Waltharius287

Walther hosts a luxurious banquet for Attila’s court; eventually all his intoxicated guests fall asleep (287–323)

Virgo memor praecepta viri complevit. et ecce					DSDSDS
Praefinita dies epularum venit, et ipse			Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1. Aeneid 5.104: Exspectata dies aderat. ‘The looked-for day had come.’ Hiezecihel Propheta 21.25: cuius venit dies in tempore iniquitatis praefinita. ‘Whose day is come that hath been appointed in the time of iniquity.’		SDDSDS
Waltharius magnis instruxit sumptibus escas.			Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1. Aeneid 3.231: instruimus mensas. ‘We spread the tables.’		DSSSDS
Luxuria in media residebat denique mensa,	290	Luxuria: personified	Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1. Aeineid 1.637-638.: at domus interior regali splendida luxu/ instruitur, mediisque parant convivia tectis. ‘But the palace within is laid out with the splendour of princely pomp, and amid the halls they prepare a banquet.’		DDDSDS Elision: luxuria in
Ingrediturque aulam velis rex undique septam.		Septam equiv. to saeptam, here “hung with” tapestries (velis), although a certain double-entendre in reference to the trap that is about to “enclose” Attila and his court may be intended.	Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1. Aeineid 1.637-638.: at domus interior regali splendida luxu/ instruitur, mediisque parant convivia tectis. ‘But the palace within is laid out with the splendour of princely pomp, and amid the halls they prepare a banquet.’ Aeneid 9.783: undique saeptus. . . ‘Hemmed in on every side. . .’		DSSSDS Elision: ingrediturque aulam
Heros magnanimus solito quem more salutans			Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1. Aeneid 6.649: magnanimi heroes. . . ‘High-souled heroes. . .’ 7.357: solito. . .de more. . . ‘According to the accustomed manner. . .’		SDDSDS
Duxerat ad solium, quod bissus compsit et ostrum.		Bissus: “fine linen”	Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1. Aeineid 8.178: Aenean solioque invitat acerno. ‘He invites Aeneas to a maple throne.’ Secundum Lucam 16.19: induebatur purpura et bysso. ‘He was clothed in purple and fine linen.’		DDSSDS
Consedit laterique duces hinc indeque binos			Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		SDDSDS
Assedisse iubet; reliquos locat ipse minister.	295		Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1. Aeineid 8.176: viros locat ipse sedili. ‘With his own hand he ranges the guests on the grassy seat.’		SDDDDS
Centenos simul accubitus iniere sodales,		Centenos equiv. to centum Accubitus: the word implies the ancient practice of reclining on couches while eating, but the poet probably simply means “seat.”	Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1. Prudentius, Apotheosis 713: centenos simul accubitus iniere sodales. ‘Like bosom friends they have joined in a hundred parties.’		SDDDDS
Diversasque dapes libans conviva resudat.		Resudat: The parallel in Prudentius suggests that this “sweating out” is a sign of over-indulgence, not pleasure. Singular for plural.	Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1. Aeineid 5.92: libavitque dapes. ‘He tasted the viands.’ Prudentius, Apotheosis 719-720.: crudus conviva resudat/ congeriem ventris. ‘The cloyed guest is exuding the mass in his belly.’		SDSSDS
His et sublatis aliae referuntur edendae,			Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		SSDDDS
Atque exquisitum fervebat migma per aurum		Migma: “mixture,” probably some sort of warm drink, e.g. mulled wine (not mead, as this was drunk cold).	Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		SSSSDS Elision: atque exquisitum
Aurea bissina tantum stant gausape vasa --	300	Bissina…gausape: “linen tablecloth.” The noun is not feminine in Classical authors.	Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		DSSSDS
Et pigmentatus crateres Bachus adornat.		Pigmentatus…Bachus: usually interpreted as “spiced wine;” German wine of the period was sour and had to be sweetened or flavored. But a miniature ecphrasic description of the appearance of the painted crateres (“mixing bowls,” here perhaps “cups”) also seems possible, given the emphasis on the material and visual (aurea, bissina, adornat, species) in this context.	Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		SSSSDS
Illicit ad haustum species dulcedoque potus.			Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		DSDSDS
Waltharius cunctos ad vinum hortatur et escam.			Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		DSSSDS Elision: vinum hortatur
Postquam epulis depulsa fames sublataque mensa,		Sublata mensa: once again it is unclear whether this is merely figurative language for “at the end of the meal,” picking up Virgil’s mensae remotae, or whether the poet envisions the tables being carried out. Althof emphasizes that the use of the singular does not establish that the guests necessarily feasted at one common table.	Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1. Aeneid 1.216: postquam exempta fames epulis mensaeque remotae. . . ‘When hunger was banished by the feats and the board was cleared. . .’ 1.723: Postquam prima quies epulis mensaeque remotae. . . ‘When first there came a lull in the feasting, and the boards were cleared. . .’ 8.184: postquam exempta fames et amor compressus edendi. . . ‘When hunger was banished and the desire of food was stayed. . .’		DSDSDS Elision: postquam epulis
Heros iam dictus dominum laetanter adorsus	305	Iam dictus: “the aforementioned,” i.e., Waltharius, a metrical crutch.	Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		SSDSDS
Inquit: 'in hoc, rogito, clarescat gratia vestra,			Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		DDSSDS
Ut vos inprimis, reliquos tunc laetificetis.'			Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1. Psalmi 103.15: . . .vinum laetificat cor hominis. ‘. . .That wine may cheer the heart of man.’		SSDSDS
Et simul in verbo nappam dedit arte peractam		Nappam equiv. to poculum, cf. German Napf.	Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1. Aeineid 1.640-641.: ingens argentum mensis, caelataque in auro/ fortia facta patrum, series longissima rerum. ‘On the tables is massive silver plate, and in gold are graven the doughty deeds of her sires, a long, long course of exploits.’ Liber Regum III 7.24: duo ordines scalpturarum histriatarum erant fusiles. ‘There were two rows cast of chamfered sculptures.’		DSSDDS
Ordine sculpturae referentem gesta priorum,			Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1. Aeineid 1.640-641.: ingens argentum mensis, caelataque in auro/ fortia facta patrum, series longissima rerum. ‘On the tables is massive silver plate, and in gold are graven the doughty deeds of her sires, a long, long course of exploits.’ Liber Regum III 7.24: duo ordines scalpturarum histriatarum erant fusiles. ‘There were two rows cast of chamfered sculptures.’		DSDSDS
Quam rex accipiens haustu vacuaverat uno,	310		Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		SDSDDS
Confestimque iubet reliquos imitarier omnes.			Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		SDDDDS
Ocius accurrunt pincernae moxque recurrunt,		Pincernae: “cup-bearers,” among the Germans usually noble youths.	Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		DSSSDS
Pocula plena dabant et inania suscipiebant.			Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		DDDDDS
Hospitis ac regis certant hortatibus omnes.		Hospitis: i.e., Waltharius, the host of the banquet.	Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		DSSSDS
Ebrietas fervens tota dominatur in aula,	315		Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		DSSDDS
Balbutit madido facundia fusa palato,			Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		SDSDDS
Heroas validos plantis titubare videres.			Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		SDSDDS
Taliter in seram produxit bachica noctem		Produxit bachica…munera: “prolonged the drinking”	Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1. Boethius, Philosophiae Consolationis 2.5.6: Bacchica munera. . . ‘The gifts of Bacchus. . .’ Virgil, Georgics 3.526-527.: Bacchi/ munera.		DSSSDS
Munera Waltharius retrahitque redire volentes,			Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		DDDDDS
Donec vi potus pressi somnoque gravati	320		Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1. Aeineid 6.520: somnoque gravatum. . . ‘Sunk in slumber. . .’		SSSSDS
Passim porticibus sternuntur humotenus omnes.			Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1. Aeineid 9.316-317.: passim somno vinoque per herbam/ corpora fusa vident. ‘Everywhere they see bodies stretched along the grass in drunken sleep.’		SDSDDS
Et licet ignicremis vellet dare moenia flammis,		Licet…remansit equiv. to etiamsi voluisset dare…nullus remansisset Ignicremis equiv. to igne cremantibus – a rare word, but not coined by this poet.	Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.		DDSDDS
Nullus, qui causam potuisset scire, remansit.		Causam equiv. to rem (cf. line 325 below and note on line 147).			SSDSDS

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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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