Waltharius1130English

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)

And Phoebus meanwhile was inclining toward the west	1130
While shedding his last rays on famous Thule, and
He left behind his back the Spaniards with the Irish.
Then, after he had slowly warmed the ocean waves
And Hesperus turned its horns toward the Ausonian lands,
The clever warrior began to ponder whether	1135
He should remain in his safe fortress in the dense
Recess, or risk the open stretch of wilderness.
Great waves of care surged over him as he with keen
Intelligence intently sought a course of action.
For only Hagen was a threat to Walter—and	1140
That kiss the king gave him along with an embrace.
He was in doubt what plan his foe had in his mind:
Did they intend to go back to the town they’d left
And, mustering more soldiers overnight, prepare
To recommence the evil combat in the morning?	1145
Or did they lurk nearby, alone, and plan an ambush?
He feared the forest, with its unknown winding trails,
Perhaps would lead him into places filled with thorns
Or even beasts, and he might lose his bride to them.
When he had weighed and contemplated this, he said:	1150
“Whatever way things may turn out, I will rest here
Until the circling sphere returns its cherished light.
That haughty king will not proclaim that I have left
His borders fleeing like some robber in the dark.”
He spoke, then barricaded up the narrow path	1155
By placing hawthorn and cut brambles all around.
When this was done, he turned back to the trunks and with
A bitter sigh attached the proper head to each.
Then bowing down, his body facing toward the east,
And clenching his bared sword he makes this prayer aloud:	1160
“To the Creator who rules all created things,
Without whose nod or bidding nothing has existence,
I give thanks for defending me from unjust weapons
Hurled by the hostile troop and also from dishonor.
With a repentant mind I pray my kindly Lord	1165
That He who would destroy not sinners but their sins
May grant that I might see these men in Paradise.”
When he had finished praying, he stood up at once;
He gathered six steeds which he bound with twisted withes.
These were the only horses left: two had been killed	1170
By weapons, and King Gunther led three more away.
With these things thus attended to, he loosed his belt
And freed his steaming body of the massive weight.
While he consoled his sad betrothed with pleasant talk,
And took some food, he soon refreshed his aching limbs.	1175
Reclining on his shield, for he was very tired,
He told the girl to stand guard at the first night-watch,
For he was planning to assume the morning watch,
Which was more dangerous; and then at last he rested.
She sat, as was her custom, by his head, and watched,	1180
And by her singing kept her drowsy eyes alert.
But when the man, awaking, cut the first sleep short,
He rose up right away and told the girl to sleep.
Once he had grasped his spear, he leaned on it unwearied,
And thus spent the remaining night. Now checking on	1185
The steeds, now going to the barricade, he listened,
Awaiting the orb and light to be returned to earth.

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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.