Waltharius941

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

Tum primum Franci coeperunt forte morari					SSSSDS
Et magnis precibus dominum decedere pugna			Aeneid 9.789: excedere pugnae. ‘He withdraws from the fight.’		SDDSDS
Deposcunt. furit ille miser caecusque profatur:			Aeneid 1.561; 4.364: profatur. ‘She speaks.’ Aeneid 2.348-349.: iuvenes, fortissima frustra/ pectora. . . ‘My men, hearts vainly valiant. . .’		SDDSDS	ille miser caecusque: This description of Gunther accords with the overall depiction of Gunther as suffering most of all from the Christian vice of avarice: his first appearance in 441-472 (that is, after his brief mention in 29-30) is marked by his urgent desire to reclaim the wealth his kingdom has lost. His avarice makes him arrogant and bold (468, 628, 720, 1295: Gunther described as “superbus”), affects his ability to reason (530: “male sana mente gravatus,” “burdened by a not sane mind”; 754 and 1228: “dementem,” “insane”), and ultimately dooms his efforts (488, 1062, 1092: described as “infelix,” “unfortunate”). Cf. the description of Avarice in Prudentius’ Psychomachia 548-568, where it is described as leading men on as if they were blind and deceiving them (“hunc lumine adempto ... caecum errare sinit,” “She allows this one, robbed of his eyesight, to wander blindly”). The poet of the Waltharius in a sense echoes Prudentius by first making avarice a major theme with Gunther’s lament in 869 (“instimulatus enim de te est, o saeva cupido,” “For he is prodded on by you, O savage greed”) and then going on to describe Gunther as “miserably blinded.” Indeed, Psychomachia 548-550 can be seen to be central to the entire Waltharius: “talia per populos edebat funera uictrix / orbis Auaritia, sternens centena uirorum / millia uulneribus uariis” (“Such deaths caused victorious Avarice among people all over the world, laying hundreds of thousands of men low with various wounds”). The pervasive theme of avarice throughout the poem points to the critical nature of the Waltharius on the present-day “mores” – in fact, J.O. Ward characterizes the Waltharius as project of, among other things, subverting the Germanic “warrior ethos, bent on treasure-oriented survival.” See J.O. Ward, “After Rome: Medieval Epic,” in Roman epic, ed. A.J. Boyle, London: Routledge, 1993, pp.261-293, at p. 271. For more in-depth discussion of the relation between Gunther’s characterization and Christian and Germanic virtues, see Scherello 1986. [JJTY] [Before getting to the specific connection between blindness and avarice (which you are convincing is the main point here), I wonder if it would be worth referring to the even more widespread notion of spiritual blindness in general (as found for example in Isidore's Allegoriae). JZ
Quaeso, viri fortes et pectora saepe probata,			Aeneid 2.348-349.: iuvenes, fortissima frustra/ pectora. . . ‘My men, hearts vainly valiant. . .’		DSSDDS	pectora saepe probata: Cf. the first description of Gunther’s men (476): “viribus insignes animis plerumque probatos” (“Distinguished for their strength, their courage often proved”). It is also reminiscent of the opening captatio benevolentiae (rhetorical device used to secure the goodwill of an audience) in Aeneas’ first speech in Aeneid 2.348-349: “iuvenes, fortissima frustra / pectora” (“my men, hearts vainly valiant”). Here Aeneas attempts to rally what is left of the Trojan force and put up resistance in their last stand. It is possible that the poet of the Waltharius wishes to evoke the same sense of urgency by mirroring this use of “pectora.” [JJTY]
Ne fors haec cuicumque metum, sed conferat iram.	945				SSDSDS
Quid mihi, si Vosago sic sic inglorius ibo?		Quid mihi equiv. to Quid videbor esse	Aeneid 11.793: patrias remeabo inglorius urbes. ‘I will return inglorious to the cities of my sires.’ 10.52-53.: positis inglorius armis/ exigat hic aevum. ‘Here, laying arms aside, let him live out his inglorious days.’ 4.660: sic, sic iuvat ire. ‘Thus, thus I go gladly.’ Statius, Thebaid 4.82-83.: ne rara movens inglorius iret/ agmina. . . ‘Lest with scant following he should go inglorious. . .’		DDSSDS	sic sic: For the pathetic force of the anaphora of “sic,” see Dido’s final speech in Virgil, Aeneid 4.660: “Sed moriamur, ait, sic sic iuvat ire per umbras” (“‘But let me die,’ she said, ‘thus thus I go gladly down to the shades!’”) Cf. the narrator’s bitter exclamation in 1404: “Sic sic armillas partiti sunt Avarenses!” (“Thus, thus the men have shared the treasure of the Avars!”) [JJTY]
Mentem quisque meam sibi vindicet. en ego partus		Sibi vindicet: “make his own” Partus equiv. to paratus	Liber II Macchabeorum 7.2: parati sumus mori magis quam patrias dei leges praevaricari. ‘We are ready to die rather than to transgress the laws of God, received from our fathers.’		SDDDDS	partus: For “partus” as an abbreviated form of “paratus” see also Walahfrid Strabo, Carmina 2.26: “Mente sumus parti sic tua iussa sequi” (“Thus we are mentally prepared to follow your commands”). [JJTY] The Walahfrid parallel seems very significant. For other instances, see the Novum Glossarium, column 376, lines 46-48. JZ
Ante mori sum, Wormatiam quam talibus actis				Worms	DSDSDS	talibus actis: After such defeats of his men, Gunther is too ashamed to return to Worms without either loot or vengeance. [JJTY]
Ingrediar. petat hic patriam sine sanguine victor?					DDDDDS	petat hic ... victor?: For the subjunctive used in indignant questions see J.B. Hofmann and A. Szantyr, Lateinische Syntax und Stylistik, Munich: C.H. Beck’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1965, vol. 2, 186.IV: “Der Konj. in konsultativen (deliberativen) und unwilligen (‘polemischen’) Fragen.” Cf. Gunther’s first speech to his men as he rouses them to leave with him (483): “Hic tantum gazae Francis deducat ab oris?” (“Shall he remove from Frankish lands so great a treasure?”) [JJTY]
Hactenus arsistis hominem spoliare metallis,	950				DSDDDS
Nunc ardete, viri, fusum mundare cruorem,					SDSSDS
Ut mors abstergat mortem, sanguis quoque sanguem,					SSSSDS	mors ... mortem, sanguis ... sanguem: The repetition of “mors” and “sanguis” in a different case is an instance of the figure polyptoton. “sanguem” is here used instead of “sanguinem” as a more archaic form, though see Althof 1905 and Beck 1908 ad loc., who remark that the original form should be “sanguen.” [JJTY]
Soleturque necem sociorum plaga necantis.'					SDDSDS
His animum dictis demens incendit et omnes			Aeneid 4.197: incenditque animum dictis atque aggerat iras. ‘With her words she fires his spirit and heaps high his wrath.’		DSSSDS	incendit: Gunther’s “firing up” of his men by his speech ties in to a rich tradition of describing the effects of pathetic rhetoric with metaphors of fire; see e.g. Cicero, De oratore 2.189-190 and Martianus Capella, De nuptiis Mercurii et Philologiae 5.428, where Lady Rhetoric is described as “flammatrix” (“flamer”). Cf. also Aeneid 4.197, where Iarbas is incensed by the words of Rumor concerning Dido and Aeneas: “Incenditque animum dictis atque aggerat iras” (“And he fires up his spirit because of the words and heaps up anger”). The poet of the Waltharius makes especially fruitful use of the metaphor by including similar metaphors of fire in Gunther’s speech: Gunther wishes to turn their burning desire for gold into one for revenge (950-951:“Hactenus arsistis hominem spoliare metallis, / Nunc ardete, viri, fusum mundare cruorem,” “Up to this point you burned to strip the man of treasures. / Now, men, burn to avenge the blood that has been spilled”). Gunther’s rhetoric, therefore, fires up his men and gives them a burning desire, whether of gold (see Gunther’s speeches in 481-483 and 516-517) or of vengeance, resulting in a frenzy without any regard of one’s own safety (955: “Fecerat immemores vitae simul atque salutis,” “He made them forget their life as well as their safety”). [JJTY]
Fecerat immemores vitae simul atque salutis.	955				DDSDDS
Ac velut in ludis alium praecurrere quisque			Aeneid 5.315-316.: haec ubi dicta, locum capiunt signoque repente/ corripiunt spatia audito limenque relinquunt,/ effusi nimbo similes. ‘This said, they take their place, and suddenly, the signal heard, dash over the course, and leave the barrier, streaming forth like a storm-cloud.’		DSDSDS	velut in ludis alium praecurrere quisque: This passage has a possible reminiscence of the footrace in Aeneid 5.315-344. The simile, however, strikes a highly effective tone of irony, since the only prize the winner of this race will receive, is to be the first to die. See Althof 1905, ad loc. for a convincing refutation of the claim that this passage provides proof of the existence of tournaments in the ninth century. [JJTY] [I touch on the topic of play more generally in my article--no need to reference it, but just FYI. JZ]
Ad mortem studuit, sed semita, ut antea dixi,		Ut antea dixi: cf. line 692 and note.			SDSDDS Elision: semita ut
Cogebat binos bello decernere solos.			Aeneid 11.218: iubent decernere ferro. ‘They command him to decide the issue by the sword.’		SSSSDS
Vir tamen illustris dum cunctari videt illos,					DSSSDS	959-961: Gunther’s original plan not to allow Walther to catch his breath has failed at this point. Cf. Gunther’s speech to his men in 722-724: “nec respirare sinamus” (“Let us ... give him no chance to catch his breath”). They had grossly underestimated Walther’s stamina, as their surprise in 829-30 already indicates: “Mirantur Franci, quod non lassesceret heros / Waltharius, cui nulla quies spatiumve dabatur” (“The Franks were stunned that Walter, to whom neither rest / Nor respite had been given, did not grow exhausted”). [JJTY]
Vertice distractas suspendit in arbore cristas	960	Distractas equiv. to detractas Cristas equiv. to galeam	Aeneid 10.834-835.: vulnera siccabat lymphis corpusque levabat/ arboris acclinis trunco. procul aerea ramis/ dependet galea. . .ipse aeger anhelans/ colla fovet. ‘He was staunching his wounds with water, and resting his reclining frame against the trunk of a tree. Nearby his bronze helmet hangs from the boughs. . .He himself, sick and panting, eases his neck.’ Eclogue 1.53: frigus captabis opacum. ‘You shall enjoy the cooling shade.’ 2.8: frigora captant. ‘They court the cool shade.’ Georgics 1.376: patulis captavit naribus auras. ‘With open nostrils he snuffs the breeze.’ Aeneid 9.812-813.: tum toto corpore sudor/ liquitur et piceum (nec respirare potestas)/ flumen agit, fessos quatit aeger anhelitus artus. ‘Then all over his body flows the sweat and runs in pitchy stream, and he has no breathing space; a sickly panting shakes his wearied limbs.’		DSSDDS	960-961: This description of Walther resting from battle is similar to that of Mezentius in Virgil, Aeneid 10.834-835. See also lines 978-979 and note. [JJTY]
Et ventum captans sudorem tersit anhelus.			Aeneid 10.834-835.: vulnera siccabat lymphis corpusque levabat/ arboris acclinis trunco. procul aerea ramis/ dependet galea. . .ipse aeger anhelans/ colla fovet. ‘He was staunching his wounds with water, and resting his reclining frame against the trunk of a tree. Nearby his bronze helmet hangs from the boughs. . .He himself, sick and panting, eases his neck.’ Eclogue 1.53: frigus captabis opacum. ‘You shall enjoy the cooling shade.’ 2.8: frigora captant. ‘They court the cool shade.’ Georgics 1.376: patulis captavit naribus auras. ‘With open nostrils he snuffs the breeze.’ Aeneid 9.812-813.: tum toto corpore sudor/ liquitur et piceum (nec respirare potestas)/ flumen agit, fessos quatit aeger anhelitus artus. ‘Then all over his body flows the sweat and runs in pitchy stream, and he has no breathing space; a sickly panting shakes his wearied limbs.’		SSSSDS

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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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