Waltharius436English

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)

As soon as dawn had driven back the shades of night,
The ferry-man arose, went to the forenamed city
And gave the royal cook, the master of all others
The fishes that the traveler had just given him.
The cook, when he had seasoned them with herbs, then served	440
Them to King Gunther who, amazed, said from his throne,
“Now fish of this sort France has never offered me!
I think that they have come from foreign parts. Tell me
At once: the man who brought them, where did he come from?”
The cook said that the ferry-man had given them.	445
The king commanded that the man be brought to him;
He, when he came and then was asked about the matter,
Gave this reply, and told the story all in sequence.
“Last evening, on the Rhine’s bank, I was sitting down.
I saw a traveler approaching in great haste,	450
Equipped from head to foot as though expecting battle.
He was, distinguished king, completely clad in bronze
And as he walked he held a shield and gleaming spear.
He seemed a man of strength, for even though he bore
A heavy load, he still maintained a rapid pace.	455
A girl adorned with stunning radiance of beauty
Was following the man, and matched him stride for stride;
And by the reins the maiden led a mighty stallion
That bore indeed upon its back two quite large coffers
Which, when the stallion shook its lofty mane and wished	460
To rear up high and paw with haughty legs, gave forth
A sound as if someone were striking gold with gem-stones.
This was the man who gave to me those fish as payment.”
When Hagen, who sat at the table, heard these words,
With joyful heart he broke into the conversation,	465
“Rejoice with me, I ask, that I have heard this news!
For my companion Walter is back from the Huns.”
From this account Prince Gunther, in his haughtiness,
Exclaimed, and all the hall at once applauded him:
“That I lived to see this, rejoice with me, I ask!	470
The treasure which Gibicho sent the Eastern king
Now God Almighty has sent back into my realm!”
He spoke, kicked back the table, leaping up, and had
Them bring his horse and dress it with a carven saddle.
From all his troop he chose, including him, twelve men,	475
Distinguished for their strength, their courage often proved;
And he told Hagen he must go among these men.
He, mindful of his former pledge and his old friend,
Attempts to sway his lord from what he has begun.
The king, however, nonetheless stands firm and says	480
“Do not delay, my men! Gird your strong bodies with
A sword; now let a scaly corselet guard your backs!
Shall he remove from Frankish lands so great a treasure?”
Equipped with weapons (as the king’s command required),
They left the gates in eagerness to see you, Walter,	485
And thinking they would cheat a weakling of his wealth.
Though Hagen strives in every way to hinder him,
The ill-starred king will not give up his undertaking.

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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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Latin

Note: this English text is identical to that found in Waltharius and Ruodlieb, edited and translated by Dennis M. Kratz. The Garland library of medieval literature, Series A, vol. 14. New York: Garland Pub., 1984.