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Camalo is sent as a messenger to Walther, who offers to make Gunther a gift in return for allowing his passage (581–616)

The king commands a man named Gamalo to go,
Whom glorious France had sent as prefect to the town
Of Metz, and who had just arrived there, bearing gifts,
The day before the prince had heard about this matter.
With slackened reins he flew and like the flowing wind 585
He crossed the distance of the field, drew near the youth
And thus addressed him as he stood his ground: “Say, who
Are you, man? Where do you come from? Where are you heading?”
The great-souled hero answers, saying this: “I wish
To know, do you come on your own, or did someone 590
Dispatch you here?” Gamalo states with haughty tongue,
“Then know that Gunther, mighty king within the land,
Sent me to come and to inquire about your business.”
When he had heard these words, the young man made this statement:
“I am completely ignorant what need there is
To pry into the business of a traveler; 595
However, we are not afraid to make it known.
My name is Walter. I was born in Aquitaine.
My father sent me, still a little boy, to be
A hostage of the Huns. I lived there; now I have
Returned, and wish to see my homeland and dear people.” 600
Then he: “Through me the forenamed hero orders you
That you give up the horse and coffers and the girl.
If you comply at once, he grants you life and limb.”
But Walter in his confidence made this reply:
“I do not think that I have heard a smart man speak 605
More stupidly. You claim some prince or other offers
What he does not possess and likely never will.
Is he a god, that he can by his power grant
Me life? Has he laid hands on me? Thrust me in prison?
Or has he bound my hands behind my back with ropes? 610
But listen; if he nonetheless spares me this fight
(I see that he is here in arms, and comes for battle),
A hundred arm-rings made of bright red metal I
Will send, to honor thus the title of the king.”
Receiving this reply, the other man departed; 615
He told the lords what he has offered and brought back.

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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.