Waltharius1237English

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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 son of Alphere made no answer to the king,
But as if deaf turned from him to the other, saying,
“My words are meant for you now, Hagen. Stay a moment!
I ask, what changed my faithful friend so suddenly, 1240
Who, when he was about to leave not long ago,
Seemed scarcely able to be torn from our embrace,
That now, harmed by no crimes, he looks for us with arms?
I hoped, I will confess, of you (but I was wrong),
If you could recognize me coming back from exile, 1245
You would come out at once yourself to greet me, and
Would honor me with hospitality (though I
Demurred), and offer peaceful escort to my homeland;
And I was anxious as to where to bring your presents.
I said, while passing through the unfamiliar regions, 1250
‘If Hagen is alive, I fear none of the Franks.’
Be reasonable, I pray now, by the childhood games
In which we friends passed time and honed our skills, and in
The exercise of which we spent our early years.
Where has the famous harmony between us gone, 1255
Which lasted both in battle and at home, nor knew
Dissent? Indeed, your face made me forget my father.
My spacious homeland palled when I spent time with you.
Are you erasing from your mind the faith you pledged
So often? Stop, I pray, this crime. Do not provoke 1260
A fight. From now on let our pact be undisturbed.
If you agree to this, then you will leave enriched
With gifts, for I will fill your shield with red-gold metal.”
In answer to this statement Hagen spoke these words,
And showed his anger clearly in his grim expression: 1265
“First, Walter, you use force, then turn to sophistry.
For you yourself broke faith, because you saw me there,
And still you killed so many friends and even kinsmen.
You cannot plead you did not know that I was there.
You saw familiar arms (although the face was hidden), 1270
And could identify the man from his equipment.
The rest I might have borne, if this grief were not present;
For you have cut down with the curved blade of your sword
The darling, ruddy, charming, precious, tender flower.
This was the deed by which you first marred our fair contract. 1275
And so I wish no treasure for a settlement.
I wish to learn in arms if you, alone, have courage,
And from your hands seek vengeance for my nephew’s death.
Lo, I will die or else do something memorable!”

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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.