Waltharius941English

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Gunther again encourages his men, giving Walther some time to rest (941–961)

The Franks now for the first time started to hold back,
And they beseeched their lord, with heartfelt prayers, to end
The fight. Enraged, that wretched blinded man proclaims:
“Brave men and often tested hearts, I ask that this
Misfortune not cause fear in anyone, but anger. 945
If thus, thus shamed I leave the Vosges—what of me?
Let each adopt my attitude. I am prepared
To die before I enter Worms on such conditions.
Shall he, the victor, reach his home with no blood shed?
Up to this point you burned to strip the man of treasures. 950
Now, men, burn to avenge the blood that has been spilled,
So that death may atone for death, and blood for blood,
The killer’s death console us for the loss of comrades!”
The madman with these words inflamed them all, and made
Them all forgetful of their lives, as well as safety. 955
Just as in games, each strived to best another in
The race to Death. However, as I said before,
The path compelled two men—no more—to meet in battle.
The famous man, when he saw they were hesitating,
Took his plumed helmet off and hung it on a tree, 960
Then caught his breath and, gasping, wiped away the sweat.

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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.