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Walther reveals to Hildegund his plans for escaping with Attila’s treasure (256–286)

The maiden spoke these words from deep within her heart:
“Your wish is mine; for these things only I am burning.
My lord commands, and I stand ready to endure,
For love of him, with my whole heart, success or failure.”
Then Walter whispered this into the maiden’s ear; 260
“Her majesty has made you guardian of goods;
So therefore hear attentively these words of mine:
First steal the helmet and three-layered byrnie of
The king, I mean the corselet which bears the mark
Of smiths; and then obtain two coffers—fairly large, 265
And fill these with so many arm-rings of the Huns
That you can scarcely lift one just up to your breast.
Then make me, in the usual way, four pairs of shoes—
Preparing four for you—and place them in the boxes.
And so the coffers may be filled up to the top. 270
Moreover, secretly ask fish-hooks from the smiths;
For as we travel let our food be fish and fowl;
And I am forced to be both fisherman and fowler.
Do these things one by one—with caution—in a week.
You have heard what is necessary for our journey. 275
And now I will reveal how we can start our flight.
As soon as Phoebus has completed seven circuits,
For both the king and queen (and satraps, captains, servants)
I will prepare at great expense a festive banquet
And try with all my guile to bury them in drink 280
Until there is none who knows what is going on.
But meanwhile you partake of wine in moderation,
And at the table take care just to quench your thirst.
Then, when the rest arise, resume your usual tasks;
But when the power of the drink undoes them all, 285
Let us at once make haste to seek the western parts.”

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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.