Waltharius513

Gunther and his companions approach Walther’s camp; Hagen unsuccessfully tries to dissuade the king from attacking it (513–531)

Ast ubi Guntharius vestigia pulvere vidit,			Georgics 3.171: summo vestigia pulvere signent. ‘Let them print their tracks on the surface of the dust.’ Statius, Thebaid 6.640: raraque non fracto vestigia pulvere pendent. ‘The rare footsteps hover and leave the dust unbroken.’		DDSDDS
Cornipedem rapidum saevis calcaribus urget,			Prudentius, Psychomachia 253-254.: talia vociferans rapidum calcaribus urget/ cornipedem. ‘Thus exclaiming she spurs on her swift charger and flies wildling along with loose rein.’ Statius, Thebaid 11.452-453.: saevis calcaribus urgent/ immeritos. ‘With savage goads they incite their innocent teams.’		DDSSDS	Cornipedem: horse (literally, horn-foot). The hoof was considered to be made of horn similar to the material of an antler. Cato and Virgil both use the word of hooves; interestingly, in was also applied to birds' beaks, warts, and even, according to Pliny, skin over the eye. MCD
Exultansque animis frustra sic fatur ad auras:	515		Aeineid 2.386: exultans animisque. . . ‘Flushed with courage. . .’ 11.491: exsultateque animis. ‘He exults in courage.’ 11.556: ita ad aethera fatur. ‘He cries thus to the heavens.’		SDSSDS Elision: exultansque animis	frustra: "in vain." Emphasizes Gunther's vainglory again. MCD
Accelerate, viri, iam nunc capietis euntem,					DDSDDS
Numquam hodie effugiet, furata talenta relinquet.'		Furata: passive in sense, though from a deponent.	Eclogue 3.49: numquam hodie effugies. ‘This time you won’t get away!’		DDSDDS Elision: H-ELISION: numquam hodie; hodie effugit	Gunther combines Walther with the Huns in his mind to justify his unprovoked attack, imagining Walther the agent of the "theft" of treaty-money from the Franks. An alternative explanation is that he actually blames Walther for stealing from his lord (Atilla, in this case) and so feels no compunction about taking back what was his. This implies a level of loyalty to Germanic oaths which he has not previously displayed, however. MCD
Inclitus at Hagano contra mox reddidit ista:					DDSSDS
Unum dico tibi, regum fortissime, tantum:					SDSSDS
Si totiens tu Waltharium pugnasse videres	520	Videres equiv. to vidisses			DSDSDS
Atque nova totiens, quotiens ego, caede furentem,			Aeineid 2.499-500.: vidi ipse furentem/ caede Neoptolemum. ‘I myself saw Neoptolemus, mad with slaughter.’ 8.695: arva nova Neptunia caede rubescunt. Neptune’s fields redden with strange slaughter.’ 10.514-515.: te, Turne, superbum/ caede nova. . . ‘You, Turnus, still flushed with fresh slaughter. . .’		DDDDDS
Numquam tam facile spoliandum forte putares.					SDDSDS	The Hunnish battle early in the poem, before Walther speaks with Hildegund about escape, places the reader or listener's sympathies firmly with Hagan, since we too have "seen" Walther fight. MCD
Vidi Pannonias acies, cum bella cierent			Aeineid 1.541: bella cient. ‘They stir up wars.’ Statius, Thebaid 11.487: cum bella cieret. . . ‘When he made war. . .’		SDDSDS
Contra Aquilonares sive Australes regiones:		Aquilonares equiv. to Aquilonias			DSSSDS Elision: contra Aquilonares; sive Australes	Since the beginning of the poem is spent establishing that all of western Europe fears the Huns, Hagan's assertion that he is greater than them carries considerable weight. MCD
Illic Waltharius propria virtute coruscus	525				SDDSDS	"coruscus": see note to l. 453. The poet uses images of light once again; this time it is Walther's manliness which shines for the whole world. The exact repetition of the adjective "coruscus" from the ferryman's description also calls back to mind the image of the perfect warrior which Gunther has conveniently forgotten in order to convince his men that Walther is "imbellus" (see l. 486). MCD
Hostibus invisus, sociis mirandus obibat:			Aeineid 6.167: lituo pugnas insignis obibat et hasta. ‘He braved the fray, glorious for clarion and spear alike.’		DSDSDS
Quisquis ei congressus erat, mox Tartara vidit.			Aeineid 6.134-135.: bis nigra videre/ Tartara. . . ‘Twice to see black Tartarus. . .’		DSDSDS	The Waltharius-poet uses a Virgilian formula here, which may be significant in the effort to place the poem's religious loyalties. Though little is known specifically of continental Germanic paganism, it is generally assumed to bear some similarity to Scandinavian cults, since related tribes colonized the areas during the period of migration following the Fall of Rome. According to what is known of Scandinavian beliefs, a warrior who fell in battle might hope that his soul would fly to Valhalla, a feasting hall in the realm of the gods, where great warriors awaited the final battle, Ragnarok, at the end of the world. Those who died of sickness or accident traveled instead to Hel, in an underworld which resembles Roman Tartarus or Christian Hell much more closely than Valhalla. A warrior who died in battle with Walther, according to such a belief system, was much more fortunate than one who died safe in his bed. There is little trace of such an ethos in Hagan's warning, however; he treats death as a fate to be avoided. In this sense, Gunther's mockery of Hagan's caution perhaps is justified in terms of Germanic religion; that Gunther's world-view is clearly denigrated, however, suggests that the Waltharius-poet wishes to associate all death with the darkness of Hel, stripping it of any (pagan) glory. For a further discussion of Germanic religion, see Rudolf Simek's chapter in Early Germanic Literature and Culture,ed. Brian Murdoch and Malcolm Read (2004).
O rex et comites, experto credite, quantus			: Aeineid 11.283-284.: experto credite quantus/ in clipeum adsurgat, quo turbine torqueat hastam. ‘Trust one who has experienced it, how huge he looms above his shield, with what whirlwind he hurls his spear.’		SDSSDS	"comites": Hagan remembers his fellow warriors and vassals to Gunther. Together, they form a comitatus, a war-band with cohesion and standards of loyalty which also bind Hagan. A betrayal of Gunther for Hagan would also amount to a betrayal of his companions. Hagan's later attempt to abdicate the situation, though perhaps intended to avoid breaking either oath, still leaves them without his protection. Appealing to them, too, is another way to appeal to Gunther, though such an appeal might dangerously undermine his loyalty. MCD
In clipeum surgat, quo turbine torqueat hastam.'			: Aeineid 11.283-284.: experto credite quantus/ in clipeum adsurgat, quo turbine torqueat hastam. ‘Trust one who has experienced it, how huge he looms above his shield, with what whirlwind he hurls his spear.’		DSSDDS	The poet's use of parallel structure emphasizes Walther's great skill as a balanced warrior: he has no weaknesses. MCD
Sed dum Guntharius male sana mente gravatus	530		Aeineid 4.8: male sana. . . ‘Much distraught. . .’		SDDSDS	Gunther is "weighed down with an unhealthy mind." The poet is probably not suggesting that Gunther is insane, but he certainly does behave irrationally and obsessively with regard to Walther and the treasure he carries, sacrificing all his best men in the attempt to defeat him. Avarice itself, in the poet's mind, might be a kind of insanity. This is connected to the Platonic idea that the man ruled by his passions is a slave, devoid of true power, excluded from the "kingship" of rationality, which would probably have been familiar to the Waltharius-poet through Boethius. MCD
Nequaquam flecti posset, castris propriabant.		Propiabant equiv. to appropinquabant			SSSSDS

---

« previous

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)

next »

English