Waltharius489

Walther makes his camp in a mountainous area and goes to sleep (489–512)

Interea vir magnanimus de flumine pergens		Vir magnanimus: Waltharius			DSDSDS	"magnanimus": literally, great-souled, great-hearted. The word implies generosity but also an heroic greatness of spirit beyond mere kindness. Dante frequently uses an Italian cognate of the word to describe figures who, while damned, retain inherent nobility, such as Virgil or Farinata degli Uberti. MCD
Venerat in saltum iam tum Vosagum vocitatum.	490	Vosagum: the name properly belongs not just to a saltus but to the region of the Vosges Mountains, now in north-eastern France.			DSSDDS	The area around Worms falls outside of the defined modern boundaries of the Vosges. Walther and Hildgund had most likely reached only the northernmost peaks of the Vosges, made of sandstone and rising to (comparatively) low heights around 2000 feet. Further south, the Vosges become granite and rise much higher. Throughout, however, they would have been covered by thick forest, resembling the Black Forest in age and density. MCD
Nam nemus est ingens, spatiosum, lustra ferarum			Georgics 2.471: illic saltus ac lustra ferarum. ‘They have woodland glades and haunts of game.’ Aeineid 3.646-647.: vitam in silvis inter deserta ferarum/ lustra domosque traho. ‘I began to drag out my life in the woods among the lonely lairs and haunts of wild beasts.’ 3.432: canibus resonantia saxa. . . ‘Rocks that echo with her hounds. . .’		DSDSDS	The Waltharius-poet creates an odd variant of the classical locus amoenus, in which a beautiful place is described. Indeed, the use of the word "nemus," often associated with sacred groves, would lead us to expect a peaceful or beautiful place. However, this nemus is "ingens," and home to wild beasts. As a place of apparent but deceptive refuge, it has more in common with Virgil's island of the Cyclops, which also is home to "lustra ferarum." MCD
Plurima habens, suetum canibus resonare tubisque.		Suetum canibus resonare tubisque: i.e., a popular place for hunting.	Georgics 2.471: illic saltus ac lustra ferarum. ‘They have woodland glades and haunts of game.’ Aeineid 3.646-647.: vitam in silvis inter deserta ferarum/ lustra domosque traho. ‘I began to drag out my life in the woods among the lonely lairs and haunts of wild beasts.’ 3.432: canibus resonantia saxa. . . ‘Rocks that echo with her hounds. . .’		DSDDDS Elision: plurima habens	"suetum canibus resonare tubisque": echoes a Virgilian phrase describing Scylla. This is probably a mere echo of diction rather than any deeper, content-based parallel. This is a good example of the pervading influence of the poet's classical background, of the pages and pages memorized during his education, in his Latin versification. MCD
Sunt in secessu bini montesque propinqui,		The precise locale being described has been exhaustively sought after (cf. Althof ad loc.), but is probably imaginary; the details given are largely taken from the Aeneid and are closely tailored to the series of one-on-one combats that will occur there.	Aeineid 1.159-160.: est in secessu longo locus. . .hinc atque hinc vastae rupes geminique minantur/ in caelum scopuli, quorum sub vertice late Aequora tuta silent. . .huc. . .Aeneas. . .subit. ‘There in a deep inlet lies a spot. On either side loom heavenward huge cliffs and twin peaks, beneath whose crest far and wide is the stillness of sheltered water. HereAeneas takes shelter.’ 3.229: in secessu longo. . . ‘In a deep recess. . .’ 8.597-598.: est ingens gelidum lucus prope Caeritis amnem. . .undique colles/ inclusere cavi et nigra nemus abiete cingunt. ‘Near Caere’s cold stream there stands a vast grove; on all sides curving hills enclose it and girdle the woodland with dark fir trees.’ 11.522-523.: est curvo anfractu valles. . .quam densis frondibus atrum/ urget utrimque latus. ‘There is a valley with sweeping curve, hemmed in on either side by a wall black with dense foliage.’		SSSSDS
Inter quos licet angustum specus extat amoenum,			Aeineid 1.159-160.: est in secessu longo locus. . .hinc atque hinc vastae rupes geminique minantur/ in caelum scopuli, quorum sub vertice late Aequora tuta silent. . .huc. . .Aeneas. . .subit. ‘There in a deep inlet lies a spot. On either side loom heavenward huge cliffs and twin peaks, beneath whose crest far and wide is the stillness of sheltered water. HereAeneas takes shelter.’ 3.229: in secessu longo. . . ‘In a deep recess. . .’ 8.597-598.: est ingens gelidum lucus prope Caeritis amnem. . .undique colles/ inclusere cavi et nigra nemus abiete cingunt. ‘Near Caere’s cold stream there stands a vast grove; on all sides curving hills enclose it and girdle the woodland with dark fir trees.’ 11.522-523.: est curvo anfractu valles. . .quam densis frondibus atrum/ urget utrimque latus. ‘There is a valley with sweeping curve, hemmed in on either side by a wall black with dense foliage.’		SDSDDS	Though the view is narrow and the place inhabited by wolves and bears, the poet insists that it is "amoenum," pleasant. Indeed, the poet's depiction of the place is almost schizophrenic, as he continues in the next lines to state that it was created by falling rocks (hardly conducive to safe refuge) and that it was best suited for bloody thieves. Nevertheless, the slight vegetation and Walther's relief at the prospect of rest give the place an air of hope. Possibly this conflicted description emphasizes the sense of relief at the prospect of rest and refuge which he intends Walther and Hildegund to feel. MCD
Non tellure cava factum, sed vertice rupum:	495				SDSSDS
Apta quidem statio latronibus illa cruentis.			Aeineid 11.522-523.: accommoda fraudi/ armorumque dolis. . . ‘Fit site for the stratagems and deceits of war. . .’		DDSDDS
Angulus hic virides ac vescas gesserat herbas.			Georgics 3.174-175.: non gramina tantum/ nec vescas salicum frondes. . . ‘Not grass alone or poor willow leaves. . .’ 4.131: vescumque papaver. . . ‘Fine-seeded poppy. . .’		DDSSDS	The diction in these lines echoes Virgilian formulae in the Georgics. I suggest that this effect emphasizes the barrenness of the land, contrasting it with the arable fields from which Walther and Hildegund have fled.
'huc', mox ut vidit iuvenis, 'huc' inquit 'eamus,			Aeineid 11.530: huc iuvenis nota fertur regione viarum. ‘Hither the warrior hastens by a well-known road.’		SSDSDS	Despite the obvious dangers of the place, the fallen rocks do offer some possibilities for defense and shelter. Throughout their journey, Walther and Hildegund have traveled through hidden places (see l. 420: "Atque die saltus arbustaque densa requirens"). MCD
His iuvat in castris fessum componere corpus.'			Georgics 4.438: defessa. . .componere membra. . . ‘To settle his weary limbs. . .’ 4.189: ubi iam thalamis se composuere. . . ‘When they have laid themselves to rest in their chambers. . .’		DSSSDS
Nam postquam fugiens Avarum discesserat oris,	500	Avarum…oris: i.e., Attila’s city			SDDSDS
Non aliter somni requiem gustaverat idem					DSDSDS
Quam super innixus clipeo; vix clauserat orbes.		Orbes equiv. to oculos			DSDSDS	Walther's larger-than-life heroism is momentarily humanized with the depiction of his exhaustion. The poet allows the reader or listener an impression of how hard Walther has been working to survive and protect Hildegund. Walther then proceeds to doff his armor and thus his identity as a warrior, delegating power to Hildegund. It is quite a surprising move in an epic poem, as a matter of fact, since Walther does not sleep to receive a prophetic utterance. He sleeps because he has human weaknesses. This could be interpreted as another instance of the poet's ironic view of Germanic heroism, but I actually suspect that the scene simply conveys tenderness and trust in the relationship between Walther and Hildegund. MCD
Bellica tum demum deponens pondera dixit		Bellica…pondera equiv. to arma	Aeineid 10.496: rapiens immania pondera baltei. . . ‘Tearing away the belt’s huge weight. . .’		DSSSDS
Virginis in gremium fusus: 'circumspice caute,			Aeineid 8.406: coniugis infusus gremio. . . ‘Melting in his wife’s arms. . .’		DDSSDS	"fusus": a challenging word to translate. Kratz translates the phrase, "while resting the virgin's lap," which preserves English idioms admirably. However, the phrase seems to imply more movement, using the word "fundo" (literally, "to pour") and the accusative of place to which ("in gremium." Moreover, variants of the word "fundo" appear later in the poem to describe brains or innards pouring out of a stabbed warrior (ll. 667, 951, 977, 1018, 1052). Lewis & Short suggest that one translation of "fundo" might include "stretch out," or "scatter." I suggest that the poet is trying to convey that Walther has lain down with his head in Hildegund's lap. Perhaps the most idiomatic translation might be, "having relaxed into the virgin's lap." MCD
Hiltgunt, et nebulam si tolli videris atram,	505	Nebulam: i.e., of dust from an approaching army	Aeineid 2.355-356.: lupi ceu/ raptores atra in nebula. . . ‘Like ravening wolves in a black mist. . .’ 8.258: nebulaque ingens specus aestuat atra. ‘Through the mighty cave the mist surges black.’		SDSSDS
Attactu blando me surgere commonitato,					SSSDDS
Et licet ingentem conspexeris ire catervam,					DSSDDS
Ne excutias somno subito, mi cara, caveto,		Hiltgunt should not wake Waltharius suddenly and thus startle him; since her eyes (acies, line 509) are good, she will be able to see an enemy from far away (and thus still give Waltharius plenty of time to react).	Aeineid 2.302: excutior somno.’I shake myself from sleep.’		DSDSDS Elision: ne excutias	"caveto:" Walther may be concerned that if he is woken too suddenly, he will react violently. It is certainly a commonplace in many modern action films, for the reason that it is proof that "a hero never sleeps."
Nam procul hinc acies potis es transmittere puras.					DDDSDS
Instanter cunctam circa explora regionem.'	510				SSSSDS Elision: circa explora	Walther entrusts Hildegund with the duties of a guard and trusts to her prudence about whether he should be woken. Though Hildegund does spend much of the poem in the background, even this small role is unusual for a woman in a heroic poem, and it affirms her value as an agent in the poem, not merely another treasure carried off from the Huns. Ironically, she is the true "gemma" (see note to l. 462), but as such she is not to be classed with the treasure as an object. The Franks will demand "the treasure and the girl," (l. 602) but they, as usual, are in error. For a further discussion, see Ward, in Roman Epic, ed. Boyle, 1993.
Haec ait atque oculos concluserat ipse nitentes			Aeineid 1.297: haec ait et. . . ‘He speaks these words, and. . .’ 1.228: oculos. . .nitentis. . . ‘Her bright eyes. . .’ Liber Hester 15.8: nitentibus oculis. . . ‘With shining eyes. . .’		DDSDDS Elision: atque oculos	{{Comment}"oculos nitentes": See note to l. 453. See also Matthew 6:22-24: "The light of thy body is thy eye. If thy eye be single, thy whole body shall be lightsome. But if thy eye be evil thy whole body shall be darksome. If then the light that is in thee, be darkness: the darkness itself how great shall it be! No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one, and love the other: or he will sustain the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" (Douay-Rheims translation. In Latin, the verses are: "lucerna corporis est oculus si fuerit oculus tuus simplex totum corpus tuum lucidum erit / si autem oculus tuus nequam fuerit totum corpus tuum tenebrosum erit si ergo lumen quod in te est tenebrae sunt tenebrae quantae erunt / nemo potest duobus dominis servire aut enim unum odio habebit et alterum diliget aut unum sustinebit et alterum contemnet non potestis Deo servire et mamonae") Walther's eyes shine, as indeed his "great soul" does. He is contrasted to Gunther's greed. MCD}}
Iamque diu satis optata fruitur requiete.			Aeineid 4.619: optata luce fruatur. ‘May he enjoy the life he longs for.’		DDSDDS

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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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