Waltharius686English

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2nd single combat: Walther slays Kimo/Scaramund, Camalo’s nephew (686–719)

And when by chance the nephew of that Gamalo
Saw this (he was the son of that man’s brother Kimo,
Who some say was known by the name of Scaramund)
He groaned and, sorrowing, called out in tears to all,
“Alas! These troubles fall on me above all others! 690
Let me avenge my dear friend’s death or die myself.”
So narrow was the place that it forced single combat,
Nor could another offer help to anyone.
About to die, the luckless Scaramund advances
While shaking in his hand two spears tipped with broad iron. 695
But when he saw that Walter, utterly unmoved
By any fear, was standing firmly in his place,
He gnashed his teeth and shook his horsehair crest and cried,
“In what do you place confidence? What is your hope?
Now I do not seek gold or anything you have; 700
But I demand a life for that of my slain kinsman.”
Then he: “If I am shown that I was first to start
The fight, or can be proved to suffer as I have
Deserved, without delay may your spear pierce through me.”
He had not finished speaking when, look, Scaramund 705
Hurled one of his two spears at him and then at once
The other one. The celebrated hero dodged
The first of these; he shook the second from his shield.
Then Scaramund unsheathed the blade of his sharp sword
And rushed the youth, his wish to split the other’s skull, 710
But carried close to him on his unbridled horse
Could not inflict the blow he aimed at Walter’s head
But struck the helmet’s boss; and this, resounding, rang
And also sent forth fiery sparks into the sky.
But he could not make his proud charger wheel about 715
Before a thrust from Walter’s spear caught him beneath
The chin and raised him, dying, from his lofty saddle;
Then Walter, with the suppliant’s own sword, cut off
His head, and once more caused familial blood to flow.

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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.