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Waltharius

laid aside so that he might renew the contest¹ —for they had all put aside their spears and shields to pull the rope. But, just as the mighty hero excelled in bravery, so did he also in speed. As he caught up with Trogus in a run, he sliced the man's calves with his sword point, thus slowing him down, and passed him to steal his shield.² But Trogus, though weakened by the wound, nevertheless, seething in his mind, saw a huge stone, which he snatched up and suddenly hurled at his enemy as he strove onward, and it split his own shield from top to bottom.

1035

But the hide stretched over the frame held the broken wood together. And soon, though on bended knee, Trogus emptied the green house³ and burning with emotion terrified the air with his swings. Though he could not display his manliness⁴ through deeds, still he showed his manly manner in heart and voice. And, failing to see the ghosts smiling, he boldly began: "O, if only I had my trusty shield! Luck has given you victory over me, not famed manliness. Here take my sword to match my shield!"⁵

1044

Then the hero, grinning too,⁶ said: "I am coming!" And, flying at Trogus in a run, detached his right hand in mid-swing.⁷ But, when the athlete⁸ was balancing a second blow by his ear and was eager to open the doors for his spirit to leave, suddenly Tanastus along with the king—they had recovered their weapons—appeared, threw his shield in the way, and warded off the wound from his comrade.

1050

Then indignantly Walter turned his anger toward this man and tore his shoulder from its joint and sliced through his side with iron, spilling his guts. "Farewell!" Tanastus whispered faintly as he fell forward.⁹ As he fell, Trogus disdained to produce prayers¹⁰ but incensed his friend's conqueror with bitter abuse—perhaps through manly spirit, perhaps he was simply desperate. Then Alpharides said: "Die and take this message down to Tartarus. Tell your comrades that you avenged them." This he spoke and put a golden torque about his neck. Look! The friends lie slain together in the dust, striking the gory earth with twitching heels.¹¹

1 The word "agonem" ("contest") is Greek in origin; the poet could have found it in Servius ( On the Aeneid 3.704, 5.370; On the Georgics 3.19). This is another instance the athletic metaphor.

2 This is another example of the thievery topos.

3 This is a kenning for "sheath".

4 The Latin " vir tutem" could also be translated "virtue" or "courage", and it is echoed in the Latin by the word play in "habitum... vir ilem" ("manly manner").

5 This taunt recalls Walter's jibe: "Come get my shield!" (840).

6 The "too" may be because ghosts smiled at Trogus in the previous paragraph.

7 This is strangely like what happens to Walter at the end.

8 This refers to Walter, continuing athletic metaphor.

9 The depiction of Tanastus' final goodbye is sympathetic, especially since he was seeking to protect his friend.

10 The word “preces” (“prayers”) could also be translated "pleas".

11 This description is harsh and elicits sympathy for the two friends. The poet may have been inspired by the model of Vergil's Nisus and Euryalus episode in book 9 of the Aeneid or of Statius' Hopleus and Dymas episode in book 10 of the Thebaid .

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