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Walther decides to spend the night in the mountains. He rematches the severed heads with the bodies of his victims, prays for their souls, then sleeps (1130–1187)

And Phoebus meanwhile was inclining toward the west 1130
While shedding his last rays on famous Thule, and
He left behind his back the Spaniards with the Irish.
Then, after he had slowly warmed the ocean waves
And Hesperus turned its horns toward the Ausonian lands,
The clever warrior began to ponder whether 1135
He should remain in his safe fortress in the dense
Recess, or risk the open stretch of wilderness.
Great waves of care surged over him as he with keen
Intelligence intently sought a course of action.
For only Hagen was a threat to Walter—and 1140
That kiss the king gave him along with an embrace.
He was in doubt what plan his foe had in his mind:
Did they intend to go back to the town they’d left
And, mustering more soldiers overnight, prepare
To recommence the evil combat in the morning? 1145
Or did they lurk nearby, alone, and plan an ambush?
He feared the forest, with its unknown winding trails,
Perhaps would lead him into places filled with thorns
Or even beasts, and he might lose his bride to them.
When he had weighed and contemplated this, he said: 1150
“Whatever way things may turn out, I will rest here
Until the circling sphere returns its cherished light.
That haughty king will not proclaim that I have left
His borders fleeing like some robber in the dark.”
He spoke, then barricaded up the narrow path 1155
By placing hawthorn and cut brambles all around.
When this was done, he turned back to the trunks and with
A bitter sigh attached the proper head to each.
Then bowing down, his body facing toward the east,
And clenching his bared sword he makes this prayer aloud: 1160
“To the Creator who rules all created things,
Without whose nod or bidding nothing has existence,
I give thanks for defending me from unjust weapons
Hurled by the hostile troop and also from dishonor.
With a repentant mind I pray my kindly Lord 1165
That He who would destroy not sinners but their sins
May grant that I might see these men in Paradise.”
When he had finished praying, he stood up at once;
He gathered six steeds which he bound with twisted withes.
These were the only horses left: two had been killed 1170
By weapons, and King Gunther led three more away.
With these things thus attended to, he loosed his belt
And freed his steaming body of the massive weight.
While he consoled his sad betrothed with pleasant talk,
And took some food, he soon refreshed his aching limbs. 1175
Reclining on his shield, for he was very tired,
He told the girl to stand guard at the first night-watch,
For he was planning to assume the morning watch,
Which was more dangerous; and then at last he rested.
She sat, as was her custom, by his head, and watched, 1180
And by her singing kept her drowsy eyes alert.
But when the man, awaking, cut the first sleep short,
He rose up right away and told the girl to sleep.
Once he had grasped his spear, he leaned on it unwearied,
And thus spent the remaining night. Now checking on 1185
The steeds, now going to the barricade, he listened,
Awaiting the orb and light to be returned to earth.

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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.