ty the hero whose
feats of arms it celebrates fought his greatest battle. It was written
in monkish Latin at any time between the eighth and ninth centuries, and
is connected with later versions of the Nibelungenlied, which contains
numerous allusions to it. Founded upon traditional materials collected
and edited by some gifted occupant of the cloister, it opens in the
grand manner by telling how the empire of the Huns had already lasted
for more than a thousand years, when Attila invaded the territory of the
Franks, ruled over by Gibicho. Gibicho, trembling for his throne, by the
advice of his counsellors determined to pay tribute and give hostages to
the terrible Hun; but as his son Gunther was too young to be sent as a
hostage, he put in his place a noble youth named Hagen, and paying the
invaders a great indemnity in treasure, thus secured the safety of his
kingdom. The Huns then turned their attention to the Burgundians, whose
king Herric had an only daughter, the beautiful Hildegund. Herric shut
himself up in the town of Chalons, and calling together his ministers
imparted to them his deliberations.

"Since the Franks, who are so much stronger than we, have yielded," he
said, "how can we of Burgundy hope to triumph against such a host? I
will give my daughter Hildegund as a hostage to the Huns. Better that
one should suffer than that the realm should be laid waste." The Huns
accepted Hildegund as a hostage, and with much treasure turned their
faces westward to the kingdom of Aquitaine, whose king, Alphere, had an
only son, Walthar, who was already affianced to Hildegund. He, too, had
to give up his son as hostage and pay tribute.

Although ruthless as an invader and cruel as a conqueror, Attila
displayed the utmost kindness to the children. He treated them in every
way as befitted their rank, and handing the girl over to the queen, had
the boys trained in martial exercises and intellectual arts, till in
a few years' time they easily surpassed all of the Huns in every
accomplishment that becomes a knight. So greatly did Attila's queen
trust the maiden, Hildegund, that she placed in her charge all the
treasures Attila had won in war. Life was pleasant for the youthful
hostages, but one day news came to the ear of Attila that Gibicho was
dead and that Gunther was his successor. Learning this, Hagen succeeded
in making his escape by night, and fearing that Walthar would follow his
example, Attila's queen suggested to