Waltharius93

Experience of the hostages at Attila’s court (93–115)

Tunc Avares gazis onerati denique multis
Obsidibus sumptis Haganone, Hiltgunde puella
Nec non Walthario redierunt pectore laeto.	95		Lucan, De Bello Civili 9.1039: effudit gemitusque expressit pectore lateo. ‘He shed tears and forced out groans while his heart rejoiced.’		"Nec non": The double negative most likely goes with "Walthario", in order to round out the summary and emphasize Walter as the most important hostage; "and also Walter" (courtesy JJTY).
Attila Pannonias ingressus et urbe receptus		Urbe receptus: Attila’s dwelling-place is not named in the Waltharius. The Roman historian Jordanes (Getica 34) locates it on the Tisza River, while the Nibelungenlied, by Althof’s interpretation, identifies it with Budapest (on the Danube).	Ovid, Metamorphoses 7.516: urbe receptus. . . ‘When I visited your city. . .’
Exulibus pueris magnam exhibuit pietatem		Pietatem: “kindness” – in Medieval Latin the word loses some of its lofty Virgilian resonances.
Ac veluti proprios nutrire iubebat alumnos.					Throughout the early stages of the poem Attila and Ospirin appear to do all in their power to adopt these children. Cf. line 165, and its note, in which Walther addresses Attila as "Pater optime" in response to the offer of a bride, "although the etymology of Attila as "little father" may have affected this particular phraseology [JZ]".
Virginis et curam reginam mandat habere,
Ast adolescentes propriis conspectibus ambos	100	Propriis conspectibus equiv. to ante suos oculos	Danihel Propheta 1.19: steterunt in conspectu regis. ‘They stood in the king’s presence.’ Liber Regum I 18.5: egrediebatur quoque David ad omnia quaecumque misisset eum Saul et prudenter se agebat; posuitque eum Saul super viros belli. ‘And David went out to whatsoever business Saul sent him, and he behaved himself prudently; and Saul set him over the soldiers.’ 18.13: et fecit eum tribunum super mille viros. ‘And he made him a captain over a thousand men.’ 18.17 dixitque Saul ad David: ecce filia mea maior Merob ipsam dabo tibi uxorem tantummodo esto vir fortis et proeliare bella domini. ‘And Saul said to David: Behold my elder daughter Merob, her will I give thee to wife: only be a valiant man, and fight the battles of the Lord.’ Actus Apostolorum 10.33: nunc ergo omnes nos in conspectu tuo adsumus. ‘Now therefore all we are present in they sight.’
Semper adesse iubet, sed et artibus imbuit illos			Danihel Propheta 1.19: steterunt in conspectu regis. ‘They stood in the king’s presence.’ Liber Regum I 18.5: egrediebatur quoque David ad omnia quaecumque misisset eum Saul et prudenter se agebat; posuitque eum Saul super viros belli. ‘And David went out to whatsoever business Saul sent him, and he behaved himself prudently; and Saul set him over the soldiers.’ 18.13: et fecit eum tribunum super mille viros. ‘And he made him a captain over a thousand men.’ 18.17 dixitque Saul ad David: ecce filia mea maior Merob ipsam dabo tibi uxorem tantummodo esto vir fortis et proeliare bella domini. ‘And Saul said to David: Behold my elder daughter Merob, her will I give thee to wife: only be a valiant man, and fight the battles of the Lord.’
Praesertimque iocis belli sub tempore habendis.		Iocis belli sub tempore habendis: “in the practice of warlike games appropriate to their ages.” Tac. Germ. 24 documents the use of play in the training of Germanic warriors.	Danihel Propheta 1.19: steterunt in conspectu regis. ‘They stood in the king’s presence.’ Liber Regum I 18.5: egrediebatur quoque David ad omnia quaecumque misisset eum Saul et prudenter se agebat; posuitque eum Saul super viros belli. ‘And David went out to whatsoever business Saul sent him, and he behaved himself prudently; and Saul set him over the soldiers.’ 18.13: et fecit eum tribunum super mille viros. ‘And he made him a captain over a thousand men.’ 18.17 dixitque Saul ad David: ecce filia mea maior Merob ipsam dabo tibi uxorem tantummodo esto vir fortis et proeliare bella domini. ‘And Saul said to David: Behold my elder daughter Merob, her will I give thee to wife: only be a valiant man, and fight the battles of the Lord.’
Qui simul ingenio crescentes mentis et aevo			Danihel Propheta 1.19: steterunt in conspectu regis. ‘They stood in the king’s presence.’ Liber Regum I 18.5: egrediebatur quoque David ad omnia quaecumque misisset eum Saul et prudenter se agebat; posuitque eum Saul super viros belli. ‘And David went out to whatsoever business Saul sent him, and he behaved himself prudently; and Saul set him over the soldiers.’ 18.13: et fecit eum tribunum super mille viros. ‘And he made him a captain over a thousand men.’ 18.17 dixitque Saul ad David: ecce filia mea maior Merob ipsam dabo tibi uxorem tantummodo esto vir fortis et proeliare bella domini. ‘And Saul said to David: Behold my elder daughter Merob, her will I give thee to wife: only be a valiant man, and fight the battles of the Lord.’ Secundum Lucam 2.52: et Iesus proficiebat sapientia aetate. ‘And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age.’
Robore vincebant fortes animoque sophistas,			Danihel Propheta 1.19: steterunt in conspectu regis. ‘They stood in the king’s presence.’ Liber Regum I 18.5: egrediebatur quoque David ad omnia quaecumque misisset eum Saul et prudenter se agebat; posuitque eum Saul super viros belli. ‘And David went out to whatsoever business Saul sent him, and he behaved himself prudently; and Saul set him over the soldiers.’ 18.13: et fecit eum tribunum super mille viros. ‘And he made him a captain over a thousand men.’ 18.17 dixitque Saul ad David: ecce filia mea maior Merob ipsam dabo tibi uxorem tantummodo esto vir fortis et proeliare bella domini. ‘And Saul said to David: Behold my elder daughter Merob, her will I give thee to wife: only be a valiant man, and fight the battles of the Lord.’
Donec iam cunctos superarent fortiter Hunos.	105		Danihel Propheta 1.19: steterunt in conspectu regis. ‘They stood in the king’s presence.’ Liber Regum I 18.5: egrediebatur quoque David ad omnia quaecumque misisset eum Saul et prudenter se agebat; posuitque eum Saul super viros belli. ‘And David went out to whatsoever business Saul sent him, and he behaved himself prudently; and Saul set him over the soldiers.’ 18.13: et fecit eum tribunum super mille viros. ‘And he made him a captain over a thousand men.’ 18.17 dixitque Saul ad David: ecce filia mea maior Merob ipsam dabo tibi uxorem tantummodo esto vir fortis et proeliare bella domini. ‘And Saul said to David: Behold my elder daughter Merob, her will I give thee to wife: only be a valiant man, and fight the battles of the Lord.’
Militiae primos tunc Attila fecerat illos,			Danihel Propheta 1.19: steterunt in conspectu regis. ‘They stood in the king’s presence.’ Liber Regum I 18.5: egrediebatur quoque David ad omnia quaecumque misisset eum Saul et prudenter se agebat; posuitque eum Saul super viros belli. ‘And David went out to whatsoever business Saul sent him, and he behaved himself prudently; and Saul set him over the soldiers.’ 18.13: et fecit eum tribunum super mille viros. ‘And he made him a captain over a thousand men.’ 18.17 dixitque Saul ad David: ecce filia mea maior Merob ipsam dabo tibi uxorem tantummodo esto vir fortis et proeliare bella domini. ‘And Saul said to David: Behold my elder daughter Merob, her will I give thee to wife: only be a valiant man, and fight the battles of the Lord.’
Sed haud immerito, quoniam, si quando moveret			Danihel Propheta 1.19: steterunt in conspectu regis. ‘They stood in the king’s presence.’ Liber Regum I 18.5: egrediebatur quoque David ad omnia quaecumque misisset eum Saul et prudenter se agebat; posuitque eum Saul super viros belli. ‘And David went out to whatsoever business Saul sent him, and he behaved himself prudently; and Saul set him over the soldiers.’ 18.13: et fecit eum tribunum super mille viros. ‘And he made him a captain over a thousand men.’ 18.17 dixitque Saul ad David: ecce filia mea maior Merob ipsam dabo tibi uxorem tantummodo esto vir fortis et proeliare bella domini. ‘And Saul said to David: Behold my elder daughter Merob, her will I give thee to wife: only be a valiant man, and fight the battles of the Lord.’
Bella, per insignes isti micuere triumphos;		Isti: the pronoun iste in Medieval Latin loses its Classical 2nd-person/disdainful connotations and is practically equivalent to ille.	Danihel Propheta 1.19: steterunt in conspectu regis. ‘They stood in the king’s presence.’ Liber Regum I 18.5: egrediebatur quoque David ad omnia quaecumque misisset eum Saul et prudenter se agebat; posuitque eum Saul super viros belli. ‘And David went out to whatsoever business Saul sent him, and he behaved himself prudently; and Saul set him over the soldiers.’ 18.13: et fecit eum tribunum super mille viros. ‘And he made him a captain over a thousand men.’ 18.17 dixitque Saul ad David: ecce filia mea maior Merob ipsam dabo tibi uxorem tantummodo esto vir fortis et proeliare bella domini. ‘And Saul said to David: Behold my elder daughter Merob, her will I give thee to wife: only be a valiant man, and fight the battles of the Lord.’
Idcircoque nimis princeps dilexerat ambos.			Danihel Propheta 1.19: steterunt in conspectu regis. ‘They stood in the king’s presence.’ Liber Regum I 18.5: egrediebatur quoque David ad omnia quaecumque misisset eum Saul et prudenter se agebat; posuitque eum Saul super viros belli. ‘And David went out to whatsoever business Saul sent him, and he behaved himself prudently; and Saul set him over the soldiers.’ 18.13: et fecit eum tribunum super mille viros. ‘And he made him a captain over a thousand men.’ 18.17 dixitque Saul ad David: ecce filia mea maior Merob ipsam dabo tibi uxorem tantummodo esto vir fortis et proeliare bella domini. ‘And Saul said to David: Behold my elder daughter Merob, her will I give thee to wife: only be a valiant man, and fight the battles of the Lord.’
Virgo etiam captiva deo praestante supremo	110
Reginae vultum placavit et auxit amorem,			Liber Regum I 13.12: faciem domini non placavi. ‘I have not appeased the face of the Lord.’
Moribus eximiis operumque industria habundans.
Postremum custos thesauris provida cunctis
Efficitur, modicumque deest, quin regnet et ipsa;		Modicum deest quin: “it was almost the case that”
Nam quicquid voluit de rebus, fecit et actis.	115

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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 962–981. 8th single combat. Walther is shorn of his hair by Randolf, whom he then slays 982–1061. 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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