Difference between revisions of "Waltharius287"

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|{{Comment|'''288-323''' The opening scene of the book of Esther is an important parallel to this feast scene. Here King Xerxes arranges a great feast in Susa “that he might show the riches of the glory of his kingdom, and the greatness, and boasting of his power” (1.4), but his overdrinking leads him to shame himself when his beautiful wife Vashti refuses his drunken command that she parade in front of the court. This refusal leads him to depose his queen and hunt for another, who will be Esther. SB.}}
 
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|[[Praefinita]] [[dies]] [[epularum]] [[venit2|venit]], [[et]] [[ipse]]
 
|[[Praefinita]] [[dies]] [[epularum]] [[venit2|venit]], [[et]] [[ipse]]
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
 
|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
−
<br />''Aeineid'' 1.637-638.: ''at domus interior regali splendida luxu/ instruitur, mediisque parant convivia tectis''. ‘But the palace within is laid out with the splendour of princely pomp, and amid the halls they prepare a banquet.’
+
<br />''Aeneid'' 1.637-638.: ''at domus interior regali splendida luxu/ instruitur, mediisque parant convivia tectis''. ‘But the palace within is laid out with the splendour of princely pomp, and amid the halls they prepare a banquet.’
 
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|{{Meter|scansion=DDDSDS|elision=luxuria in}}
 
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|{{Comment|'''Luxuria in media residebat denique mensa''' “and then Luxury settled in the middle of the table”; contrast with 315 where another vice, Drunkenness (Ebrietas), rules the hall. We progress from one vice to another. Both terms are associated in early Christian sources with sexual impropriety, and specifically sodomy. Ambrose of Milan, De Abraham 1.3.14: “Sodoma enim luxuria atque lasciuia est” (C. Schenkl, ed., CSEL 32.1, Prague1897, 512). Jerome, Commentary on Ezekiel 5.16.552-3: “Sodoma uocatur et Samaria, quarum altera gentilem uitam luxuriam que significat, altera haereticorum decipulas” (F. Glorie, ed. CCSL 75, Turnhout 1964, 202). John Cassian (c. 360 – 435), De institutis coenobiorum et de octo principalium uitiorum remediis libri XII 5.6: “Sodomitis causa subuersionis atque luxuriae non uini crapula, sed saturitas extitit panis” (M. Petschenig, ed., CSEL 17, Vienna 1888, 86). See M. D. Jordan, “Homosexuality, luxuria, and textual abuse,” Constructing medieval sexuality, ed. K. Lochrie, P. McCracken, and J. A. Schultz (Minneapolis 1997), pp. 24-39. SB.
 +
 
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This personification of Luxuria in connection with Drunkenness is also redolent of Prudentius, Psychomachia 378-388. It is interesting that Luxuria is there described as "coming from the East" ("378-9: Venerat occiduis mundi de finibus hostis / Luxuria), just as in the Waltharius a scene is painted of eastern decadence. [JJTY] [An early installment of what Edward Said would call "orientalism" (JZ)?}}
 
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|[[Ingrediturque]] [[aulam]] [[velis]] [[rex]] [[undique]] [[septam]].
 
|[[Ingrediturque]] [[aulam]] [[velis]] [[rex]] [[undique]] [[septam]].
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}}
 
}}
 
|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
 
|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
−
<br />''Aeineid'' 1.637-638.: ''at domus interior regali splendida luxu/ instruitur, mediisque parant convivia tectis''. ‘But the palace within is laid out with the splendour of princely pomp, and amid the halls they prepare a banquet.’
+
<br />''Aeneid'' 1.637-638.: ''at domus interior regali splendida luxu/ instruitur, mediisque parant convivia tectis''. ‘But the palace within is laid out with the splendour of princely pomp, and amid the halls they prepare a banquet.’
 
<br />''Aeneid'' 9.783: ''undique saeptus. . . '' ‘Hemmed in on every side. . .’  
 
<br />''Aeneid'' 9.783: ''undique saeptus. . . '' ‘Hemmed in on every side. . .’  
 
}}
 
}}
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}}
 
}}
 
|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
 
|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
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<br />''Aeineid'' 8.178: ''Aenean solioque invitat acerno.'' ‘He invites Aeneas to a maple throne.’ ''Secundum Lucam'' 16.19: ''induebatur purpura et bysso. ‘''He was clothed in purple and fine linen.’
+
<br />''Aeneid'' 8.178: ''Aenean solioque invitat acerno.'' ‘He invites Aeneas to a maple throne.’ ''Secundum Lucam'' 16.19: ''induebatur purpura et bysso. ‘''He was clothed in purple and fine linen.’
 
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}}
 
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|{{Comment|'''bissus comspit et ostrum''' Compare the description of the king’s hall in Esther 1.6: “And there were hung up on every side sky coloured, and green, and violet hangings, fastened with cords of silk, and of purple, which were put into rings of ivory, and were held up with marble pillars. The beds also were of gold and silver, placed in order upon a floor paved with porphyry and white marble: which was embellished with painting of wonderful variety” (“et pendebant ex omni parte tentoria aerii coloris et carpasini et hyacinthini sustentata funibus byssinis atque purpureis qui eburneis circulis inserti erant et columnis marmoreis fulciebantur lectuli quoque aurei et argentei super pavimentum zmaragdino et pario stratum lapide dispositi erant quod mira varietate pictura decorabat”). Luxurious, foreign elements seem to dominate. SB.}}
 
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|[[Consedit]] [[laterique]] [[duces]] [[hinc]] [[indeque]] [[binos]]
 
|[[Consedit]] [[laterique]] [[duces]] [[hinc]] [[indeque]] [[binos]]
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
 
|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
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<br />''Aeineid'' 8.176: ''viros locat ipse sedili.'' ‘With his own hand he ranges the guests on the grassy seat.’
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<br />''Aeneid'' 8.176: ''viros locat ipse sedili.'' ‘With his own hand he ranges the guests on the grassy seat.’
 
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|{{Comment|'''accubitus''' presumably these are not meant to be reclining seats as used by the Romans, but perhaps benches. On the other hand, in keeping with the depiction of the Hunnish court as exotic and luxurious, it is possible that the original valence is intended. SB}}
 
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|[[Diversasque]] [[dapes]] [[libans]] [[conviva]] [[resudat]].
 
|[[Diversasque]] [[dapes]] [[libans]] [[conviva]] [[resudat]].
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
 
|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
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<br />''Aeineid'' 5.92: ''libavitque dapes.'' ‘He tasted the viands.’ Prudentius, ''Apotheosis ''719-720.: ''crudus conviva resudat/ congeriem ventris.'' ‘The cloyed guest is exuding the mass in his belly.’
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<br />''Aeneid'' 5.92: ''libavitque dapes.'' ‘He tasted the viands.’ Prudentius, ''Apotheosis ''719-720.: ''crudus conviva resudat/ congeriem ventris.'' ‘The cloyed guest is exuding the mass in his belly.’
 
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|{{Comment|'''resudat''' possibly from the spiciness of the food. But the parallels in Prudentius remind us that this whole passage serves as a warning against drunkenness and luxury, with Esther as the source of the moral: King Xerxes humiliates himself because he has had too much to drink. exquisitum fervebat migma per aurum Compare the silverware in Esther 1.7: “And they that were invited, drank in golden cups, and the meats were brought in divers vessels one after another. Wine also in abundance and of the best was presented, as was worthy of a king's magnificence.” (“bibebant autem qui invitati erant aureis poculis et aliis atque aliis vasis cibi inferebantur vinum quoque ut magnificentia regia dignum erat abundans et praecipuum ponebatur”). SB.}}
 
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|[[his3|His]] [[et]] [[sublatis]] [[aliae]] [[referuntur]] [[edendae]],
 
|[[his3|His]] [[et]] [[sublatis]] [[aliae]] [[referuntur]] [[edendae]],
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|{{Pictures|[[image:Waltharius-Lines-299–300.png|thumb]]}}
 
|{{Pictures|[[image:Waltharius-Lines-299–300.png|thumb]]}}
 
|{{Meter|scansion=SSSSDS|elision=atque exquisitum}}
 
|{{Meter|scansion=SSSSDS|elision=atque exquisitum}}
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|{{Comment|'''exquisitum fervebat migma per aurum''' Compare the silverware in Esther 1.7: “And they that were invited, drank in golden cups, and the meats were brought in divers vessels one after another. Wine also in abundance and of the best was presented, as was worthy of a king's magnificence.” (“bibebant autem qui invitati erant aureis poculis et aliis atque aliis vasis cibi inferebantur vinum quoque ut magnificentia regia dignum erat abundans et praecipuum ponebatur”). SB.[migma has occasioned a bit of perplexity, being construed most often as mixed wine but sometimes as food: see Novum Glossarium, ed. Blatt, col. 472. JZ]}}
 
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|[[Aurea]] [[bissina]] [[tantum1|tantum]] [[stant]] [[gausape]] [[vasa]] --
 
|[[Aurea]] [[bissina]] [[tantum1|tantum]] [[stant]] [[gausape]] [[vasa]] --
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|{{Comment|'''pigmentatus''' the idea seems to be that the contents were spicy [or aromatic: JZ], not that the vessel was painted. Either interpretation, however, would contribute to the louche imagery of this type-scene. SB <br />Cf. line 440 in which "pigmentis" is used to describe fish as spicy or aromatic. [AP].}}
 
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|[[Illicit]] [[ad]] [[haustum]] [[species1|species]] [[dulcedoque]] [[potus]].
 
|[[Illicit]] [[ad]] [[haustum]] [[species1|species]] [[dulcedoque]] [[potus]].
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|{{Comment|for a vivid picture of a Germanic drinking bout, as opposed to a classical or biblical bout, see Beowulf lines 491-498. It is perhaps best not to assume that this drinking bout is exclusively Germanic, Classical, or Biblical. SB.}}
 
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|[[Waltharius]] [[cunctos1|cunctos]] [[ad]] [[vinum]] [[hortatur]] [[et]] [[escam]].
 
|[[Waltharius]] [[cunctos1|cunctos]] [[ad]] [[vinum]] [[hortatur]] [[et]] [[escam]].
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}}
 
}}
 
|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
 
|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
−
<br />''Aeineid'' 1.640-641.: ''ingens argentum mensis, caelataque in auro/ fortia facta patrum, series longissima rerum.'' ‘On the tables is massive silver plate, and in gold are graven the doughty deeds of her sires, a long, long course of exploits.’ ''Liber Regum III'' 7.24: '' duo ordines scalpturarum histriatarum erant fusiles. '' ‘There were two rows cast of chamfered sculptures.’
+
<br />''Aeneid'' 1.640-641.: ''ingens argentum mensis, caelataque in auro/ fortia facta patrum, series longissima rerum.'' ‘On the tables is massive silver plate, and in gold are graven the doughty deeds of her sires, a long, long course of exploits.’ ''Liber Regum III'' 7.24: '' duo ordines scalpturarum histriatarum erant fusiles. '' ‘There were two rows cast of chamfered sculptures.’
 
}}
 
}}
 
|{{Pictures|[[image:Waltharius-Lines-308–309-or-43–49.png|thumb]]}}
 
|{{Pictures|[[image:Waltharius-Lines-308–309-or-43–49.png|thumb]]}}
 
|{{Meter|scansion=DSSDDS}}
 
|{{Meter|scansion=DSSDDS}}
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|{{Comment|Cf. Esther 1.6-7. SB}}
 
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|[[Ordine]] [[sculpturae]] [[referentem]] [[gesta]] [[priorum]],
 
|[[Ordine]] [[sculpturae]] [[referentem]] [[gesta]] [[priorum]],
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
 
|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
−
<br />''Aeineid'' 1.640-641.: ''ingens argentum mensis, caelataque in auro/ fortia facta patrum, series longissima rerum.'' ‘On the tables is massive silver plate, and in gold are graven the doughty deeds of her sires, a long, long course of exploits.’ ''Liber Regum III'' 7.24: '' duo ordines scalpturarum histriatarum erant fusiles. '' ‘There were two rows cast of chamfered sculptures.’
+
<br />''Aeneid'' 1.640-641.: ''ingens argentum mensis, caelataque in auro/ fortia facta patrum, series longissima rerum.'' ‘On the tables is massive silver plate, and in gold are graven the doughty deeds of her sires, a long, long course of exploits.’ ''Liber Regum III'' 7.24: '' duo ordines scalpturarum histriatarum erant fusiles. '' ‘There were two rows cast of chamfered sculptures.’
 
}}
 
}}
 
|{{PicturesCont}}
 
|{{PicturesCont}}
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|{{PicturesCont}}
 
|{{PicturesCont}}
 
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|{{Comment|Cf. 228, where Walter hands Hildegund an empty cup after drinking. It is worth noting that in Esther 1.8 the king does not, in contradistinction to Walter’s own drinking bout, compel the unwilling to drink (Esther 1.8: nec erat qui nolentes cogeret ad bibendum). SB}}
 
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|[[Hospitis]] [[ac]] [[regis]] [[certant]] [[hortatibus]] [[omnes4|omnes]].
 
|[[Hospitis]] [[ac]] [[regis]] [[certant]] [[hortatibus]] [[omnes4|omnes]].
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|{{PicturesCont}}
 
|{{PicturesCont}}
 
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|{{Comment|'''Ebrietas''' contrast with line 290. Where luxuria formerly reigned, now ebrietas holds sway. The parallels with the story in the book of Esther are striking, for it is in the context of heavy drinking (cum rex esset hilarior et post nimiam potionem) that the king orders his wife Vashti to parade in front of the whole court to show off her beauty, a request that she fatefully refuses. The term is used in a Carolingian capitulum that bemoans the practice of sodomy in monastic communities (A. Boretius, ed., MGH Capitularia regum Francorum 1, Capitulare Missorum Generale (802), c. 17). SB.}}
 
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|[[Balbutit]] [[madido]] [[facundia]] [[fusa]] [[palato1|palato]],
 
|[[Balbutit]] [[madido]] [[facundia]] [[fusa]] [[palato1|palato]],
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
 
|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
−
<br />''Aeineid'' 6.520: ''somnoque gravatum. . .'' ‘Sunk in slumber. . .’
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<br />''Aeneid'' 6.520: ''somnoque gravatum. . .'' ‘Sunk in slumber. . .’
 
}}
 
}}
 
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|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
 
|{{Parallel|''Aeneid'' 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, ''Apotheosis'' 712-713. ''Liber Hester'' chapter 1.
−
<br />''Aeineid'' 9.316-317.: ''passim somno vinoque per herbam/ corpora fusa vident.'' ‘Everywhere they see bodies stretched along the grass in drunken sleep.’
+
<br />''Aeneid'' 9.316-317.: ''passim somno vinoque per herbam/ corpora fusa vident.'' ‘Everywhere they see bodies stretched along the grass in drunken sleep.’
 
}}
 
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|{{Meter|scansion=SDSDDS}}
 
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|{{Comment|'''humotenus''' “groundwards” a word that the Waltharius poet likes, and which is either a neologism or exceedingly rare (it is absent from the Thesaurus Linguae Latinae and from several other Latin dictionaries), though its meaning is clear enough. SB [The word could be construed equally well as being two: humo + tenus, a preposition that is usually placed postpositively. Thus humotenus is comparable to mecum or tecum, which could be written separately--as honoris causa is. JZ]}}
 
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|[[Et]] [[licet]] [[ignicremis]] [[vellet]] [[dare]] [[moenia]] [[flammis]],
 
|[[Et]] [[licet]] [[ignicremis]] [[vellet]] [[dare]] [[moenia]] [[flammis]],
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|{{Comment| Cf. the prediction of the destruction of Heorot in Beowulf, trans. Seamus Heaney, p. 7, lines 81-64: "The hall towered, / its gables wide and high and awaiting / a barbarous burning. That doom abided, / but in time it would come" SB}}
 
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|[[nullus2|Nullus]], [[qui3|qui]] [[causam]] [[potuisset]] [[scire]], [[remansit]].
 
|[[nullus2|Nullus]], [[qui3|qui]] [[causam]] [[potuisset]] [[scire]], [[remansit]].

Latest revision as of 04:49, 16 December 2009

Walther hosts a luxurious banquet for Attila’s court; eventually all his intoxicated guests fall asleep (287–323)

Virgo memor praecepta viri complevit. et ecce  DSDSDS   288-323 The opening scene of the book of Esther is an important parallel to this feast scene. Here King Xerxes arranges a great feast in Susa “that he might show the riches of the glory of his kingdom, and the greatness, and boasting of his power” (1.4), but his overdrinking leads him to shame himself when his beautiful wife Vashti refuses his drunken command that she parade in front of the court. This refusal leads him to depose his queen and hunt for another, who will be Esther. SB. 
Praefinita dies epularum venit, et ipse  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.


Aeneid 5.104: Exspectata dies aderat. ‘The looked-for day had come.’ Hiezecihel Propheta 21.25: cuius venit dies in tempore iniquitatis praefinita. ‘Whose day is come that hath been appointed in the time of iniquity.’  

 SDDSDS 
Waltharius magnis instruxit sumptibus escas.  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.


Aeneid 3.231: instruimus mensas. ‘We spread the tables.’  

 DSSSDS 
Luxuria in media residebat denique mensa, 290  Luxuria: personified

 

 Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.


Aeneid 1.637-638.: at domus interior regali splendida luxu/ instruitur, mediisque parant convivia tectis. ‘But the palace within is laid out with the splendour of princely pomp, and amid the halls they prepare a banquet.’  

 DDDSDS
Elision: luxuria in  		 Luxuria in media residebat denique mensa “and then Luxury settled in the middle of the table”; contrast with 315 where another vice, Drunkenness (Ebrietas), rules the hall. We progress from one vice to another. Both terms are associated in early Christian sources with sexual impropriety, and specifically sodomy. Ambrose of Milan, De Abraham 1.3.14: “Sodoma enim luxuria atque lasciuia est” (C. Schenkl, ed., CSEL 32.1, Prague1897, 512). Jerome, Commentary on Ezekiel 5.16.552-3: “Sodoma uocatur et Samaria, quarum altera gentilem uitam luxuriam que significat, altera haereticorum decipulas” (F. Glorie, ed. CCSL 75, Turnhout 1964, 202). John Cassian (c. 360 – 435), De institutis coenobiorum et de octo principalium uitiorum remediis libri XII 5.6: “Sodomitis causa subuersionis atque luxuriae non uini crapula, sed saturitas extitit panis” (M. Petschenig, ed., CSEL 17, Vienna 1888, 86). See M. D. Jordan, “Homosexuality, luxuria, and textual abuse,” Constructing medieval sexuality, ed. K. Lochrie, P. McCracken, and J. A. Schultz (Minneapolis 1997), pp. 24-39. SB.

This personification of Luxuria in connection with Drunkenness is also redolent of Prudentius, Psychomachia 378-388. It is interesting that Luxuria is there described as "coming from the East" ("378-9: Venerat occiduis mundi de finibus hostis / Luxuria), just as in the Waltharius a scene is painted of eastern decadence. [JJTY] [An early installment of what Edward Said would call "orientalism" (JZ)? 

Ingrediturque aulam velis rex undique septam.  Septam equiv. to saeptam, here “hung with” tapestries (velis), although a certain double-entendre in reference to the trap that is about to “enclose” Attila and his court may be intended.

 

 Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.


Aeneid 1.637-638.: at domus interior regali splendida luxu/ instruitur, mediisque parant convivia tectis. ‘But the palace within is laid out with the splendour of princely pomp, and amid the halls they prepare a banquet.’
Aeneid 9.783: undique saeptus. . . ‘Hemmed in on every side. . .’  

 DSSSDS
Elision: ingrediturque aulam 
Heros magnanimus solito quem more salutans  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.


Aeneid 6.649: magnanimi heroes. . . ‘High-souled heroes. . .’ 7.357: solito. . .de more. . . ‘According to the accustomed manner. . .’  

 SDDSDS 
Duxerat ad solium, quod bissus compsit et ostrum.  Bissus: “fine linen”

 

 Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.


Aeneid 8.178: Aenean solioque invitat acerno. ‘He invites Aeneas to a maple throne.’ Secundum Lucam 16.19: induebatur purpura et bysso. ‘He was clothed in purple and fine linen.’  

 DDSSDS   bissus comspit et ostrum Compare the description of the king’s hall in Esther 1.6: “And there were hung up on every side sky coloured, and green, and violet hangings, fastened with cords of silk, and of purple, which were put into rings of ivory, and were held up with marble pillars. The beds also were of gold and silver, placed in order upon a floor paved with porphyry and white marble: which was embellished with painting of wonderful variety” (“et pendebant ex omni parte tentoria aerii coloris et carpasini et hyacinthini sustentata funibus byssinis atque purpureis qui eburneis circulis inserti erant et columnis marmoreis fulciebantur lectuli quoque aurei et argentei super pavimentum zmaragdino et pario stratum lapide dispositi erant quod mira varietate pictura decorabat”). Luxurious, foreign elements seem to dominate. SB. 
Consedit laterique duces hinc indeque binos  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

 SDDSDS 
Assedisse iubet; reliquos locat ipse minister. 295  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.


Aeneid 8.176: viros locat ipse sedili. ‘With his own hand he ranges the guests on the grassy seat.’  

 SDDDDS 
Centenos simul accubitus iniere sodales,  Centenos equiv. to centum
Accubitus: the word implies the ancient practice of reclining on couches while eating, but the poet probably simply means “seat.”

 

 Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.


Prudentius, Apotheosis 713: centenos simul accubitus iniere sodales. ‘Like bosom friends they have joined in a hundred parties.’  

 SDDDDS   accubitus presumably these are not meant to be reclining seats as used by the Romans, but perhaps benches. On the other hand, in keeping with the depiction of the Hunnish court as exotic and luxurious, it is possible that the original valence is intended. SB 
Diversasque dapes libans conviva resudat.  Resudat: The parallel in Prudentius suggests that this “sweating out” is a sign of over-indulgence, not pleasure. Singular for plural.

 

 Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.


Aeneid 5.92: libavitque dapes. ‘He tasted the viands.’ Prudentius, Apotheosis 719-720.: crudus conviva resudat/ congeriem ventris. ‘The cloyed guest is exuding the mass in his belly.’  

 SDSSDS   resudat possibly from the spiciness of the food. But the parallels in Prudentius remind us that this whole passage serves as a warning against drunkenness and luxury, with Esther as the source of the moral: King Xerxes humiliates himself because he has had too much to drink. exquisitum fervebat migma per aurum Compare the silverware in Esther 1.7: “And they that were invited, drank in golden cups, and the meats were brought in divers vessels one after another. Wine also in abundance and of the best was presented, as was worthy of a king's magnificence.” (“bibebant autem qui invitati erant aureis poculis et aliis atque aliis vasis cibi inferebantur vinum quoque ut magnificentia regia dignum erat abundans et praecipuum ponebatur”). SB. 
His et sublatis aliae referuntur edendae,  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

 SSDDDS 
Atque exquisitum fervebat migma per aurum  Migma: “mixture,” probably some sort of warm drink, e.g. mulled wine (not mead, as this was drunk cold).

 

 Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

 
Waltharius-Lines-299-300.png
  		 SSSSDS
Elision: atque exquisitum  		 exquisitum fervebat migma per aurum Compare the silverware in Esther 1.7: “And they that were invited, drank in golden cups, and the meats were brought in divers vessels one after another. Wine also in abundance and of the best was presented, as was worthy of a king's magnificence.” (“bibebant autem qui invitati erant aureis poculis et aliis atque aliis vasis cibi inferebantur vinum quoque ut magnificentia regia dignum erat abundans et praecipuum ponebatur”). SB.[migma has occasioned a bit of perplexity, being construed most often as mixed wine but sometimes as food: see Novum Glossarium, ed. Blatt, col. 472. JZ] 
Aurea bissina tantum stant gausape vasa -- 300  Bissina…gausape: “linen tablecloth.” The noun is not feminine in Classical authors.

 

 Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

   DSSSDS 
Et pigmentatus crateres Bachus adornat.  Pigmentatus…Bachus: usually interpreted as “spiced wine;” German wine of the period was sour and had to be sweetened or flavored. But a miniature ecphrasic description of the appearance of the painted crateres (“mixing bowls,” here perhaps “cups”) also seems possible, given the emphasis on the material and visual (aurea, bissina, adornat, species) in this context.

 

 Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

 SSSSDS   pigmentatus the idea seems to be that the contents were spicy [or aromatic: JZ], not that the vessel was painted. Either interpretation, however, would contribute to the louche imagery of this type-scene. SB
Cf. line 440 in which "pigmentis" is used to describe fish as spicy or aromatic. [AP]. 
Illicit ad haustum species dulcedoque potus.  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

 DSDSDS   for a vivid picture of a Germanic drinking bout, as opposed to a classical or biblical bout, see Beowulf lines 491-498. It is perhaps best not to assume that this drinking bout is exclusively Germanic, Classical, or Biblical. SB. 
Waltharius cunctos ad vinum hortatur et escam.  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

 DSSSDS
Elision: vinum hortatur 
Postquam epulis depulsa fames sublataque mensa,  Sublata mensa: once again it is unclear whether this is merely figurative language for “at the end of the meal,” picking up Virgil’s mensae remotae, or whether the poet envisions the tables being carried out. Althof emphasizes that the use of the singular does not establish that the guests necessarily feasted at one common table.

 

 Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.


Aeneid 1.216: postquam exempta fames epulis mensaeque remotae. . . ‘When hunger was banished by the feats and the board was cleared. . .’ 1.723: Postquam prima quies epulis mensaeque remotae. . . ‘When first there came a lull in the feasting, and the boards were cleared. . .’ 8.184: postquam exempta fames et amor compressus edendi. . . ‘When hunger was banished and the desire of food was stayed. . .’  

 DSDSDS
Elision: postquam epulis 
Heros iam dictus dominum laetanter adorsus 305  Iam dictus: “the aforementioned,” i.e., Waltharius, a metrical crutch.

 

 Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

 SSDSDS 
Inquit: 'in hoc, rogito, clarescat gratia vestra,  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

 DDSSDS 
Ut vos inprimis, reliquos tunc laetificetis.'  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.


Psalmi 103.15: . . .vinum laetificat cor hominis. ‘. . .That wine may cheer the heart of man.’  

 SSDSDS 
Et simul in verbo nappam dedit arte peractam  Nappam equiv. to poculum, cf. German Napf.

 

 Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.


Aeneid 1.640-641.: ingens argentum mensis, caelataque in auro/ fortia facta patrum, series longissima rerum. ‘On the tables is massive silver plate, and in gold are graven the doughty deeds of her sires, a long, long course of exploits.’ Liber Regum III 7.24: duo ordines scalpturarum histriatarum erant fusiles. ‘There were two rows cast of chamfered sculptures.’  

 
Waltharius-Lines-308-309-or-43-49.png
  		 DSSDDS   Cf. Esther 1.6-7. SB 
Ordine sculpturae referentem gesta priorum,  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.


Aeneid 1.640-641.: ingens argentum mensis, caelataque in auro/ fortia facta patrum, series longissima rerum. ‘On the tables is massive silver plate, and in gold are graven the doughty deeds of her sires, a long, long course of exploits.’ Liber Regum III 7.24: duo ordines scalpturarum histriatarum erant fusiles. ‘There were two rows cast of chamfered sculptures.’  

   DSDSDS 
Quam rex accipiens haustu vacuaverat uno, 310  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

 SDSDDS 
Confestimque iubet reliquos imitarier omnes.  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

 SDDDDS 
Ocius accurrunt pincernae moxque recurrunt,  Pincernae: “cup-bearers,” among the Germans usually noble youths.

 

 Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

 
Waltharius-Lines-312-318.png
  		 DSSSDS 
Pocula plena dabant et inania suscipiebant.  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

   DDDDDS   Cf. 228, where Walter hands Hildegund an empty cup after drinking. It is worth noting that in Esther 1.8 the king does not, in contradistinction to Walter’s own drinking bout, compel the unwilling to drink (Esther 1.8: nec erat qui nolentes cogeret ad bibendum). SB 
Hospitis ac regis certant hortatibus omnes.  Hospitis: i.e., Waltharius, the host of the banquet.

 

 Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

   DSSSDS 
Ebrietas fervens tota dominatur in aula, 315  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

   DSSDDS   Ebrietas contrast with line 290. Where luxuria formerly reigned, now ebrietas holds sway. The parallels with the story in the book of Esther are striking, for it is in the context of heavy drinking (cum rex esset hilarior et post nimiam potionem) that the king orders his wife Vashti to parade in front of the whole court to show off her beauty, a request that she fatefully refuses. The term is used in a Carolingian capitulum that bemoans the practice of sodomy in monastic communities (A. Boretius, ed., MGH Capitularia regum Francorum 1, Capitulare Missorum Generale (802), c. 17). SB. 
Balbutit madido facundia fusa palato,  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

   SDSDDS 
Heroas validos plantis titubare videres.  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

   SDSDDS 
Taliter in seram produxit bachica noctem  Produxit bachica…munera: “prolonged the drinking”

 

 Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.


Boethius, Philosophiae Consolationis 2.5.6: Bacchica munera. . . ‘The gifts of Bacchus. . .’ Virgil, Georgics 3.526-527.: Bacchi/ munera.  

   DSSSDS 
Munera Waltharius retrahitque redire volentes,  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

 DDDDDS 
Donec vi potus pressi somnoque gravati 320  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.


Aeneid 6.520: somnoque gravatum. . . ‘Sunk in slumber. . .’  

 SSSSDS 
Passim porticibus sternuntur humotenus omnes.  Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.


Aeneid 9.316-317.: passim somno vinoque per herbam/ corpora fusa vident. ‘Everywhere they see bodies stretched along the grass in drunken sleep.’  

 SDSDDS   humotenus “groundwards” a word that the Waltharius poet likes, and which is either a neologism or exceedingly rare (it is absent from the Thesaurus Linguae Latinae and from several other Latin dictionaries), though its meaning is clear enough. SB [The word could be construed equally well as being two: humo + tenus, a preposition that is usually placed postpositively. Thus humotenus is comparable to mecum or tecum, which could be written separately--as honoris causa is. JZ] 
Et licet ignicremis vellet dare moenia flammis,  Licet…remansit equiv. to etiamsi voluisset dare…nullus remansisset
Ignicremis equiv. to igne cremantibus – a rare word, but not coined by this poet.

 

 Aeneid 1.637-642; 1.697-708; 8.175-183. Prudentius, Apotheosis 712-713. Liber Hester chapter 1.

 

 DDSDDS    Cf. the prediction of the destruction of Heorot in Beowulf, trans. Seamus Heaney, p. 7, lines 81-64: "The hall towered, / its gables wide and high and awaiting / a barbarous burning. That doom abided, / but in time it would come" SB 
Nullus, qui causam potuisset scire, remansit.  Causam equiv. to rem (cf. line 325 below and note on line 147).

 

 SSDSDS 
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