Waltharius1188English

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The following day, Walther and Hildegund set out from the mountains, taking the horses and arms of the defeated warriors (1188–1207)

The herald Lucifer said, as he climbed Olympus,
“The island Taprobane now sees the brilliant sun.”
It was the hour when chill Eos moistens earth. 1190
The young man went to strip the slaughtered of their arms
And byrnies, leaving tunics and the rest behind.
He took from them just arm-rings, belts with studs, and swords;
Their corselets also, these together with their helmets.
Four horses he weighed down with these, and his betrothed, 1195
Whom he had called, he placed upon the fifth; he rode
The sixth. He moved the barricade, then led the way.
While they rode on the pathway of the narrow gorge,
Surveying everything around with his sharp eyes,
With his keen ears he strained at every breath of wind 1200
If he could hear men whispering or on the march,
Or if the jingling bridles of proud warriors
Or maybe horses’ iron hooves were making noise.
When he saw all was calm, he placed the loaded steeds
In front, and bade the woman also ride ahead. 1205
He led the horse that bore the treasure-coffers, and
Clad in his usual armor dared to venture forth.

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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.