . .’ Prudentius, Psychomachia 195-196.: phaleratum/ circumflectit equum. ‘She circles round on her bedecked steed.’		DDDSDS
Scandit et ad maestum citius Haganona volavit					DSDDDS
Omnimodisque illum precibus flexisse sategit,	1065	Flexisse sategit equiv. to flectere studuit	Aeneid 2.689: precibus si flecteris ullis. . . ‘If you are moved by any prayers. . .’		DSDSDS Elision: omnimodisque illum
Ut secum pergens pugnam repararet. at ille:					SSSDDS
Me genus infandum prohibet bellare parentum,		Genus infandum: in this speech Hagen sarcastically recalls the king’s insults about his father (cf. lines 629-631).			DSDSDS
Et gelidus sanguis mentem mihi ademit in armis.			Aeneid 3.30: gelidusque coit formidine sanguis. ‘My chilled blood freezes with terror.’ 3.259-260.: at sociis subita gelidus formidine sanguis/ deriguit. ‘But my comrades’ blood chilled and froze with sudden fear.’		DSSDDS Elision: mihi ademit
Tabescebat enim genitor, dum tela videret,					SDDSDS
Et timidus multis renuebat proelia verbis:	1070				DSDSDS
Haec dum iactasses, rex, inter te comitantes,			Aeineid 1.102: talia iactanti. . . ‘As he flings forth such words. . .’		SSSSDS
Extitit indignum nostri tibi quippe iuvamen.'		Nostri: With iuvamen, equivalent to nostrum. Or perhaps with indignum (cf. Aen. 12.649: indignus avorum); in the latter case tibi would have to be taken closely with iuvamen.			DSSDDS
Ille recusanti precibus nihilominus instans		Ille equiv. to rex			DSDDDS
Talibus aversum satagit revocare loquelis:					DSDDDS
Deprecor ob superos, conceptum pone furorem.	1075		Aeneid 4.501-502.: tantos mente furores/ concipit. ‘Her mind dreams not of such frenzy.’		DDSSDS
Iram de nostra contractam decute culpa,					SSSSDS
Quam vita comitante, domum si venero tecum,					SDDSDS
Impensis tibimet benefactis diluo multis.					SDDSDS
Nonne pudet sociis tot cognatisque peremptis					DDSSDS
Dissimulare virum? magis, ut mihi quippe videtur,	1080	Dissimulare virum equiv. to simulare feminam	Ovid, Ars Amatoria 1.690: veste virum longa dissimulatus erat. ‘He had disguised his manhood in a woman’s robe.’		DDDDDS
Verba valent animum quam facta nefanda movere.					DDSDDS
Iustius in saevum tumuisses mente tyrannum,					DSDSDS
Qui solus hodie caput infamaverat orbis.		Caput…orbis: the poet alludes to the situation of his own time, the era of Charlemagne, when the Frankish kings really had such a status.			SDDSDS
Non modicum patimur dammum de caede virorum,			Aeneid 11.634: caede virorum. . . ‘With the slaughter of the riders. . .’		DDSSDS
Dedecus at tantum superabit Francia numquam.	1085		Aeneid 10.681: ob tantum dedecus amens. . . ‘In madness because of disgrace so foul. . .’		DSDSDS
Antea quis fuimus suspecti, sibila dantes		Quis equiv. to quibus Suspecti: “feared”			DDSSDS
Francorum dicent exercitus omnis ab uno,			Aeneid 9.783-784.: unus homo et vestris, o cives, undique saeptus/ aggeribus tantas strages impune per urbem/ ediderit? ‘My countrymen, shall one man, hemmed in on every side by your ramparts, deal such carnage throughout the city and go unpunished?’		SSSDDS
Proh pudor ignotum vel quo, est impune necatus!			Aeneid 9.783-784.: unus homo et vestris, o cives, undique saeptus/ aggeribus tantas strages impune per urbem/ ediderit? ‘My countrymen, shall one man, hemmed in on every side by your ramparts, deal such carnage throughout the city and go unpunished?’ Prudentius, Psychomachia 353: pro pudor. . . ‘For shame!’		DSSSDS Elision: quo est

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Prologue 1–12: Introduction: the Huns 13–418: The Huns 13–33: The Franks under Gibich surrender to Attila, giving Hagen as a hostage 34–74: The Burgundians under Hereric surrender to Attila, giving Hildegund as a hostage 75–92: The Aquitainians under Alphere surrender to Attila, giving Walther as a hostage 93–115: Experience of the hostages at Attila’s court 116–122: Death of Gibich, flight of Hagen 123–141: Attila’s queen Ospirin advises her husband to ensure Walther’s loyalty by arranging a marriage 142–169: Walther rejects Attila’s offer of a bride 170–214: Walther leads the army of the Huns to victory in battle 215–418: The Escape 215–255: Walther returns from battle and encounters Hildegund 256–286: Walther reveals to Hildegund his plans for escaping with Attila’s treasure 287–323: Walther hosts a luxurious banquet for Attila’s court; eventually all his intoxicated guests fall asleep 324–357: Flight of Walther and Hildegund from Attila’s court 358–379: The following day, the escape of Walther and Hildegund is discovered by Ospirin 380–418: Attila is infuriated and vows revenge on Walther, but can find no one willing to dare to pursue him, even for a large reward 419–1061: The Single Combats 419–639: Diplomacy 419–435: Flight of Walther and Hildegund to the area of Worms 436–488: 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 489–512: Walther makes his camp in a mountainous area and goes to sleep 513–531: Gunther and his companions approach Walther’s camp; Hagen unsuccessfully tries to dissuade the king from attacking it 532–571: Hildegund sees the Franks approaching and wakes Walther, who calms her fears and prepares for battle; he recognizes Hagen from a distance 572–580: Hagen persuades Gunther to try diplomacy before using force 581–616: Camalo is sent as a messenger to Walther, who offers to make Gunther a gift in return for allowing his passage 617–639: Hagen counsels Gunther to accept the offer, but Gunther rejects this advice, calling him a coward. Insulted, Hagen goes off to a nearby hill 640–1061: Combat 640–685: 1st single combat. Camalo is sent back to Walther, who slays him 686–719: 2nd single combat. Walther slays Kimo/Scaramund, Camalo’s nephew 720–724: Gunther encourages his men 725–753: 3rd single combat. Walther slays Werinhard, a descendant of the Trojan Pandarus 754–780: 4th single combat. Walther slays the Saxon Ekivrid, after an exchange of insults 781–845: 5th single combat. Walther slays Hadawart, after an exchange of insults 846–877. Hagen sees his nephew Patavrid going off to fight Walther and laments the evil wreaked on mankind by greed 878–913. 6th single combat. After trying to dissuade him from fighting, Walther slays Patavrid 914–940: 7th single combat. Walther slays Gerwitus 941–961: Gunther again encourages his men, giving Walther some time to rest 962–980. 8th single combat. Walther is shorn of his hair by Randolf, whom he then slays 981–1061. Walther is attacked by Eleuthir/Helmnot, assisted by Trogus, Tanastus, and Gunther; he slays all but Gunther 1062–1452: The Final Combat 1062–1088: Gunther tries to persuade Hagen to help him to defeat Waltharius; remembering his wounded honor, Hagen refuses 1089–1129: Hagen changes his mind and agrees to help Gunther, but advises that they must lie low wait until Walther comes down from the mountains into open ground 1130–1187: Walther decides to spend the night in the mountains. He rematches the severed heads with the bodies of his victims, prays for their souls, then sleeps 1188–1207: The following day, Walther and Hildegund set out from the mountains, taking the horses and arms of the defeated warriors 1208–1236: Hildegund perceives Gunther and Hagen approaching to attack; the king addresses Walther 1237–1279: Walther ignores Gunther and pleads with Hagen to remember the bond of their childhood friendship; Hagen counters that Walther has already broken their faith by slaying Patavrid 1280–1345: The fight begins and continues for seven hours; Gunther foolishly tries to retrieve a thrown spear from the ground near Walther and is only saved from death by Hagen’s brave intervention 1346–1375: Walther challenges Hagen; he severs Gunther’s leg, but Hagen again saves the king’s life 1376–1395: Hagen cuts off Walther’s right hand; Walther gouges out one of Hagen’s eyes and, cutting open his cheek, knocks out four teeth 1396–1442: Having wounded each other, the warriors end the battle, drink together, and engage in a friendly exchange of humorous taunt 1443–1452: The warriors return to their respective homes; Walther marries Hildegund and eventually becomes king of the Aquitainians 1453–1456: Epilogue

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