View source for Waltharius170

===Walther leads the army of the Huns to victory in battle (170–214)===
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|[[Venerat]] [[interea1|interea]] [[satrapae]] [[certissima]] [[fama]]
|170
|{{Commentary|''Satrapae'' equiv. to ''Attilae''
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|[[Quandam]], [[quae4|quae]] [[nuper]] [[superata]], [[resistere]] [[gentem]]
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|{{Commentary|''Quandam…gentem'': since the sudden rebellion is merely a crude plot device, the precise identity of the people is unimportant.
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|[[bellum]] [[Hunis1|Hunis]] [[confestim]] [[inferre]] [[paratam]].
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|[[Tunc]] [[ad]] [[Waltharium]] [[convertitur]] [[actio]] [[rerum]].
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|{{Commentary|''Action rerum'': “the leadership of the expedition”
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|[[qui3|Qui]] [[mox]] [[militiam]] [[percensuit]] [[ordine]] [[totam]]
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|[[Et]] [[bellatorum]] [[confortat]] [[corda]] [[suorum]],
|175
|{{Commentary|''Confortat'' equiv. to ''confirmat''
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|{{Parallel|''Liber Regum II'' 11.25: ''conforta bellatores.'' ‘Encourage thy warriors.’ ''Liber Genesis'' 18.5: ''confortate cor vestrum.'' ‘Strengthen ye your heart.’ 
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|[[Hortans]] [[praeteritos]] [[semper]] [[memorare]] [[triumphos]]
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|[[Promittensque]] [[istos]] [[solita]] [[virtute]] [[tyrannos]]
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|{{Commentary|''Tyrannos'' equiv. to ''rebelles'' (here)
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|{{Parallel|Prudentius, ''Psychomachia'' 155-156.: '' ‘vicimus,’ inquit,/ ‘exultans Vitium solita virtute.’ '' ‘ “We have overcome,” he said, “a proud Vice with our wonted virtue.” ’ ''Aeneid'' 11.415: ''quamquam o si solitae quicquam virtutis adesset! '' ‘If only we had any of our wonted valour!’''  ''
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|{{Meter|scansion=SSDSDS|elision=promittensque istos}}
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|[[Sternere]] [[et]] [[externis]] [[terrorem]] [[imponere]] [[terris]].
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|{{Meter|scansion=DSSSDS|elision=sternere et; terrorem imponere}}
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|[[Nec]] [[mora]], [[consurgit]] [[sequiturque]] [[exercitus]] [[omnis1|omnis]].
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 11.597-598.: ''At manus interea muris Troiana propinquat,/ Etruscique duces equitumque exercitus omnis/ compositi numero in turmas''. ‘But meanwhile the Trojan band draws near the walls, with the Etruscan chiefs and all their mounted array, marshalled by number into squadrons.’ 
<br />''Liber Iosue'' 8.3: ''surrexit Iosue et omnis exercitus bellatorum cum eo''. ‘And Josue arose, and all the army of the fighting men with him.’  ''Aeineid'' 2.415: ''exercitus omnis. . .'' ‘The whole host. . .’
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|{{Meter|scansion=DSDSDS|elision=sequiturque exercitus}}
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|[[Ecce]] [[locum]] [[pugnae]] [[conspexerat]] [[et]] [[numeratam]]
|180
|{{Commentary|The description of the battle that follows reworks a scene from the ''Aeneid'' (11.597 ff.) while attempting some limited level of verisimilitude in its depiction of medieval warfare. The warriors fight on horseback (a practice adopted by the Franks in Carolingian times), first with arrows and javelins from afar (the practice of the Hungarian Avars), and then in hand-to-hand combat with swords (not found in the scene from the ''Aeneid'').
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 11.597-598.: ''At manus interea muris Troiana propinquat,/ Etruscique duces equitumque exercitus omnis/ compositi numero in turmas''. ‘But meanwhile the Trojan band draws near the walls, with the Etruscan chiefs and all their mounted array, marshalled by number into squadrons.’ 
<br />''Aeneid'' 11.599: ''compositi numero in turmas''. . . ‘Marshalled by number into squadrons. . .’
}}
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|[[Per]] [[latos]] [[aciem]] [[campos]] [[digessit]] [[et]] [[agros]].
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 11.599: ''compositi numero in turmas''. . . ‘Marshalled by number into squadrons. . .’
<br />''Aeneid'' 10.407-408.: ''extenditur una/ horrida per latos acies Volcania campos''. ‘Vulcan’s bristling battleline spreads unbroken over the broad fields.’ 11.601-602.: ''tum late ferreus hastis/ horret ager campique armis sublimibus ardent.'' ‘Far and wide the field bristles with the steel of spears, and the plains are ablaze with raised weapons.’
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|[[Iamque]] [[infra]] [[iactum]] [[teli]] [[congressus]] [[uterque]]
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 11.608-609.: ''iamque intra iactum teli progressus uterque/ substiterat: subito erumpunt clamore.'' ‘And now in its advance each army had halted within a spear cast of the other; with a sudden shout they dash forth.’
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|{{Pictures|<gallery widths="180px" heights="120px" perrow="2">
File:Waltharius-Lines-182–206.png
File:Waltharius-Lines-182–206_1.png
File:Waltharius-Lines-182–206_2.png
</gallery>}}
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|[[Constiterat]] [[cuneus]]: [[tunc]] [[undique]] [[clamor]] [[ad]] [[auras]]
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 11.608-609.: ''iamque intra iactum teli progressus uterque/ substiterat: subito erumpunt clamore.'' ‘And now in its advance each army had halted within a spear cast of the other; with a sudden shout they dash forth.’
<br />''Aeneid'' 9.566-567. ''undique clamor/ tollitur''. ‘On all sides a shout goes up.’ 2.699: ''se tollit ad auras. '' ‘He raises himself to the airs.’
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|[[Tollitur]], [[horrendam]] [[confundunt]] [[classica]] [[vocem]],
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 9.566-567. ''undique clamor/ tollitur''. ‘On all sides a shout goes up.’ 2.699: ''se tollit ad auras. '' ‘He raises himself to the airs.’
<br />''Aeneid'' 7.637: ''classica iamque sonant''. ‘And now the clarion sounds.’ 9.731-732.: ''arma/ horrendum sonuere.'' ‘His armour rang terribly.’
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|[[Continuoque]] [[hastae]] [[volitant]] [[hinc]] [[indeque1|indeque]] [[densae]].
|185
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 11.612-613.: ''continuo''. . . ‘At once. . .’ 11.610-611.: ''fundunt simul undique tela/ crebra nivis ritu''. ‘Together from all sides they shower weapons as thick as snowflakes.’ 12.408-409.: ''spicula castris/ densa cadunt mediis''. ‘Shafts fall thick in the middle of the camp.’ ''Georgics'' 2.142: ''galeis densisque virum seges horruit hastis''. ‘The fields bristled with the helms and serried lances of warriors.’
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|{{Meter|scansion=DSDSDS|elision=H-ELISION: continuoque hastae}}
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|[[Fraxinus]] [[et]] [[cornus]] [[ludum]] [[miscebat]] [[in]] [[unum]],
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|{{Commentary|''Fraxinus et cornus'': by metonymy, the wooden spears.
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 9.698: ''volat Itala cornus''. ‘The Italian cornel shaft flies.’ 12.267: ''sonitum dat stridula cornus''. ‘The whistling cornel shaft sings.’ 12.714: ''fors et virtus miscentur in unum.'' ‘Chance and valour blend in one.’
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|[[Fulminis]] [[inque]] [[modum]] [[cuspis]] [[vibrata]] [[micabat]].
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|{{Commentary|''In modum'' equiv. to ''instar''
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 11.615-616.: ''excussus Aconteus/ fulminis in morem''. . .''praecipitat longe''. ‘Flung off like a thunderbolt, Aconteus is hurled headlong far away.’
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|[[Ac]] [[veluti]] [[boreae]] [[sub]] [[tempore]] [[nix]] [[glomerata]]
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|[[Spargitur]], [[haud]] [[aliter]] [[saevas]] [[iecere]] [[sagittas]].
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|[[postremum1|Postremum]] [[cunctis1|cunctis]] [[utroque]] [[ex]] [[agmine]] [[pilis]]
|190
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|[[absumptis1|Absumptis]] [[manus]] [[ad]] [[mucronem]] [[vertitur]] [[omnis]]:
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|{{Parallel|Prudentius'' Psychomachia'' 137: ''vertitur ad capulum manus''. ‘Her ruthless hand turned to her sword-hilt.’
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|[[Fulmineos]] [[promunt]] [[enses]] [[clipeosque]] [[revolvunt]],
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|{{Commentary|''Clipeosque revolvunt'': variously explained. The warriors are either throwing back their shields or taking them up again having already done so, in preparation for combat (cf. ''restaurant'' in the following line).
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 4.579-580.: ''vaginaque eripit ensem/ fulmineum''. ‘He snatches his flashing sword from its sheath.’ 9.441-442.: ''instat non setius ac rotat ensem/ fulmineum''. ‘Onward none the less he presses, whirling his lightning blade.’
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|[[Concurrunt]] [[acies1|acies]] [[demum]] [[pugnamque]] [[restaurant]].
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 11.612-613.: ''adversis Tyrrhenus et acer Aconteus/ conixi incurrunt hastis primique ruinam/ dant sonitu ingenti perfractaque quadripedantum/ pectora pectoribus rumpunt; excussus Aconteus fulminis in morem. . .praecipitat longe''. ‘At once Tyrrhenus and fierce Aconteus charge each other full force with spears, and are first to go down with a mighty crash, breaking and shattering their horses as they collide breast to breast. Flung off like a thunderbolt, Aconteus is hurled headlong far away.’ 10.360-361.: ''aciesque Latinae/ concurrunt''. ‘The ranks of Latium clash.’
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|[[Pectoribus]] [[partim]] [[rumpuntur]] [[pectora1|pectora]] [[equorum]],
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|{{Commentary|The thought of this line parallels that of the next: some of both the horses and the men were killed merely by being crushed against one another while armed in the stampede of battle.
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 11.612-613.: ''adversis Tyrrhenus et acer Aconteus/ conixi incurrunt hastis primique ruinam/ dant sonitu ingenti perfractaque quadripedantum/ pectora pectoribus rumpunt; excussus Aconteus fulminis in morem. . .praecipitat longe''. ‘At once Tyrrhenus and fierce Aconteus charge each other full force with spears, and are first to go down with a mighty crash, breaking and shattering their horses as they collide breast to breast. Flung off like a thunderbolt, Aconteus is hurled headlong far away.’ 10.360-361.: ''aciesque Latinae/ concurrunt''. ‘The ranks of Latium clash.’
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|[[Sternitur]] [[et]] [[quaedam]] [[pars]] [[duro]] [[umbone]] [[virorum]].
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|{{Parallel|Prudentius, ''Psychomachia'' 255-256.: ''hostem humilem cupiens inpulsu umbonis equini/ sternere. . .'' ‘Eager to upset her lowly enemy with the shock of her horse-hide shield. . .’
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|[[Waltharius]] [[tamen]] [[in]] [[medio1|medio]] [[furit]] [[agmine]] [[bello]],
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|{{Parallel|''Aeineid'' 11.762: ''qua se cumque furens medio tulit agmine virgo''. . . ‘Wherever the maiden rides among the ranks in her fury. . .’
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|{{Pictures|[[image:Waltharius-Line-196.png|thumb]]}}
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|[[Obvia]] [[quaeque1|quaeque]] [[metens]] [[armis]] [[ac]] [[limite]] [[pergens]].
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|{{Parallel|''Aeineid'' 11.762: ''qua se cumque furens medio tulit agmine virgo''. . . ‘Wherever the maiden rides among the ranks in her fury. . .’
<br />''Aeneid'' 10.513-514.: ''proxima quaeque metit gladio latumque per agmen/ ardens limitem agit ferro''. . . ‘With the sword he mows down all the nearest ranks, and fiercely drives a broad path through the host with the steel. . .’
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|[[hunc2|Hunc]] [[ubi]] [[conspiciunt]] [[hostes1|hostes]] [[tantas]] [[dare]] [[strages]],
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 9.783-784.: ''unus homo et vestris, o cives, undique saeptus/ aggeribus tantas strages. . .ediderit? '' ‘My countrymen, shall one man, hemmed in on every side by your ramparts, deal such carnage?’ ''Georgics ''3.246-247.: ''nec funera vulgo/ tam multa informes ursi stragemque dedere''. ‘Never does the shapeless bear spread death and havoc so widely.’
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|[[Ac]] [[si]] [[praesentem]] [[metuebant]] [[cernere]] [[mortem]],
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|{{Commentary|''Ac si'': qualifying ''praesentem'', not beginning a clause.
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.91: ''praesentemque viris intentant omnia mortem.'' ‘All forebodes the sailors’ instant death.’
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|[[Et]] [[quemcunque]] [[locum]], [[seu]] [[dextram]] [[sive]] [[sinistram]],
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 3.563: ''laevam cuncta cohors. . .petivit''. ‘Leftward all our force plied.’
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|[[Waltharius]] [[peteret]], [[cuncti1|cuncti]] [[mox]] [[terga]] [[dederunt]]
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 3.563: ''laevam cuncta cohors. . .petivit''. ‘Leftward all our force plied.’
<br />''Aeneid'' 9.686: ''agminibus totis qut versi terga dedere.'' ‘With all their columns [they] are routed and turn to flight.’
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|[[Et]] [[versis]] [[scutis]] [[laxisque]] [[feruntur]] [[habenis]].
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|{{Commentary|''Versis scutis'': they put their shields on their backs to protect them as they flee.
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 9.686: ''agminibus totis qut versi terga dedere.'' ‘With all their columns [they] are routed and turn to flight.’
<br />''Aeneid'' 11.618-619.:'' versique Latini/ reiciunt parmas''. ‘The routed Latins cast their shields behind them.’ 11.623: ''hi fugiunt penitusque datis referuntur habenis'' ‘The others flee, and retreat far off with loosened rein.’ ''Georgics'' 2.364: ''palmes agit laxis per purum immisus habenis. . .'' ‘The shoot, speeding through the void with loosened reins. . .’ ''Aeneid'' 1.62-63.: ''qui foedere certo/ et premere et laxas sciret dare iussus habenas.'' ‘Who, under fixed covenant, should be skilled to tighten and loosen the reins at command.’
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|[[Tunc]] [[imitata]] [[ducem]] [[gens]] [[maxima]] [[Pannoniarum]]
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 11.758-759.: '' ducis exemplum eventumque secuti/ Maeonidae incurrunt. '' ‘Following their chief’s example and success, Maeonia’s sons attack.’
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|[[Saevior]] [[insurgit]] [[caedemque]] [[audacior]] [[auget]],
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 12.902: ''altior insurgens.'' . . ‘Rising to his height. . .’ Prudentius, ''Psychomachia'' 31: ''altior insurgens.''
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|[[Deicit]] [[obstantes]], [[fugientes]] [[proterit]] [[usque]],
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|{{Parallel|Prudentius, ''Psychomachia'' Praefatio 28: ''pellit fugatos, sauciatos proterit. '' ‘[He] drives off in flight those proud kings. . .or cuts them down.’
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|[[dum1|Dum]] [[caperet]] [[plenum]] [[belli]] [[sub]] [[sorte]] [[triumphum]].
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|{{Commentary|''Belli sub sorte'': “in the outcome of the battle”
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|{{Parallel|Prudentius, ''Psychomachia'' 474: ''belli sub sorte''. . . ‘By the luck of war. . .’
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|[[Tum]] [[super1|super]] [[occisos]] [[ruit]] [[et]] [[spoliaverat]] [[omnes1|omnes]].
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|[[Et]] [[tandem]] [[ductor]] [[recavo]] [[vocat]] [[agmina]] [[cornu]]
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|{{Parallel|''Aeineid'' 7.513-514.: ''cornuque recurvo/ Tartaream intendit vocem. '' ‘On the twisted horn [she] strains her hellish voice.’ 3.239: '' dat signum specula Misenus ab alta/ aere cavo. '' ‘Misenus on his hollow brass gave the signal from his watch aloft.’ Prudentius, ''Psychomachia'' 422: ''recavo misceret labra palato''. ‘[She] beats the lips into the arched mouth.’ ''Aeneid'' 7.508: ''vocat agmina Tyrrhus''. ‘Tyrrhus summons his bands.’
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|[[Ac]] [[primus1|primus]] [[frontem]] [[festa]] [[cum2|cum]] [[fronde]] [[revinxit]],
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 5.71-72.: '' ‘. . .cingite tempora ramis.’/ Sic fatus velat materna tempora myrto./ hoc Helymus facit, hoc aevi maturus Acestes/ hoc puer Ascanius, sequitur quos cetera pubes. '' ‘ “. . .Weathe your brows with leaves.” So speaking, he crowns his brows with his mother’s myrtle. Thus does Helymus, thus Acestes, ripe of years, thus the boy Ascanius, the rest of the youth following.’ 7.614: ''sequitur tum cetera pubes''. ‘Then the rest of the warriors take up the cry.’ 4.459: ''velleribus niveis et festa fronde revinctum. . .'' ‘Wreathing it with snowy fleeces and festal foliage. . .’
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|[[Victrici]] [[lauro]] [[cingens]] [[sua1|sua]] [[timpora]] [[vulgo]],
|210
|{{Commentary|''Timpora'' equiv. to ''tempora''
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 5.71-72.: '' ‘. . .cingite tempora ramis.’/ Sic fatus velat materna tempora myrto./ hoc Helymus facit, hoc aevi maturus Acestes/ hoc puer Ascanius, sequitur quos cetera pubes. '' ‘ “. . .Weathe your brows with leaves.” So speaking, he crowns his brows with his mother’s myrtle. Thus does Helymus, thus Acestes, ripe of years, thus the boy Ascanius, the rest of the youth following.’ 7.614: ''sequitur tum cetera pubes''. ‘Then the rest of the warriors take up the cry.’ 4.459: ''velleribus niveis et festa fronde revinctum. . .'' ‘Wreathing it with snowy fleeces and festal foliage. . .’
<br />''Aeineid'' 5.539: ''cingit viridanti tempora lauro.'' ‘He binds his brows with green laurel.’ Virgil, ''Eclogue'' 8.12-13.: ''hanc sine tempora circum/ inter victricis hederam tibi serpere lauros.'' ‘Grant that, amid the conqueror’s laurels, this ivy may creep about your brows.’
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|[[post1|Post]] [[hunc2|hunc]] [[signiferi]], [[sequitur]] [[quos]] [[cetera]] [[pubes]].
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|[[Iamque]] [[triumphali]] [[redierunt]] [[stemmate1|stemmate]] [[compti]]
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|[[Et]] [[patriam]] [[ingressi]] [[propria]] [[se5|se]] [[quisque1|quisque]] [[locavit]]
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|{{Meter|scansion=DSDSDS|elision=patriam ingressi}}
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|[[sed1|Sed]]e, [[sed1|sed]] [[ad]] [[solium1|solium]] [[mox]] [[Waltharius]] [[properavit]].
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<hr />

{|
|[[Waltharius142|« previous]]
|{{Outline|
* Prologue
* Introduction: the Huns (1–12)
* The Huns (13–418)
** The Franks under Gibich surrender to Attila, giving Hagen as a hostage (13–33)
** The Burgundians under Hereric surrender to Attila, giving Hildegund as a hostage (34–74)
** The Aquitainians under Alphere surrender to Attila, giving Walther as a hostage (75–92)
** Experience of the hostages at Attila’s court (93–115)
** Death of Gibich, flight of Hagen (116–122)
** Attila’s queen Ospirin advises her husband to ensure Walther’s loyalty by arranging a marriage (123–141)
** Walther rejects Attila’s offer of a bride (142–169)
** '''Walther leads the army of the Huns to victory in battle (170–214)'''
** The Escape (215–418)
*** Walther returns from battle and encounters Hildegund (215–255)
*** Walther reveals to Hildegund his plans for escaping with Attila’s treasure (256–286)
*** Walther hosts a luxurious banquet for Attila’s court; eventually all his intoxicated guests fall asleep (287–323)
*** Flight of Walther and Hildegund from Attila’s court (324–357)
*** The following day, the escape of Walther and Hildegund is discovered by Ospirin (358–379)
*** Attila is infuriated and vows revenge on Walther, but can find no one willing to dare to pursue him, even for a large reward (380–418)
* The Single Combats (419–1061)
** Diplomacy (419–639)
*** Flight of Walther and Hildegund to the area of Worms (419–435)
*** Gunther, King of the Franks, learns of Walther’s presence on his territory and, despite Hagen’s warnings, decides to pursue him for his treasure (436–488)
*** Walther makes his camp in a mountainous area and goes to sleep (489–512)
*** Gunther and his companions approach Walther’s camp; Hagen unsuccessfully tries to dissuade the king from attacking it (513–531)
*** Hildegund sees the Franks approaching and wakes Walther, who calms her fears and prepares for battle; he recognizes Hagen from a distance (532–571)
*** Hagen persuades Gunther to try diplomacy before using force (571–580)
*** Camalo is sent as a messenger to Walther, who offers to make Gunther a gift in return for allowing his passage (581–616)
*** Hagen counsels Gunther to accept the offer, but Gunther rejects this advice, calling him a coward. Insulted, Hagen goes off to a nearby hill (617–639)
** Combat (640–1061)
*** 1st single combat: Camalo is sent back to Walther, who slays him (640–685)
*** 2nd single combat: Walther slays Kimo/Scaramund, Camalo’s nephew (686–719)
*** Gunther encourages his men (720–724)
*** 3rd single combat: Walther slays Werinhard, a descendant of the Trojan Pandarus (725–753)
*** 4th single combat: Walther slays the Saxon Ekivrid, after an exchange of insults (754–780)
*** 5th single combat: Walther slays Hadawart, after an exchange of insults (781–845)
*** Hagen sees his nephew Patavrid going off to fight Walther and laments the evil wreaked on mankind by greed (846–877)
*** 6th single combat: after trying to dissuade him from fighting, Walther slays Patavrid (878–913)
*** 7th single combat: Walther slays Gerwitus (914–940)
*** Gunther again encourages his men, giving Walther some time to rest (941–961)
*** 8th single combat: Walther is shorn of his hair by Randolf, whom he then slays (962–981)
*** Walther is attacked by Eleuthir/Helmnot, assisted by Trogus, Tanastus, and Gunther; he slays all but Gunther (981–1061)
* The Final Combat (1062–1452)
** Gunther tries to persuade Hagen to help him to defeat Waltharius; remembering his wounded honor, Hagen refuses (1062–1088)
** Hagen changes his mind and agrees to help Gunther, but advises that they must lie low wait until Walther comes down from the mountains into open ground (1089–1129)
** 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)
** The following day, Walther and Hildegund set out from the mountains, taking the horses and arms of the defeated warriors (1188–1207)
** Hildegund perceives Gunther and Hagen approaching to attack; the king addresses Walther (1208–1236)
** Walther ignores Gunther and pleads with Hagen to remember the bond of their childhood friendship; Hagen counters that Walther has already broken their faith by slaying Patavrid (1237–1279)
** The fight begins and continues for seven hours; Gunther foolishly tries to retrieve a thrown spear from the ground near Walther and is only saved from death by Hagen’s brave intervention (1280–1345)
** Walther challenges Hagen; he severs Gunther’s leg, but Hagen again saves the king’s life (1346–1375)
** Hagen cuts off Walther’s right hand; Walther gouges out one of Hagen’s eyes and, cutting open his cheek, knocks out four teeth (1376–1395)
** Having wounded each other, the warriors end the battle, drink together, and engage in a friendly exchange of humorous taunt (1396–1442)
** The warriors return to their respective homes; Walther marries Hildegund and eventually becomes king of the Aquitainians (1443–1452)
* Epilogue (1453–1456)}}
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|[[Waltharius170English|English]]
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