Waltharius1208English

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Hildegund perceives Gunther and Hagen approaching to attack; the king addresses Walther (1208–1236)

He had traversed almost a mile. But look! The girl,
Whose weaker sex forced her to have a timid spirit,
While glancing back saw two men coming rapidly 1210
Down from a hill who were advancing without pause.
She blanches and calls to the man who rides behind,
“Our end, delayed, is here. Lord, flee! They are approaching.”
He, turning quickly, knew the man he saw, and said,
“In vain my right hand would have conquered many foes, 1215
If in the end dishonor and not praise is mine.
To seek a noble death by wounds is better than,
My wealth lost, to survive, a lonely wanderer.
But I, who formerly was facing greater dangers,
Must not despair so of our chances for salvation. 1220
You, take the reins of Lion carrying the gold
And walking quickly go into the grove nearby.
But I prefer to make my stand here on the hillside,
Both greeting those who come and waiting for the outcome.”
The lovely girl obeys his words as he commands. 1225
He quickly grasps his shield and brandishes his spear,
While trying out how the strange horse responds in combat.
The mad king, charging with his vassal next to him
From out of weapon’s reach bellows most haughtily,
“Cruel foe! You are deluded in your effort! Yes, 1230
Your hiding place is far away, from which, just like
A bitch, you used to gnash your rabid teeth and bark.
Now, if you wish, come fight on open ground. See if
By chance the end can be compared to the beginning.
I know that you have summoned Fortune with a bribe, 1235
And therefore you now scorn surrender or retreat.”

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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.