Waltharius142English
Walther rejects Attila’s offer of a bride (142–169)
When Walter came, the king unveiled these thoughts to him, | |
Encouraging his marriage; he, however, was | |
Already making plans he later would accomplish. | |
With these words he responded to Attila’s urging: | 145 |
“It is indeed a mark of your own goodness that | |
You should perceive the motive for my modest service; | |
However, never could I have deserved that you | |
Take notice of the sluggish efforts of my mind. | |
I pray that you accept your faithful servant’s words. | |
If, following my lord’s command, I take a wife, | 150 |
I will be bound first by my love and care for the girl | |
And often kept away from service to the king. | |
The need to build a house and supervise my farmland | |
Will hinder me from being present in your sight | |
And giving to the Huns’ realm my accustomed care. | 155 |
Whoever once has tasted pleasure then becomes | |
Accustomed to find hardships unendurable. | |
For nothing is so sweet to me as always being | |
In faithful obedience to my lord. I ask you, therefore, | |
To let me lead my life free of the yoke of marriage. | 160 |
If late or in the dead of night you summon me, | |
I’ll go wherever you command, prepared, unhindered. | |
In battle, no anxieties will urge retreat— | |
Not wife nor children will restrain or make me flee. | |
I beg you, best of fathers, by your very life | 165 |
And still unconquered tribe of the Pannonians, | |
Do not continue to force me to take a wife.” | |
Defeated by these prayers, the king abandoned all | |
His urging, hoping Walter never would take flight. |
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.