Waltharius170

Walther leads the army of the Huns to victory in battle (170–214)

Venerat interea satrapae certissima fama	170	Satrapae equiv. to Attilae			DDDSDS
Quandam, quae nuper superata, resistere gentem		Quandam…gentem: since the sudden rebellion is merely a crude plot device, the precise identity of the people is unimportant.			SSDDDS
bellum Hunis confestim inferre paratam.					SSSSDS Elision: confestim inferre Hiatus: bellum Hunis
Tunc ad Waltharium convertitur actio rerum.		Action rerum: “the leadership of the expedition”			SDSDDS
Qui mox militiam percensuit ordine totam					SDSDDS
Et bellatorum confortat corda suorum,	175	Confortat equiv. to confirmat	Liber Regum II 11.25: conforta bellatores. ‘Encourage thy warriors.’ Liber Genesis 18.5: confortate cor vestrum. ‘Strengthen ye your heart.’		SSSSDS
Hortans praeteritos semper memorare triumphos					SDSDDS
Promittensque istos solita virtute tyrannos		Tyrannos equiv. to rebelles (here)	Prudentius, Psychomachia 155-156.: ‘vicimus,’ inquit,/ ‘exultans Vitium solita virtute.’ ‘ “We have overcome,” he said, “a proud Vice with our wonted virtue.” ’ Aeneid 11.415: quamquam o si solitae quicquam virtutis adesset! ‘If only we had any of our wonted valour!’		SSDSDS Elision: promittensque istos
Sternere et externis terrorem imponere terris.					DSSSDS Elision: sternere et; terrorem imponere
Nec mora, consurgit sequiturque exercitus omnis.			Aeneid 11.597-598.: At manus interea muris Troiana propinquat,/ Etruscique duces equitumque exercitus omnis/ compositi numero in turmas. ‘But meanwhile the Trojan band draws near the walls, with the Etruscan chiefs and all their mounted array, marshalled by number into squadrons.’ Liber Iosue 8.3: surrexit Iosue et omnis exercitus bellatorum cum eo. ‘And Josue arose, and all the army of the fighting men with him.’ Aeineid 2.415: exercitus omnis. . . ‘The whole host. . .’		DSDSDS Elision: sequiturque exercitus
Ecce locum pugnae conspexerat et numeratam	180	The description of the battle that follows reworks a scene from the Aeneid (11.597 ff.) while attempting some limited level of verisimilitude in its depiction of medieval warfare. The warriors fight on horseback (a practice adopted by the Franks in Carolingian times), first with arrows and javelins from afar (the practice of the Hungarian Avars), and then in hand-to-hand combat with swords (not found in the scene from the Aeneid).	Aeneid 11.597-598.: At manus interea muris Troiana propinquat,/ Etruscique duces equitumque exercitus omnis/ compositi numero in turmas. ‘But meanwhile the Trojan band draws near the walls, with the Etruscan chiefs and all their mounted array, marshalled by number into squadrons.’ Aeneid 11.599: compositi numero in turmas. . . ‘Marshalled by number into squadrons. . .’		DSSDDS
Per latos aciem campos digessit et agros.			Aeneid 11.599: compositi numero in turmas. . . ‘Marshalled by number into squadrons. . .’ Aeneid 10.407-408.: extenditur una/ horrida per latos acies Volcania campos. ‘Vulcan’s bristling battleline spreads unbroken over the broad fields.’ 11.601-602.: tum late ferreus hastis/ horret ager campique armis sublimibus ardent. ‘Far and wide the field bristles with the steel of spears, and the plains are ablaze with raised weapons.’		SDSSDS
Iamque infra iactum teli congressus uterque			Aeneid 11.608-609.: iamque intra iactum teli progressus uterque/ substiterat: subito erumpunt clamore. ‘And now in its advance each army had halted within a spear cast of the other; with a sudden shout they dash forth.’		SSSSDS Elision: iamque in
Constiterat cuneus: tunc undique clamor ad auras			Aeneid 11.608-609.: iamque intra iactum teli progressus uterque/ substiterat: subito erumpunt clamore. ‘And now in its advance each army had halted within a spear cast of the other; with a sudden shout they dash forth.’ Aeneid 9.566-567. undique clamor/ tollitur. ‘On all sides a shout goes up.’ 2.699: se tollit ad auras. ‘He raises himself to the airs.’		DDSDDS
Tollitur, horrendam confundunt classica vocem,			Aeneid 9.566-567. undique clamor/ tollitur. ‘On all sides a shout goes up.’ 2.699: se tollit ad auras. ‘He raises himself to the airs.’ Aeneid 7.637: classica iamque sonant. ‘And now the clarion sounds.’ 9.731-732.: arma/ horrendum sonuere. ‘His armour rang terribly.’		DSSSDS
Continuoque hastae volitant hinc indeque densae.	185		Aeneid 11.612-613.: continuo. . . ‘At once. . .’ 11.610-611.: fundunt simul undique tela/ crebra nivis ritu. ‘Together from all sides they shower weapons as thick as snowflakes.’ 12.408-409.: spicula castris/ densa cadunt mediis. ‘Shafts fall thick in the middle of the camp.’ Georgics 2.142: galeis densisque virum seges horruit hastis. ‘The fields bristled with the helms and serried lances of warriors.’		DSDSDS Elision: H-ELISION: continuoque hastae
Fraxinus et cornus ludum miscebat in unum,		Fraxinus et cornus: by metonymy, the wooden spears.	Aeneid 9.698: volat Itala cornus. ‘The Italian cornel shaft flies.’ 12.267: sonitum dat stridula cornus. ‘The whistling cornel shaft sings.’ 12.714: fors et virtus miscentur in unum. ‘Chance and valour blend in one.’		DSSSDS
Fulminis inque modum cuspis vibrata micabat.		In modum equiv. to instar	Aeneid 11.615-616.: excussus Aconteus/ fulminis in morem. . .praecipitat longe. ‘Flung off like a thunderbolt, Aconteus is hurled headlong far away.’		DDSSDS
Ac veluti boreae sub tempore nix glomerata					DDSDDS
Spargitur, haud aliter saevas iecere sagittas.					DDSSDS
Postremum cunctis utroque ex agmine pilis	190				SSSSDS Elision: utroque ex
Absumptis manus ad mucronem vertitur omnis:			Prudentius Psychomachia 137: vertitur ad capulum manus. ‘Her ruthless hand turned to her sword-hilt.’		SDSSDS
Fulmineos promunt enses clipeosque revolvunt,		Clipeosque revolvunt: variously explained. The warriors are either throwing back their shields or taking them up again having already done so, in preparation for combat (cf. restaurant in the following line).	Aeneid 4.579-580.: vaginaque eripit ensem/ fulmineum. ‘He snatches his flashing sword from its sheath.’ 9.441-442.: instat non setius ac rotat ensem/ fulmineum. ‘Onward none the less he presses, whirling his lightning blade.’		DSSDDS
Concurrunt acies demum pugnamque restaurant.			Aeneid 11.612-613.: adversis Tyrrhenus et acer Aconteus/ conixi incurrunt hastis primique ruinam/ dant sonitu ingenti perfractaque quadripedantum/ pectora pectoribus rumpunt; excussus Aconteus fulminis in morem. . .praecipitat longe. ‘At once Tyrrhenus and fierce Aconteus charge each other full force with spears, and are first to go down with a mighty crash, breaking and shattering their horses as they collide breast to breast. Flung off like a thunderbolt, Aconteus is hurled headlong far away.’ 10.360-361.: aciesque Latinae/ concurrunt. ‘The ranks of Latium clash.’		SDSSDS
Pectoribus partim rumpuntur pectora equorum,		The thought of this line parallels that of the next: some of both the horses and the men were killed merely by being crushed against one another while armed in the stampede of battle.	Aeneid 11.612-613.: adversis Tyrrhenus et acer Aconteus/ conixi incurrunt hastis primique ruinam/ dant sonitu ingenti perfractaque quadripedantum/ pectora pectoribus rumpunt; excussus Aconteus fulminis in morem. . .praecipitat longe. ‘At once Tyrrhenus and fierce Aconteus charge each other full force with spears, and are first to go down with a mighty crash, breaking and shattering their horses as they collide breast to breast. Flung off like a thunderbolt, Aconteus is hurled headlong far away.’ 10.360-361.: aciesque Latinae/ concurrunt. ‘The ranks of Latium clash.’		DSSSDS Elision: pectora equorum
Sternitur et quaedam pars duro umbone virorum.	195		Prudentius, Psychomachia 255-256.: hostem humilem cupiens inpulsu umbonis equini/ sternere. . . ‘Eager to upset her lowly enemy with the shock of her horse-hide shield. . .’		DSSSDS Elision: duro umbone
Waltharius tamen in medio furit agmine bello,			Aeineid 11.762: qua se cumque furens medio tulit agmine virgo. . . ‘Wherever the maiden rides among the ranks in her fury. . .’		DDDDDS
Obvia quaeque metens armis ac limite pergens.			Aeineid 11.762: qua se cumque furens medio tulit agmine virgo. . . ‘Wherever the maiden rides among the ranks in her fury. . .’ Aeneid 10.513-514.: proxima quaeque metit gladio latumque per agmen/ ardens limitem agit ferro. . . ‘With the sword he mows down all the nearest ranks, and fiercely drives a broad path through the host with the steel. . .’		DDSSDS
Hunc ubi conspiciunt hostes tantas dare strages,			Aeneid 9.783-784.: unus homo et vestris, o cives, undique saeptus/ aggeribus tantas strages. . .ediderit? ‘My countrymen, shall one man, hemmed in on every side by your ramparts, deal such carnage?’ Georgics 3.246-247.: nec funera vulgo/ tam multa informes ursi stragemque dedere. ‘Never does the shapeless bear spread death and havoc so widely.’		DDSSDS
Ac si praesentem metuebant cernere mortem,		Ac si: qualifying praesentem, not beginning a clause.	Aeneid 1.91: praesentemque viris intentant omnia mortem. ‘All forebodes the sailors’ instant death.’		SSDSDS
Et quemcunque locum, seu dextram sive sinistram,	200		Aeneid 3.563: laevam cuncta cohors. . .petivit. ‘Leftward all our force plied.’		SDSSDS
Waltharius peteret, cuncti mox terga dederunt			Aeneid 3.563: laevam cuncta cohors. . .petivit. ‘Leftward all our force plied.’ Aeneid 9.686: agminibus totis qut versi terga dedere. ‘With all their columns [they] are routed and turn to flight.’		DDSSDS
Et versis scutis laxisque feruntur habenis.		Versis scutis: they put their shields on their backs to protect them as they flee.	Aeneid 9.686: agminibus totis qut versi terga dedere. ‘With all their columns [they] are routed and turn to flight.’ Aeneid 11.618-619.: versique Latini/ reiciunt parmas. ‘The routed Latins cast their shields behind them.’ 11.623: hi fugiunt penitusque datis referuntur habenis ‘The others flee, and retreat far off with loosened rein.’ Georgics 2.364: palmes agit laxis per purum immisus habenis. . . ‘The shoot, speeding through the void with loosened reins. . .’ Aeneid 1.62-63.: qui foedere certo/ et premere et laxas sciret dare iussus habenas. ‘Who, under fixed covenant, should be skilled to tighten and loosen the reins at command.’		SSSDDS
Tunc imitata ducem gens maxima Pannoniarum			Aeneid 11.758-759.: ducis exemplum eventumque secuti/ Maeonidae incurrunt. ‘Following their chief’s example and success, Maeonia’s sons attack.’		DDSDDS
Saevior insurgit caedemque audacior auget,			Aeneid 12.902: altior insurgens. . . ‘Rising to his height. . .’ Prudentius, Psychomachia 31: altior insurgens.		DSSSDS Elision: caedemque audacior
Deicit obstantes, fugientes proterit usque,	205		Prudentius, Psychomachia Praefatio 28: pellit fugatos, sauciatos proterit. ‘[He] drives off in flight those proud kings. . .or cuts them down.’		DSDSDS
Dum caperet plenum belli sub sorte triumphum.		Belli sub sorte: “in the outcome of the battle”	Prudentius, Psychomachia 474: belli sub sorte. . . ‘By the luck of war. . .’		DSSSDS
Tum super occisos ruit et spoliaverat omnes.					DSDDDS
Et tandem ductor recavo vocat agmina cornu			Aeineid 7.513-514.: cornuque recurvo/ Tartaream intendit vocem. ‘On the twisted horn [she] strains her hellish voice.’ 3.239: dat signum specula Misenus ab alta/ aere cavo. ‘Misenus on his hollow brass gave the signal from his watch aloft.’ Prudentius, Psychomachia 422: recavo misceret labra palato. ‘[She] beats the lips into the arched mouth.’ Aeneid 7.508: vocat agmina Tyrrhus. ‘Tyrrhus summons his bands.’		SSDDDS
Ac primus frontem festa cum fronde revinxit,			Aeneid 5.71-72.: ‘. . .cingite tempora ramis.’/ Sic fatus velat materna tempora myrto./ hoc Helymus facit, hoc aevi maturus Acestes/ hoc puer Ascanius, sequitur quos cetera pubes. ‘ “. . .Weathe your brows with leaves.” So speaking, he crowns his brows with his mother’s myrtle. Thus does Helymus, thus Acestes, ripe of years, thus the boy Ascanius, the rest of the youth following.’ 7.614: sequitur tum cetera pubes. ‘Then the rest of the warriors take up the cry.’ 4.459: velleribus niveis et festa fronde revinctum. . . ‘Wreathing it with snowy fleeces and festal foliage. . .’		SSSSDS
Victrici lauro cingens sua timpora vulgo,	210	Timpora equiv. to tempora	Aeneid 5.71-72.: ‘. . .cingite tempora ramis.’/ Sic fatus velat materna tempora myrto./ hoc Helymus facit, hoc aevi maturus Acestes/ hoc puer Ascanius, sequitur quos cetera pubes. ‘ “. . .Weathe your brows with leaves.” So speaking, he crowns his brows with his mother’s myrtle. Thus does Helymus, thus Acestes, ripe of years, thus the boy Ascanius, the rest of the youth following.’ 7.614: sequitur tum cetera pubes. ‘Then the rest of the warriors take up the cry.’ 4.459: velleribus niveis et festa fronde revinctum. . . ‘Wreathing it with snowy fleeces and festal foliage. . .’ Aeneid 5.539: cingit viridanti tempora lauro. ‘He binds his brows with green laurel.’ Virgil, Eclogue 8.12-13.: hanc sine tempora circum/ inter victricis hederam tibi serpere lauros. ‘Grant that, amid the conqueror’s laurels, this ivy may creep about your brows.’		SSSDDS	The laurels mentioned here are likely a Classical reference, rather than a literal reward. The bay laurel, from which laurel wreaths are typically made, is a Mediterranean plant, and it would have a hard time surviving in most of modern-day Germany. Even then, the plant (or its leaves) would have had to be imported. Since it is unlikely that the laurels would have been practical, this is likely just another example of the Waltharius poet drawing on Classical tropes. -AE
Post hunc signiferi, sequitur quos cetera pubes.					SDDSDS
Iamque triumphali redierunt stemmate compti					DSDSDS
Et patriam ingressi propria se quisque locavit					DSDSDS Elision: patriam ingressi
Sede, sed ad solium mox Waltharius properavit.					DDSDDS	In his Germania, Tacitus wrote that Germanic towns and dwellings were famously spread out (Chapter 16). Of course, Walther and these soldiers supposedly live three centuries later, and the soldiers are Huns, not Germans, but the way the men scatter here seems reminiscent of that passage. If so, this is an example of the poet giving characteristically German traits to Attila and his people. -AE

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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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