Waltharius215

Walther returns from battle and encounters Hildegund (215–255)

Ecce palatini decurrunt arce ministri	215	Palatini: “palace servants”	Prudentius, Apotheosis 481: ecce Palatinus. . .minister. . . ‘See the servant of the palace. . .’ Aeneid 2.41: Laocoon ardens summa decurrit ab arce. ‘Laocoon in hot haste runs down from the citadel’s height.’ 11.490: fulgebatque alta decurrens aureus arce. ‘He shone with gold as he ran down from the fortress height.’		DSSSDS
Illius aspectu hilares equitemque tenebant,		Illius equiv. to Waltharii, objective genitive. Equitem equiv. to equum			DSDDDS Hiatus: aspectu hilares False quantities: illius
Donec vir sella descenderet inclitus alta.					SSSDDS
Si bene res vergant, tum demum forte requirunt.		Si…vergant: indirect question			DSSSDS
Ille aliquid modicum narrans intraverat aulam,			Liber Hester 4.2: non enim erat licitum indutum sacco aulam regis intrare. ‘For no one clothed with sackcloth might enter the king’s court.’		DDSSDS Elision: ille aliquid
lassus enim fuerat), regisque cubile petebat.	220	Cubile equiv. to cubiculum			DDSDDS
Illic Hiltgundem solam offendit residentem.					SSSSDS Elision: solam offendit
Cui post amplexus atque oscula dulcia dixit:			Aeneid 1.687: cum dabit amplexus atque oscula dulcia figet. . . ‘When she takes you to her bosom, embraces you and imprints sweet kisses. . .’		SSSDDS Elision: atque oscula
ocius huc potum ferto, quia fessus anhelo.'		Ocius: as often in the Waltharius, an adverb’s comparative form is used without any real comparative sense.	Statius Thebaid 11.7-8.: Phlegrae ceu fessus anhelet/ proelia. . . ‘As though he were breathless and weary after Phlegra’s fight. . .’		DSSDDS
Illa mero tallum complevit mox pretiosum		Tallum: “cup, goblet” – a Germanism.	Aeneid 1.729: implevitque mero pateram. ‘She filled the cup with wine.’ Liber II Macchabeorum 14.4: . . .offerens ei. . .tallos qui templi esse videbantur. ‘. . .Offering to him. . .boughs which seemed to belong to the temple.’		DSSSDS	The trope of a woman offering drink or other reward for military service to the hero is common to both Classical and Germanic traditions. In Aeneid 1.729, Dido offers Aeneas wine. The word used there is implevit, echoed in the Waltharius by complevit. This theme is also present in the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf. After killing Grendel, Beowulf receives a necklace and a byrnie from Wealtheow, Hrothgar’s wife (l. 1215-1220). Before the contest with Grendel, Wealtheow offers Beowulf drink (l. 623-625), on his homecoming, Queen Hygd, the wife of Hygelac, also distributes mead (l. 1980-1983), and Beowulf also talks of Freawaru, Hrothgar’s daughter, distributing mead. Coincidently, Freawaru marries Ingeld, of whom Alcuin wrote to a bishop named Speratus, scolding him for listening to songs and stories of pagan heros, writing “What has Ingeld to do with Christ?” [AE]
Porrexitque viro, qui signans accipiebat	225	Signans: “making the sign of the Cross” before partaking of the drink.	Lucan 9.503: porrexitque duci. Aeneid 8.274: pocula porgite dextris. ‘Stretch forth the cup in your hands.’		SDSSDS	It seems that "signans" must be translated as Kratz does: “…gave it to the man, who, as he took it, crossed / himself, and pressed the maiden’s hand with his….” This translation is overtly Christian, but it is difficult to make sense of the passage otherwise. One way this could look would be that Hildegund offered Walther the filled cup, and he held it and her hand, while blessing the cup with his other hand. Du Cange’s Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis gives the Christian definition as the most common one and traces its use back to Tertullian, so it would likely have carried that connotation to a ninth- or tenth- century author or audience, especially if that audience were monastic. [AE]
Virgineamque manum propria constrinxit. at illa					DDDSDS	It would be interesting if the last two words of this line ("at illa") were intended as a pun on Attila’s name. However, this seems unlikely for several reasons. If the line were translated with "Attila" instead of "at illa," it would leave Attila to “stand there, silent, staring at [his] master’s face,” which does not make sense, even in a joking way. The phrase also appears later in the poem once Attila is gone (l. 673). [AE]
Astitit et vultum reticens intendit herilem,					DSDSDS
Walthariusque bibens vacuum vas porrigit olli			Aeneid 1.254: olli subridens. . . ‘Smiling on her. . .’		DDDSDS
Ambo etenim norant de se sponsalia facta --			Juvencus 1.2143: sponsalia pacta."		DSSSDS Elision: ambo etenim	This is one of the few hints given to the chronology of the first part of the poem. We know that when the hostages were taken, Gunther was too young to leave his mother, and we know that the three children are essentially adults by the time they leave (Hildegund is old enough to serve as quartermistress, and the boys have become warriors), and here we learn that Hildegund and Walther were both old enough when they were taken that they remember they are betrothed. Of course, it is also possible that Hagen or another captive knew of the betrothal and told them. [AE]
Provocat et tali caram sermone puellam:	230				DSSSDS
exilium pariter patimur iam tempore tanto,			Aeneid 2.638: exsiliumque pati. . . ‘to suffer exile. . .’		DDDSDS	The theme of exile is also common to both Classical and Germanic poems. In Anglo-Saxon, the elegies The Wanderer, The Seafarer, and The Wife’s Lament each recount sad stories of exile. In the Aeneid, the phrase exsilium pati appears, describing what Aeneas’s father will not do (l. 2.638). Ovid also wrote exile poems. Additionally, as Walther and Hildegund go into exile for the sake of their earthly fathers, and Hagen does so for the sake of his earthly lord, religious figures of their period underwent exile or wandering for the sake of God. [AE] You may also want to mention that exile is central to the Old Testament (e.g. Ezekiel, Esther). [JJTY] Exile is also important in the Old Testament. The Book of Ezekiel takes place during the Babylonian Captivity of the Jews, after the destruction of Solomon's Temple. In that case, it is an entire people that is exiled. The story of Esther, in the Book of Esther, is also that of an exile.
Non ignorantes, quid nostri forte parentes					SSSSDS
Inter se nostra de re fecere futura.					SSSSDS
Quamne diu tacito premimus haec ipsa palato?'			Aeneid 7.103: non ipse suo premit ore Latinus. ‘Latinus keeps not shut within his own lips.’		DDDSDS
Virgo per hyroniam meditans hoc dicere sponsum	235	Per hyroniam: “ironically,” i.e., insincerely, to tease her.			DDDSDS	This passage, particularly the word hyroniam in line 235, forms the heart of many scholars’ arguments about irony in the poem. It is clear from this passage that the poet understands the phenomenon of irony, and that he uses it for humorous effect, at least in this instance. However, it is not clear from this passage whether the poet meant anything more than entertainment, let alone the Christian conversion message which Parkes argues that the irony encodes (“Irony in Waltharius”). This passage is ironic because Walther says the opposite of what Hildegund expects, and it might be funny because the betrothed misunderstand each other, but in this key example, the poet does not attack pagan values. Indeed, Walther himself is not even being ironic. Hildegund only thinks he is. Another interpretation is that Walther is joking with Hildegund, and she plays along. However, their relationship does not involve this kind of joking elsewhere in the poem. For further investigation of irony in the Waltharius, see Dennis Green, Ford B. Parkes, Alain Renoir, and David Townsend. [AE]
Paulum conticuit, sed postea talia reddit:			Aeneid 2.323; 10.530: talia reddit. ‘He answers thus.’		SDSDDS
Quid lingua simulas, quod ab imo pectore damnas,			Aeneid 1.371: imoque trahens a pectore. 6.55: pectore ab imo. . . ‘From his inmost heart. . .’ 11.840: imo pectore.		SDDSDS
Oreque persuades, toto quod corde refutas,					DSSSDS
Sit veluti talem pudor ingens ducere nuptam?'		Sit veluti…pudor: “As if it were a disgrace to…!”			DSDSDS
Vir sapiens contra respondit et intulit ista:	240				DSSDDS
absit quod memoras! dextrorsum porrige sensum!		Porrige equiv. to dirige Dextrorsum: i.e., to what is favorable/correct.	Aeneid 4.109: quod memoras. . . ‘What you say. . .’		SDSSDS
Noris me nihilum simulata mente locutum			Aeneid 4.105: sensit enim simulata mente locutam. ‘For she knew that with feigned purpose she had spoken.’		SDDSDS	This line closely parallels line 4.105 of the Aeneid ("sensit enim simulata mente locutam"), but in the Aeneid, Venus has actually been fraudulent, whereas Walther here pleads that he was not. [AE]
Nec quicquam nebulae vel falsi interfore crede.					SDSSDS Elision: falsi interfore
Nullus adest nobis exceptis namque duobus:					DSSSDS
Si nossem temet mihi promptam impendere mentem	245				SSDSDS Elision: promptam impendere
Atque fidem votis servare per omnia cautis,					DSSDDS
Pandere cuncta tibi cordis mysteria vellem.'					DDSSDS
Tandem virgo viri genibus curvata profatur:					SDDSDS
ad quaecumque vocas, mi domne, sequar studiose		Domne equiv. to Domine	Aeneid 4.114: perge, sequar. ‘Go on; I will follow.’ Eclogue 3.49: veniam quocumque vocaris. ‘Wherever you challenge me, I’ll be there.’ Aeneid 5.22-23.: sequamur,/ quoque vocat, vertamus iter. ‘Let us follow, and turn our course whither she calls.’		SDSDDS
Nec quicquam placitis malim praeponere iussis.'	250				SDSSDS
Ille dehinc: 'piget exilii me denique nostri					DDDSDS
Et patriae fines reminiscor saepe relictos			Eclogue 1.3: nos patriae finis et dulcia linquimus arva. ‘We are leaving our country’s bounds and sweet fields.’		DSDSDS
Idcircoque fugam cupio celerare latentem.			Aeneid 1.357: tum celerare fugam patriaque excedere suadet. ‘Then he bids her take speedy flight.’ 3.666: nos procul inde fugam. . .celerare. ‘We speed our flight far from there.’ 9.378: celerare fugam.		SDDDDS
Quod iam prae multis potuissem forte diebus,		Prae multis…diebus: “many days ago.” Classical authors use prae + abl. to mean “before” only in a spatial sense.	Aeneid 2.342: forte diebus. . . ‘In those days, as it chanced. . .’		SSDSDS
Si non Hiltgundem solam remanere dolerem.'	255				SSSDDS

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

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