s: He struck off near Haltoie. As you began,


s: Besiege her walls, though all your life it take,


s: And thus avenge the knights the felon slew."


s: At this the Emperor, bending low his head,


s: Twists his mustache and plucks his hoary beard,


s: Answering his nephew neither yea nor nay.


s: The Franks keep silence--all save Ganelon


s: Who rose and stood before the King, and spake


s: Bold words and haughty:--"Put not faith in fools,


s: Nor me nor others; follow your own rede!


s: Since King Marsile makes offer to become


s: Your man, with hands joined; furthermore will hold


s: Spain as a fief from you; yea, will receive


s: Our law as his law, he who counsel gives


s: Such proffer to reject, cares not a whit


s: What death we die. No counsel take of pride;


s: Let pass the fools and listen to the wise."


s: And now Duke Naimes arose: his beard and hair


s: As white as drifted snow. In all the court


s: No better vassal stood; and to the King:


s: "Have you marked well the words Count Ganelon


s: In answer spoke but now? His plan is wise;


s: Follow it then. This King Marsile in war


s: Is overcome, his strongholds all pulled down;


s: By warlike engines are his walls destroyed,


s: His cities burned, his men subdued;--when now


s: He for your mercy prays, foul sin it were


s: To press him harder. Since he, furthermore


s: In truth no longer this great war should rage."


s: The French all cry:--"Duke Naimes has spoken well."


s: "Seigneurs Barons, which of you shall we send


s: Duke Naimes responds:--"I, with your leave will go;


s: Give me the glove and staff."--"Nay," quoth King Carle,


s: "A sage you are in council, well I know:


s: By this mustache and by this beard of mine,


s: Back to your seat, since none hath summoned you."


s: Marsile?"--Rollánd responds:--"Behold me here!"


s: "--You shall not, by my troth!" cries Olivier,


s: "Your pride too fierce, and courage far too hot;


s: I fear some misadventure from your zeal.


s: Should our King grant me but his leave, 'tis I


s: Will go!"--The King exclaimed:--"Be silent both--


s: Nor you, nor he, shall yonder set your foot!


s: Ay, by this hoary beard of mine, I swear,


s: Not one of my twelve Peers shall thither go."


s: And to the King he says: "Let your Franks stay,


s: And they have suffered much of toil and pain.


s: Give me the glove and staff, and I will go


s: And speak my mind to that proud Saracen."


s: "Back to your seat on yonder _pallie_ white


s: Nor speak another word, save by command!"


s: Then said the Emperor:--"Chevaliers of France,


s: One who can bear my words to King Marsile!"


s: Rollánd rejoins:--"Let my step-father go;


s: The French say:---"Well can he fulfill the task:


s: Thus spoke the King:--"Sire Ganelon, draw near:


s: Receive the glove and staff--you heard the Franks


s: Pass judgment, and on you their choice has fallen."


s: Said Ganelon:--"All this Rollánd has done!


s: My life-long, never will I love him more,


s: Nor Olivier, his comrade and his friend,


s: Nor the twelve Peers, for that they love him well.


s: Here in your presence, I defy them all!"


s: The King replied:--"Too wroth you are. At once


s: You shall depart.--I spoke it."--"Sire, I go,


s: Although for me there is nor shield nor guard:


s: Basile had none, Bazan, his brother, none!


s: Who thither goes, may ne'er return. Nay more,


s: Have one fair son, Baldewin, the goodliest child


s: Who [if he live] will be a noble knight.


s: To him I leave my fiefs and honors: guard


s: Him well, for him these eyes no more shall see."


s: Carle answers:--"Much too tender is your heart;


s: Count Ganelon, at this, rose full of wrath,


s: And, casting from his neck his zibelline


s: Of fur, stood forth, clothed in his silk _blialt._


s: Gray were his eyes and very fierce his face;


s: Graceful his form--his breast, of mighty mold.


s: "Rollánd," he said, "wherefore this foolish wrath?


s: Since thy step-father, 'tis well known, I am,


s: For this thou choosest me to seek Marsile!


s: 'Tis well. If God but grant me safe return,


s: I such ill fortune hurl on thee, shall smite


s: Thy life from now and ever with a curse."


s: Rollánd replies:--"Mad words and proud I hear.


s: All know it well, I care for no man's threat;


s: But since a wise man must this message bear,


s: If the King wills it, in your place I go."


s: "Thou shalt not take my place," said Ganelon;


s: Thy lord; and since the King hath given me


s: Command this service I should take, I shall


s: Will I with fuel feed my heart's fierce ire."


s: Rollánd, on hearing this, began to laugh.


s: When Ganelon saw the laughter of Rollánd,


s: It seemed as though his breast would burst with wrath;


s: His brain was well-nigh maddened by his rage.


s: Unto the Count he cried:--"I love you not;


s: This judgment have you caused on me to fall!


s: Right Emp'ror, in your presence, lo! I stand,


s: The King presents to him his right hand glove;


s: But Ganelon would well have ne'er stood there,


s: For ere he touched the royal glove, it fell.


s: The French exclaim:--"What bodes this omen? Shall


s: "_Seigneurs_," said Ganelon, "you will hear of this!"


s: Said Ganelon:--"Give me dismissal, Sire!


s: Since I must go, my time is precious." Then


s: Adjured the King:--"For Jesus' sake and mine!"


s: And blessed, deliv'ring up the brief and staff.


s: Count Ganelon his own house seeks, to make


s: Equipment and prepare his arms: his choice


s: The best that he can find. With golden spurs


s: He clasps his heels; belts to his side his sword,


s: Murgleis, and mounts his courser Tachebrun.


s: There many a chevalier you might have seen


s: In tears, who said: "Baron, such evil fate


s: Was yours. You, in the King's Court so long, and there


s: Revered as liege-man high!--The man who judged


s: That you should go, not Carle himself shall cure


s: Or save; the Count Rollánd bethought him not


s: Of that high lineage whence you sprang!"--And they


s: Entreat:--"My lord with you take us along!"


s: So many brave!--Lords, to sweet France ye will go.


s: My friend and peer, and my son Baldewin whom


s: Ye all know--guard him--hold him for your lord."


s: The Count departs and goes upon his way.


s: The Count rides on beneath tall olive trees


s: And joins the messengers of King Marsile.


s: To meet him Blancandrin has checked his speed:


s: With skillful words each to the other spake.


s: Blancandrin said: "A wond'rous man is Carle


s: Who conquered Pouille and overran Calabre,


s: Crossed the salt-seas to England, and from thence


s: Gained tribute for _Saint-Pierre_. In this our land


s: What claims he?" "Such his might," said Ganelon,


s: "No man shall ever match with him in arms."


s: Said Blancandrin: "The Franks are noble, but


s: Those Dukes, those Counts harm much their lord, who give


s: To him such counsels, wronging him and all."


s: Ganelon answered: "No man, save Rollánd,


s: Know I, who should this blame incur; it was


s: But yestermorn, the King sat in the shade,


s: When Rollánd came before him, all encased


s: In glittering arms, fresh from the siege and sack


s: And thus his uncle greeted: 'Sire, behold!


s: I lay the crowns of all Kings at your feet.'


s: Swift punishment should overtake such pride,


s: Were he but slain, all lands might rest in peace."


s: Blancandrin said: "Most cruel is Rollánd


s: Who makes all nations cry for mercy thus,


s: And will o'er all the lands his power impose.


s: For such attempt?" Ganelon said: "The French!...


s: They love him so, they fail him ne'er in aught.


s: Mules, chargers, silken robes and garnitures,


s: He gives the King himself all that he craves;


s: From here to the far East, all lands must fall!"


s: Until together had they pledged their faith


s: To snare Rollánd and lead him to his death.


s: Thus on they rode through vales and mountain-paths,


s: Till Sarraguce was reached. Beneath a yew


s: They lighted: a faldstool by shady pines


s: O'erhung, was spread with Alexandrine silk.


s: There sat the King who ruled all Spain, and stood


s: Who neither spoke nor breathed, to hear the news;


s: Blancandrin stepped before the Pagan King


s: With Ganelon the Count held by the wrist.


s: We keep. We bore your message to Carl'magne;


s: Both hands he lifted, praying to his God;


s: No other answer gave.--He sends you here


s: Learn from his lips if it be peace or war."


s: Responds Marsile: "Then let him speak. We hear!"


s: Then Ganelon, who well had weighed his thoughts,


s: Begins to speak as one of knowledge vast,


s: And says unto the King: "By God be saved,


s: The Glorious God we must adore! Carl'magne


s: The Baron, sends his message to Marsile:


s: The holy Christian Faith if you receive,


s: One half of Spain he grants to you in fief.


s: These terms refuse, and your fair Sarraguce


s: He will besiege, and drag you forth in chains


s: A felon's doom."--Quivering with rage and fear,


s: The King Marsile, who held a gold-winged dart,


s: Aims it at him; but others stayed his hand.


s: The King Marsile turned pale, and full of wrath,


s: Brandished the shaft of his winged dart on high.


s: And quick unsheathed two fingers' breadth of blade,


s: Saying: "Sword of mine you are most fair and bright;


s: As long as by me borne in this King's court,


s: Ere a high price for you the best have paid!"


s: The Pagans cry in haste: "Check this affray."


s: The wisest Pagans urged the wrathful King,


s: Till, yielding, on his throne he has resumed


s: His seat. The Kalif said: "Great wrong you brought


s: You should have hearkened to his words." "This wrong,"


s: But for the gold that God hath made all wealth


s: Stored in this land, I would not leave untold,


s: While I have power of speech, the message sent


s: By Carle, the mighty Emperor, through me


s: Ganelon on the ground his mantle dropped


s: But from his sword the Count would never part;


s: And his right hand still grasps the golden hilt.


s: And said:--"All idle is this wrath of yours.


s: This is the message of King Carle of France;


s: Hear his command:--"Receive the Christian law"--


s: One half of Spain he grants to you in fief,


s: And to Rollánd, his nephew, he will give


s: Will prove.) To this agreement should you not


s: Consent, 'gainst Sarraguce his host will lay


s: The siege; by force you will be tak'n and bound,


s: And brought to Aix, the royal seat. Hope not


s: To ride on palfrey, nor on steed, on mule


s: Female or male;--on a vile beast of burden


s: You shall be thrown, and doomed to have your head


s: Struck off.--Behold the Brief our Emp'ror sends!"


s: With his right hand he gives it to the King.


s: White with exceeding wrath, the King Marsile


s: Has brok'n the seal, let fall the wax on earth,


s: And, glancing on the Brief, has read the script:


s: "I learn from Carle who holds France in his sway,


s: That I should bear in mind his ire and grief:


s: Bazan--Basile, his brother, they whose heads


s: I took on Mount Haltoïe, his anger's cause.


s: Or else can he ne'er be my friend."--Then spake


s: To King Marsile his son:--"This Ganelon,"


s: Said he, "speaks madly, and such wrong hath done,


s: That he should live no more. Now give him up


s: To me, that I to him quick justice deal!"


s: Ganelon, hearing this, unsheathed his sword,


s: And set his back against a branching pine.


s: Came thither too the gray-haired Blancandrin


s: With Turfaleu his son and heir; with them


s: The Kalif, brother and good friend of King


s: To serve us he has pledged his faith."--The King


s: Replied:--"Go, bring him hither."--Then he took


s: And brought him to the grove before the King;


s: And lo! was woven there the traitor's plot.


s: The King Marsile said:--"Fair Sire Ganelon,


s: In my great wrath I poised my lance to strike.


s: This gift of sables take as your amends:


s: More than five hundred marks their weight in gold.


s: Before to-morrow-eve the boon is yours."


s: May God, if 'tis his will, your grace reward."


s: Marsile spake thus:--"Sire Ganelon, believe,


s: I crave to hear. Is he not old, his prime


s: Has he not passed? Men tell me he has lived


s: More than two hundred years; his body dragged


s: To march on battle-fields?"--Then Ganelon


s: Alive who sees and knows him but will tell


s: I could not praise and honor him enough,


s: For no man lives so valiant and so good.


s: His valor ... who on earth could ever tell?


s: His soul God with such virtue has illumed,


s: I'd rather die than quit my noble lord!"


s: So old and so white-haired; his age, I know,


s: Two hundred years and more. His limbs he toiled


s: By swords and spears; so many kings compelled


s: Ganelon answered, "while his nephew lives:


s: No vassal like him 'neath the starry arch;


s: The twelve Peers held by Carle so dear, behold!


s: The vanguard form of twenty thousand knights;


s: With them King Carle is safe, and fears no man."


s: On knowing Carle so old and so white-haired!


s: Methinks he passed two hundred years; by arms


s: In battle he received from trenchant swords!


s: Conquered or slew!--When will he cease to war?"


s: "--Never!"--said Ganelon, "while lives Rollánd:


s: From here to farthest east no knight his peer


s: E'er lived: his comrade too, Count Olivier,


s: Is brave; and the twelve Peers, so dear to Carle,


s: The van-guard make of twenty thousand knights.


s: Carle may have peace, and fears no living man!"


s: "Fair Sire," said King Marsile to Ganelon,


s: "Than mine no fairer people can you see:


s: Four hundred thousand knights I can array


s: In combat 'gainst King Carle and 'gainst his Franks."--


s: Ganelon says:--"The time has not yet come,


s: Yea, and great loss your people then will have.


s: But leave this folly, and to wisdom hold;


s: Offer the King of treasures such a store


s: That all the French will marvel at the gift.


s: Back to Sweet France will Carle ere long repair.


s: His rear-guard, notice well, will rest behind:


s: There will Rollánd, his nephew, be, I trow,


s: With Olivier the brave and courteous knight.


s: Trust to my counsel and both Counts are doomed,


s: Nay, Carle shall see his lofty pride cast down


s: And never more shall covet war with you."


s: What means have I to kill the Count Rollànd?"


s: Ganelon answered:--"This can I well say:


s: The King will reach the wider pass of Sizre


s: And leave his rear behind, where great Rollànd


s: Eke Olivier, whom both he greatly trusts,


s: Will be the chiefs of twenty thousand Franks.


s: On these your hundred thousand Pagans throw,


s: And let them straightway make an onset fierce:


s: Stricken and slain shall be the men of France;


s: I say not that of yours none shall be slain,


s: But follow up this fight with like attack,


s: And Count Rollánd cannot escape them both,


s: Then will you deeds of chivalry achieve,


s: And free your life from war for evermore."


s: "Who could contrive that there Rollánd should die,


s: Would strike off Carle's right arm. Then on the field


s: That wond'rous host in death shall lie. No more


s: Thereafter could King Carle such forces raise,


s: And the Great Land at last would rest in peace."


s: Marsile, this hearing, kissed him on the neck,


s: And then began his treasures to display.


s: Exclaimed Marsile:--"What further [shall I say?]


s: Swear if Rollánd be there that he shall die!"


s: Thus answered Ganelon:--"Your will be done."


s: The treason swore; thus forfeited himself.


s: An ivory-faldstool there was set. Marsile


s: The order gives to bring a book before it,


s: "If in the rear-guard Count Rollánd be found,


s: He will attack him there with all his men;


s: And, if it may be, there Rollánd shall die."


s: Ganelon answers:--"May [our treaty thrive!]"


s: Marsile a Knight; with cheerful smile he said


s: To Ganelon:--"Take this my sword; no man


s: E'er drew its peer; the hilt alone is worth


s: More than a thousand marks.--For love I give it,


s: But lend us help against the Count Rollánd,


s: And show us how to find him in the rear."


s: "--So shall it be," replies Count Ganelon;


s: Whereon they kissed each other's chin and face.


s: "My helmet take--None better have I seen,


s: But help us now against _Marchis_ Rollánd


s: That we may throw dishonor on his name."


s: "--Well shall it be," responded Ganelon,


s: And then they kissed each other's lips and cheek.


s: And now behold, comes Bramimunde the Queen;


s: "Sire Ganelon," said she, "I love you much,


s: You, by my sire and all our men esteemed.


s: With jacinths and with amethysts and gold


s: Adorned, worth more than all the wealth of Rome;


s: The Count receives and puts them in his hose.


s: The King calls up Malduit, his treasurer:


s: "Hast thou prepared my gifts for Carle the King?"


s: Malduit responds:--"Yea sire, the whole are there:


s: Seven hundred camels with their loads of gold


s: The noblest ever lived beneath the stars."


s: And told him:--"Thou hast wisdom and art brave.


s: By that great law ye hold the best, beware


s: Thy heart fails not. Rich treasures will I give


s: To thee: ten mules laden with purest gold


s: From Araby; each year shall bring the like.


s: Meantime of this great city take the keys,


s: And in my name present this wealth to Carle.


s: If in the pass or mount I find the knight,


s: I swear to give him combat to the death."


s: Says Ganelon:--"Methinks too long I stay."--


s: He mounts his horse and goes upon his way.


s: The Emperor nears his realm, and reaching now


s: A hundred years a desert; there he waits


s: By the great land of Spain. One morning when


s: The early dawn was brightening into day,


s: He stood, surrounded by the Count Rollánd,


s: The valorous Olivier, and the Duke Naimes,


s: Who, stepping forth, with most perfidious tongue


s: Began to speak:--"Hail! God save Carle the King!--


s: Great treasures follow through my care conveyed


s: With hostages a score. So, guard them well.


s: The King Marsile the brave bears not the blame


s: Myself three hundred thousand men in arms


s: Beheld, with hauberks clad, and helmets clasped,


s: Swords by their sides, hilts bright with gold inlaid,


s: Who with him crossed the sea, not to submit


s: To Christ's law which they will not hold nor keep.


s: But scarce five leagues had they sailed on the main,


s: When wind and tempest rising, down they sank.


s: All perished!... Never shall you see them more.


s: Had but the Kalif lived, I would have brought


s: Him hither. For the Pagan King, know well,


s: Ere you shall see this first month pass away,


s: Your vassal will he be, with joinèd hands,


s: And hold the realm of Spain a fief from you."


s: Thus said the King:--"Thanks be to God for this!


s: Well have you done, and great your recompense


s: Shall be."--He bids a thousand trumpets sound...


s: The camp is struck:--the Franks then load their mules


s: And set forth on their journey to Sweet France.


s: King Carle the Great has made a waste of Spain,


s: The cities violated, the castles seized.


s: Now saith the King his war is at an end,


s: And toward Sweet France the Emperor directs


s: His steed.... The Count Rollánd the pennon white


s: Has planted on a hill, high 'gainst the sky.


s: In all the country round the Franks their tents


s: Are pitching, while the Pagans ride along


s: The mighty vales. In hauberk clad--their backs


s: In armor cased; with helmets clasped--sword girt


s: On thigh--shields on their necks--each lance in rest,


s: Within a thicket on the mount they halt.


s: Four hundred thousand men there wait the dawn.


s: The French yet know it not. Ah God! what woe!


s: Passes the day; the shades of night have fallen.


s: Carle the great Emp'ror sleeps; and in a dream


s: He marches through the deep defiles of Sizre.


s: In his right hand his ashen spear he holds,


s: Which suddenly Count Ganelon has snatched


s: From him, and shook and brandished in such wise


s: That, breaking, high tow'rd Heav'n the splinters flew.


s: Carle sleeps--naught from his slumber can arouse him.


s: A bear his right arm caught with such sharp fangs


s: From toward Ardennes he saw a leopard come,


s: Which in his dream, made on him fierce attack;


s: But then a greyhound dashes from the hall


s: Unto Carle's rescue, swift of leap and bound;


s: First from the treach'rous bear the hound tears off


s: An ear, then with the leopard combat makes.


s: "See!" cry the French, "what battle fierce is here."


s: But they know not which of the two will win


s: The field--Carle still asleep naught can awake.


s: Vanished the night, and the clear dawn appeared.


s: With noble mien the Emperor mounts his steed,


s: And 'mid the host one thousand trumpets sound:


s: "_Barons_," said Carle:--"You see those deep defiles


s: And narrow passes--judge who in the rear


s: Will take command." Said Ganelon:--"Rollánd,


s: My step-son, whom among your valiant knights


s: You prize the most." Carle hearing this, upon


s: Him sternly looked:--"Thou art the devil's self,"


s: Said he, "or else a mortal rage has stung


s: Thy heart! Say, who before me in the van


s: Will march? 'Twill be Ogier de Dannemarche!


s: When hears the Count Rollánd the lot has fallen


s: Upon himself, as loyal knight he speaks:--


s: "You, sire step-father, dear and well beloved


s: Must be, since you have named me for the rear;


s: Nor shall Carl'magne, the King of France, lose aught,


s: Nor palfrey, nor fleet steed, if knowledge true


s: I have, nor male nor female mule that man


s: Can ride, nor beast of burden, horse or ass,


s: Unreckoned for with these good swords of ours."


s: Said Ganelon:--"The truth you speak, I know."


s: When hears Rollánd the rear shall be his lot,


s: To his step-father thus in wrath he speaks:--


s: Thou thought'st to see me here let fall the glove


s: As thou erst dropped the staff before the King!"


s: The Count Rollánd [addressing thus Carl'magne:]


s: "Give me the bow that now your hand doth hold,


s: For, to my knowledge, none will e'er throw blame


s: Your right hand glove, when he received the staff."


s: Oft plucks and twists the beard on lip and cheek,


s: Nor can his eyes restrain their falling tears.


s: A vassal in the court. He said to Carle:


s: "You hear him; greatly wroth is Count Rollánd;


s: The rear guard is assigned to his command;


s: No baron have you that with him would make


s: Exchange. Give him the bow and your hand has bent,


s: And look for those who best may lend him help."


s: Carle gives the bow which Count Rollánd receives.


s: The Emperor calls to Rollánd and says:--


s: "Fair sire, my nephew, truly you must know


s: Keep them; in their good help your safety lies."


s: Then said the Count:--"Of this will I do naught!


s: May God confound me, ere my race I shame;


s: But twenty thousand valiant knights I keep!


s: Through the defiles you can in safety pass


s: And fear no harm from man while yet I live."


s: Rollánd sits on his steed, and nigh him rides


s: There came Sansun, Anseïs the fierce; there came


s: The Archbishop said:--"I, by my head, will go!"


s: "--And I with you," exclaimed the Count Gualtier;


s: "Rollánd's own man am I, and follow him!"


s: From all are chosen twenty thousand knights.


s: The Count Rollánd calls up Gualtier de l'Hum:


s: "One thousand Franks of France, our land, array,


s: And with them cover heights and passes, that


s: Responds Gualtier:--"This am I bound to do


s: For you."--Forthwith one thousand Franks of France


s: O'errun each height and pass.--None shall descend


s: Despite ill news, ere seven hundred swords


s: Who rules Belferne, met them with battle fierce.


s: High are the mounts, the valleys murky-dark--


s: The rocks are black, the gorges terrible.


s: The French toiled through them painfully; their march


s: Was heard for fifteen leagues; then the Great land


s: Reaching, they viewed Gascuigne, their lord's estate,


s: And sweet remembrance felt of honors, fiefs,


s: Not one is there but weeps from tenderness;


s: But more than all is Carle distressed; he mourns


s: His nephew left in the defiles of Spain....


s: By pity moved he cannot choose but weep.


s: The twelve Peers staid in Spain. A thousand score


s: Of Franks are under their command, to whom


s: Unknown is wavering fear or dread of death.


s: Carl'magne to France returns--within his cloak


s: He hides his face--Naimes, riding near, inquired:


s: "What thought, O King, weighs now upon your heart?"--


s: "Who questions me doth wrong. So sad am I


s: I can but mourn. Sweet France by Ganelon


s: Shall be destroyed. An angel in my sleep


s: Appeared, and, dreaming, I beheld my lance


s: Broken up within my hand by him who named


s: My nephew for the rear guard ... and I left


s: Should I lose him, I ne'er should find his peer!"


s: Carle the great King, no more restrains his tears:


s: One hundred thousand Franks great sympathy


s: Give him, with strangest fear for Count Rollánd.


s: Vile Ganelon, the wretch, this treason wrought!


s: He, from the Pagan King received rich gifts


s: Lions and camels, horses, mules. Behold,


s: King Marsile summons all his Counts from Spain,


s: His Viscounts, Dukes and Almazours; with these


s: The Emirs, and the sons of noble Counts;


s: Four hundred thousand gathered in three days,


s: And prays before him.--They then madly ride


s: Throughout the land, o'er mountain and o'er vale.


s: At last they see the gonfalons of France;


s: It is the rear-guard of the twelve compeers:


s: Nor will they fail to give them battle now.


s: Hastes to the front the nephew of Marsile,


s: Goading the mule that bears him, with a staff.


s: "Fair King, till now I served you well; for you


s: Endured hard pain and grief.--The only fee


s: I ask is this:--To strike Rollánd! I swear


s: To give him death with my good trenchant sword,


s: Carle then will yield,--the Franks, surrender all;


s: No more in all your life will you have war."


s: The King Marsile bestows on him the glove.


s: The nephew of Marsile holds in his grasp


s: The glove, and to the King with haughty pride


s: Speaks:--"Fair Sire King, your gift I dearly prize;


s: Choose you for me eleven of your Knights,


s: And I will go and combat the twelve Peers."


s: He was the brother of the King Marsile.--


s: "Fair nephew, we shall go, both you and I;


s: In battle side by side, we shall engage.


s: The rear of Carle's great host is doomed to die!"


s: Still speaks he there not unlike vassal true


s: Who would not for the gold of heav'n be base:


s: "If there I find Rollànd, we meet in fight.


s: I am the third; now choose ye out the fourth."


s: See you the spurring Malprimis de Brigal,


s: Faster on foot than runs the fastest steed?


s: Before Marsile in a loud voice he cries:


s: If there I find Rollànd, by me he dies."


s: Of handsome form, with proud and cheerful face,


s: When on his steed he vaults, well doth he show


s: With what great pride his armor's mail is borne.


s: Were he but Christian, 'twere a baron true.


s: Before Marsile he stands and loudly cries:


s: If there I face Rollànd his doom is sure,


s: Eke Olivier and the twelve peers, all die.


s: The Franks shall perish in despair and shame.


s: Carl'magne is old and dotes. O'erwhelmed, at last


s: He will give up this waging war, and Spain


s: Forever shall be kept beneath our sway."


s: The King Marsile on him bestows great thanks.


s: Steps forth. All Spain can show no greater wretch.


s: Before Marsile he makes a boastful vaunt:


s: Full twenty thousand men with lance and shield.


s: If I Rollànd find there, I pledge his death;


s: No after-day shall dawn but Carle shall weep."


s: From elsewhere comes Turgis de Turteluse.


s: He is a count, and o'er this city wields


s: His sway; hate unto Christians has he vowed,


s: And stands with all the rest before Marsile.


s: He thus addressed the king: "Ne'er be dismayed!


s: More worth Mohammed than Saint Pierre of Rome;


s: But serve him well, the honor of the field


s: Where none can guard him. Mark this sword of mine;


s: Its blade, so good and long, in desperate fight


s: Will cross with Durendal; and you will hear


s: The old King Carle will have both grief and shame,


s: And never more on earth will wear a crown."


s: Before Marsile among the throng he cries:


s: Nor shall Rollánd, if there, bear off his head,


s: Nor Olivier, chief of the other knights;


s: The twelve peers, all are doomed to perish there.


s: The French shall die, and France become a waste.


s: Of such good vassals Carle will see the loss."


s: His friend; both wretches, traitors, villains are....


s: Thus spake Marsile: "Come forth, Seigneurs; ye both


s: Me there to lead my host." Both answer: "King,


s: Will we assault. No power can the twelve peers


s: From death defend against our trenchant swords


s: Whose blades shall redden with hot blood. The French


s: Are doomed to death and Carle to doleful life.


s: France, the Great Land, shall through our arms become


s: Your realm. Come, King, to see this verified;


s: The Emperor's self a captive we'll present."


s: Who holds the country toward the distant sea.


s: His beauty such, all ladies are his friends;


s: Not one looks on him but to smile, nor can


s: Restrain her laughing joy. No Pagan else


s: More glorious deeds of chivalry achieved;


s: Pressed through the crowd, he cries above the rest


s: To martyrdom the twelve Peers are condemned.


s: See my good sword with gold-embossèd hilt,


s: I pledge my faith it will be dyed in blood.


s: The French shall perish, France be steeped in shame,


s: And Carle the old, with beard all blossom-white,


s: Shall see no day uncursed by grief and wrath.


s: Before one year we shall have conquered France


s: And slept beneath the roofs of Saint-Denis."


s: At this, the Pagan king bowed low his head.


s: Next you can see Chernubles de [Val-neire].


s: His hair so long, it sweeps the earth, and he


s: Can, for his sport, lift greater weight than bear


s: Four hundred loaded mules.--In his [far-land]


s: They say--the sun ne'er shines, corn cannot grow,


s: The rain falls not, the dew wets not the soil;


s: No stone there but is black, and it is said


s: By some that in that land the demons dwell.


s: Thus said Chernubles:--"My sword hangs at my belt;


s: At Ronceval I will dye it crimson! should


s: Nor strike him down, then trust to me no more;


s: This my good sword shall conquer Durendal,


s: The French shall die, and France must be destroyed."


s: At these words, rally King Marsile's twelve Peers,


s: Arming themselves beneath a grove of pines.


s: The Pagans put their Moorish hauberks on;


s: The greater part are triply lined; they lace


s: Their helms of Sarraguce, gird to their thighs


s: Swords of Vienna steel; bright are their shields;


s: Their lances from Valence; their banners white


s: And blue and crimson. Mules and sumpter-beasts


s: Are left behind. They mount their battle steeds,


s: And forward press in closely serried lines.


s: Clear was the day, and brilliant was the sun;


s: A thousand clarions sound their cheering blasts


s: So loud, the French can hear--. Says Olivier:


s: "Rollànd, companion, hearken! Soon, methinks,


s: We shall have battle with the Saracens!"


s: To which Rollánd: "God grant it may be so.


s: A man should for his Lord and for his cause


s: Distress endure, and bear great heat and cold,


s: Lose all, even to his very hair and skin!


s: 'Tis each man's part to strike with mighty blows,


s: That evil songs of us may ne'er be sung.


s: The wrong cause have the Pagans, we the right.


s: No ill example e'er shall come from me."


s: On his right hand looks o'er a grassy vale,


s: And views the Pagans' onward marching hordes;


s: Then straight he called his faithful friend Rollánd:


s: "From Spain a distant rumbling noise I hear,


s: So many hauberks white and flashing helms


s: I see!--This will inflame our French men's hearts.


s: Who named us for this post before the King."


s: "Hush! Olivier!"--the Count Rollánd replies,


s: "'Tis my step-father, speak no other word."


s: From whence Spain's Kingdom he descries, and all


s: The swarming host of Saracens; their helms


s: So bright bedecked with gold, and their great shields,


s: Their 'broidered hauberks, and their waving flags,


s: He cannot count the squadrons; in such crowds


s: They come, his sight reached not unto their end.


s: Then all bewildered he descends the hill,


s: Rejoins the French, and all to them relates.


s: Than eyes e'er saw upon the earth; at least


s: One hundred thousand warriors armed with shields,


s: In their white hauberks clad, with helmets laced,


s: Lances in rest, and burnished brazen spears.


s: Battle ye will have, such as ne'er was before.


s: French Lords, may God inspire you with his strength!


s: Stand firm your ground, that we may not succumb."


s: The French say: "Cursed be those who fly the field!


s: Ready to die, not one shall fail you here."


s: Olivier said: "So strong the Pagan host;


s: Our French, methinks, in number are too few;


s: Companion Rollánd, sound your horn, that Carle


s: May hear and send his army back to help."


s: Rollánd replies:--"Great folly would be mine,


s: And all my glory in sweet France be lost.


s: No, I shall strike great blows with Durendal;


s: To the golden hilt the blade shall reek with blood.


s: Unto the Pass, for all are doomed to die!"


s: "Rollànd, companion, sound your olifant,


s: That Carle may hear and soon bring back the host.


s: With all his Baronage the king will give


s: Us held!"--Replied Rollánd:--"May God fore-fend


s: That for my cause my kindred e'er be blamed,


s: Or that dishonor fall upon sweet France.


s: Nay, I will deal hard blows with Durendal,


s: This my good sword now girt unto my side


s: Whose blade you'll see all reeking with red blood.


s: Those felon Pagans have for their ill fate


s: Together met--yea, death awaits them all."


s: If Carle who passes through the mounts shall hear,


s: To you I pledge my word, the French return."


s: Answered Rollánd:--"May God forbid!--Ne'er be


s: Cause me to blow my horn, to bring disgrace


s: I'll strike one thousand seven hundred blows,


s: And Durendal all bleeding shall you see.


s: Those Spanish Moors are doomed to certain death."


s: Olivier said:--"To me there seems no shame;


s: I have beheld the Moors of Spain; they swarm


s: O'er mountains, vales and lands, hide all the plains;


s: Great is this stranger host; our number small."


s: Rollánd replies:--"The more my ardor grows.


s: God and his [blessed] angels grant that France


s: Lose naught of her renown through my default.


s: The more we strike the more Carle's love we gain!"


s: Both knights of wond'rous courage--and in arms


s: And mounted on their steeds, they both will die


s: Ere they will shun the fight. Good are the Counts


s: And proud their words.--The Pagan felons ride


s: "One moment, look! Our foes so close, and Carle


s: Afar from us--you have not deigned to blow


s: Your horn! If came the king, no hurt were ours.


s: Cast your eyes toward the great defiles of Aspre;


s: There see this most unhappy rear-guard. [Those


s: Who here fight, ne'er shall fight on other fields."]


s: Rollànd retorts:--"Speak not such shameful words.


s: Within his breast. There firm shall we remain;


s: The combat and the blows from us shall come."


s: Now when Rollánd the battle sees at hand,


s: He shows. He calls the French and Olivier:


s: "Companion, friend, pray, speak of this no more.


s: The Emperor who left his French in trust


s: To us, has chos'n those twenty thousand men.


s: Right well he knows none has a coward's soul.


s: A man should suffer hurt for his good lord,


s: Endure great cold or scorching heat, and give


s: Even to his flesh and blood--Strike with your lance,


s: Carle's gift. If here I die, may he who wins


s: It, say:--'Twas once the sword of a brave knight."


s: Turpin the Archbishop from another side,


s: Spurring his courser, mounts a hill and calls


s: The French around. This sermon to them speaks:


s: "_Seigneurs Barons_, Carle left us here: for him,


s: In saving Christendom, the Faith of Christ


s: Uphold. There, battle will ye have, for there


s: Confess your sins, and for God's mercy pray!


s: For your soul's cure I absolution give....


s: Will fall, and places find in Paradise!"


s: The French alight and fall upon their knees;


s: The Godly Archbishop grants them benison,


s: Giving for penance his command to strike.


s: The French arise. They stand assoiled and quit


s: Of all sins, blessed by Turpin in God's name.


s: On swift destriers they mount, armed cap-a-pie


s: As Knights arrayed for battle. Count Rollánd


s: Calls Olivier:--"Companion, sire, full well


s: Betrayed us all, and guerdon rich received


s: In gold and silver; well the Emp'ror should


s: Of us, but swords will make the reck'ning good."


s: Through the defiles of Spain hath passed Rollánd


s: Mounted on Veillantif, his charger swift


s: And strong, bearing his bright and glitt'ring arms.


s: On goes the brave Rollánd, his lance borne up


s: Skyward, beneath its point a pennon bound,


s: Snow-white, whose fringes flap his hand.


s: Fair is his form, his visage bright with smiles.


s: The French with joy, him as their champion, hail.


s: He on the Heathens throws a haughty glance,


s: His French, and to them speaks with courteous tone:


s: "_Seigneurs Barons_, march steadily and close.


s: These Pagans hither came to find a grave;


s: We here shall conquer such great spoil to-day


s: As never yet was gained by Kings of France."


s: Even as he spoke the word, the armies met.


s: Said Olivier:--"No care have I to speak,


s: Since you deigned not to blow your olifant,


s: All hope of help from Carle for you is lost.


s: He knows no word of this; the fault lies not


s: In him, nor are yon Knights to blame--ride on


s: And gallop to the charge as best you can.


s: _Seigneurs Barons_, recoil not from the foe,


s: In God's name! bearing ever this in mind,


s: Hard blows to deal and hard blows to endure


s: Forget we not the war-cry of King Carle!"


s: At this word all the French together shout.


s: Who then had heard the cry, "Montjoie!" had known


s: Right onward; God! with what an onset fierce!


s: Deeply they spur their steeds for greater speed;


s: They burn to fight. What else can they desire?


s: The Saracens stand firm and nothing fear....


s: Behold the Franks and Pagans hand to hand....


s: The nephew of Marsile--his name Aëlroth,


s: Forward the first of all spurs on his horse


s: Against our French, hurling forth insulting words:


s: "To-day, French villains, ye will joust with us;


s: Who was to guard you, has betrayed you; mad


s: Must be the King who left you in the pass.


s: So now the honor of sweet France is lost,


s: And Carle the great shall lose his right arm here."


s: Rollànd heard.--God! what pain to him! He drives


s: His golden spurs into his courser's flanks,


s: And rushes at full speed against Aëlroth;


s: His shield he breaks, dismails the hauberk linked;


s: Cleaving his breast, he severs all the bones,


s: And from the spine the ribs disjoint. The lance


s: Forth from his body thrusts the Pagan's soul;


s: The Heathen's corse reels from his horse, falls down


s: Upon the earth, the neck cloven in two halves.


s: Rollánd still taunts him:--"Go thou, wretch, and know


s: Carle was not mad. Ne'er did he treason love,


s: And he did well to leave us in the pass.


s: To-day sweet France will not her honor lose!


s: Strike, Frenchmen, strike; the first sword-stroke is ours;


s: We have the right, these gluttons have the wrong!"


s: Then comes a Duke whose name is Falsarun;


s: He holds: no viler wretch lives under Heaven.


s: Vast is his forehead, and the space between


s: Seeing his nephew dead, in grief he bounds


s: Forth from the serried ranks, and shouts aloud


s: The Pagan war-cry, furious 'gainst the French.


s: "To-day," he cries, "at last sweet France shall lose


s: Her fame!"--When Olivier heard this, in wrath


s: He pricks with golden spurs his charger's flanks,


s: And, like true baron, lifts his arm to strike,


s: Shivers the Pagan's shield, his hauberk tears


s: Apart. The pennon's folds pass through his breast


s: As with the shaft he hurls him from the selle,


s: A mangled corpse;--here lies he on the ground.


s: Says proudly:--"Wretch, to me thy threats are vain!


s: Strike boldly, Franks! The victory shall be ours!


s: Montjoie!" he shouts, the battle-cry of Carle.


s: A distant land, is there.--The Pagan host


s: He calls;--"The field is ours with ease: the French


s: Nor Carle shall rescue one; all perish here.


s: To-day, they all are doomed to death!" Turpin


s: The Archbishop heard him; lived no man on earth


s: His horse with both his spurs of purest gold,


s: And 'gainst him rushes with tremendous force.


s: The shield and hauberk split; and with a stroke


s: Corsablis lifeless drops across the path;


s: Him, though a corpse, Turpin addresses thus:


s: "Thou, coward Pagan, thou hast lied! Great Carl


s: Our help; and Frenchmen know not how to fly.


s: As for thy fellows, we can keep them here;


s: I tell you, each this day shall die.--Strike, Franks,


s: Yourselves forget not. This first blow, thank God,


s: Is ours! Montjoie!" cries he, to hold the field.


s: Whose good shield now was not a denier worth:


s: The crystal boss all broken, and one half


s: Fall'n on the ground. Down to the flesh Gerin


s: His hauberk cleaves, and passes through his heart


s: The brazen point of a stout lance. Then falls


s: The Pagan chief and dies by that good blow;


s: And Sathanas bears off the wretched soul.


s: Gerier, his comrade, strikes the Amurafle,


s: Breaks his good shield, his hauberk white unmails,


s: Plants in his heart a spear's steel point with such


s: Good aim, one blow has pierced the body through;


s: And his strong lance-thrust hurls him dead to earth.--


s: He splits the shield with painted flowers and gold


s: Embossed. The strong-mailed hauberk shelters not,


s: As he is pierced through liver, heart and lungs.


s: For him may mourn who will--death-struck he falls:


s: "That is a Baron's stroke!" the Archbishop cries.


s: Anseïs gives his steed the rein, and charges


s: The golden boss asunder breaks the shield,


s: Rips up the hauberk double-linked; so true


s: The thrust, that all the steel passed through his breast.


s: With this one blow the shaft has struck him dead.


s: Rollánd exclaimed: "The stroke is of a Knight!"


s: Spurs deep his horse, and casting loose the rein,


s: Breaks down the buckler fastened to his throat


s: And rends his gorget-mail; full in the breast


s: The lance strikes deep and passes in between


s: The collar bones; dead from the saddle struck


s: He falls.--And Turpin says: "Ye all are lost!"


s: His thrust hits hard the leather of the shield,


s: Effacing its bright colors red and white,


s: Breaks in his hauberk's sides, and plunges deep


s: Within his heart a strong and trenchant spear,


s: From off the flying steed striking him dead.


s: This done, he says:--"No hope for you remains!"


s: Splits down his shield, shivers his coat of mail


s: In shreds and through his bosom drives a lance.


s: Dead 'midst one thousand Saracens he drops.


s: Of their twelve Peers now ten have breathed their last:


s: Chernuble--Margariz, the Count, survive.


s: Most valiant Knight is Margariz. 'Mid all


s: Beauteous, strong, slender, quick of hand. He spurs


s: The boss of purest gold his shield breaks down,


s: Then at his side a pointed lance he aims;


s: But God protects him, for the blow ne'er reached


s: The flesh. The point grazed only, wounding not.


s: And sounds his horn to rally his own men.


s: The battle rages fierce. All men engage.


s: Rollánd, the dauntless, combats with his lance


s: As long as holds the shaft. Fifteen good blows


s: It dealt, then broke and fell; now his good sword,


s: Loved Durendal, he draws, spurs on his steed


s: 'Gainst Chernubles, splits his bright helm adorned


s: With gems; one blow cleaves through mail-cap and skull,


s: Cutting both eyes and visage in two parts,


s: And the white hauberk with its close-linked mail;


s: Of beaten gold, still deeper goes the sword,


s: Cuts through the courser's chine, nor seeks the joint.


s: Upon the verdant grass fall dead both knight


s: And steed. And then he cries: "Wretch! ill inspired


s: To venture here! Mohammed helped thee not....


s: Wretches like you this battle shall not win."


s: The Count Rollànd rides through the battle-field


s: And makes, with Durendal's keen blade in hand,


s: Ah! had you then beheld the valiant Knight


s: Heap corse on corse; blood drenching all the ground;


s: His own arms, hauberk, all besmeared with gore,


s: And his good steed from neck to shoulder bleed!


s: Of the twelve Peers not one deserves reproach,


s: And all the French strike well and massacre


s: Cries the Archbishop: "Well done, Knights of France!


s: Montjoie! Montjoie! It is Carle's battle cry!"


s: Olivier grasps the truncheon of his lance,


s: Spurs through the storm and fury of the fight,


s: Breaks down his shield with flowers and gold embossed,


s: Thrusts from their orbs his eyes; his brains dashed out


s: Are crushed and trampled 'neath the victor's feet;


s: With seven hundred men of theirs he fell.


s: The Count next slew Turgis and Estorgus;


s: But now the shaft breaks short off by his hand.


s: Then said Rollánd: "What mean you, _Compagnon_?


s: In such a fight as this 'tis not a staff


s: Where now that sword called Halteclere, with hilt


s: Of gold and crystal pommel?" "I lack time


s: Lord Olivier then his good sword unsheathed,


s: For which Rollánd entreated him so much,


s: And showed it to his friend with knightly pride;


s: Strikes down a Pagan, Justin de Val-Ferrée,


s: Whose head is severed by the blow; cuts through


s: Th' embroider'd hauberk, through the body, through


s: The saddle all with studs and gold embossed,


s: And through the back-bone of the steed. Both man


s: And steed fall on the grass before him, dead.


s: Rollánd exclaims: "Henceforth, you are indeed


s: My brother! These, the strokes loved by King Carle!"


s: And echoes round the cry: "Montjoie! Montjoie!"


s: The Count Gerin sits on his horse, Sorel,


s: And his companion Gerier, on Passe-Cerf,


s: They loose the reins, and both spur on against


s: A Pagan, Timozel. One strikes the shield,


s: The other strikes the hauberk;--in his heart


s: The two spears meet and hurl him lifeless down.


s: By which of them the swifter blow was struck.--


s: With his own hand gave death to Siglorel


s: Th' Enchanter who once entered hell, led there


s: By Jupiter's craft. Turpin said:--"Forfeit paid


s: For crime!"--"The wretch is vanquished," cried Rollánd,


s: "My brother Olivier, such blows I love!"


s: The combat paused not. Franks and Pagans vie


s: In dealing blows; attacking now, and now


s: Defending. Splintered spears, dripping with blood


s: So many; o'er the field such numbers strewn:


s: Of banners torn and shattered gonfalons!


s: So many valiant French mowed in their prime,


s: Whom mothers and sweet wives will never see


s: Again, nor those of France who in the Pass


s: Await them! Carle for these shall weep and mourn.


s: But what avails? Naught can he help them now.


s: To sell his kin. Ere long for this he lost


s: Both limb and life, judged and condemned at Aix,


s: There to be hanged with thirty of his race


s: Who were not spared the punishment of death.


s: Th' Archbishop, deals more than a thousand blows;


s: The twelve Peers dally not upon the field,


s: While all the French together fight as if


s: One man. By hundreds and by thousands fall


s: The Pagans: none scapes death, save those who fly


s: Whether they will or no, all lose their lives.


s: And yet the French have lost their strongest arms,


s: Their fathers and their kin they will ne'er see


s: Again, nor Carle who waits them in the Pass.


s: Meantime in France an awful scourge prevails:


s: Wind, storm, rain, hail and flashing lightning bolts


s: Conflict confusedly, and naught more true,


s: The earth shook from Saint Michiel-del-Peril


s: Unto the [sea-port] of Guitzand; no house


s: Whose walls unshaken stood; darkness at noon


s: Shrouded the sky. No beam of light above


s: Save when a flash rips up the clouds. Dismayed


s: Beholders cry:--"The world's last day has come,


s: The destined end of all things is at hand!"


s: Unwitting of the truth, their speech is vain....


s: 'Tis dolour for the death of Count Rollánd!


s: The French [strike] hard; they strike with all their force.


s: In multitudes--by thousands die their foes;


s: Survive. [Turpin] says:--"Brave are all our men;--


s: Of France 'tis writ true vassals have our Kings."


s: Seeking their friends, they overrun the field.


s: Their eyes are filled with tenderness and tears


s: For their dear kindred they so fondly loved....


s: Now King Marsile with his great host appears....


s: Surrounded by the mighty host he brought,


s: In twenty squadrons mustered and arrayed.


s: Bright shine the helmets strewn with gold and gems,


s: And shields and hauberks graved. They sound a charge


s: With seven hundred clarions sending forth


s: Loud blasts throughout the land--Thus said Rollánd:


s: The traitor, Ganelon, has sworn our death....


s: His treason is too sure; the Emp'ror Carle


s: For this vile crime will take a vengeance deep.


s: Ere this unknown to man. There, I will fight


s: With my good Durendal; you, friend, will strike


s: With Halteclere--Those noble swords we bore


s: Throughout so many lands; such combats won


s: By them, vile strains must never chant their deeds."


s: When the French see the Pagan cohorts swarm


s: Rollánd and the twelve Peers to guard their lives.


s: Unto them now the Archbishop speaks his mind:


s: Fly not the field, for God's sake, that brave men


s: Sing not ill songs of you! Far better die


s: In battle. Doomed, I know, we are to death,


s: And ere this day has passed, our lives are o'er.


s: But for one thing ye can believe my word:


s: For you God's Paradise stands open wide,


s: And seats await you 'mid the blessèd Saints."


s: These words of comfort reassure the French;


s: All in one voice cry out:--"Montjoie! Montjoie!"


s: Of Ganelon, and sealed the treacherous bond


s: "I will," said he, "put your great France to shame


s: And from the Emperor's head shake off the crown!"


s: Mounted on Barbamouche that faster flies


s: Than hawk or swallow on the wing, he spurs


s: His courser hard, and dropping on its neck


s: The rein, he strikes Engelier de Gascuigne;


s: Hauberk nor shield is for him a defense:


s: Deep in the core the Pagan thrusts his spear


s: So mightily, its point comes out behind,


s: And with the shaft o'erturns him on the field


s: A corse;--he cries. "Fit for destruction these!


s: Strike, Pagans, strike, and let us break their lines!"


s: The French cry: "God! to lose so brave a Knight!"....


s: The Count Rollánd calls Olivier: "You know,


s: Companion, sire, Engelier is no more....


s: No better Knight had we"--The Count replies:


s: "God grant that I avenge him well!" He drives


s: His golden spurs into his charger's flanks;


s: And waving Halteclere's blood dripping blade,


s: The Pagan he assails, and deals a blow....


s: O'erthrown is Climorin. The fiends of hell


s: Bear off his soul. The Knight then slays the Duke


s: They rise no more to fight. Then said Rollánd:


s: "Wroth is my sire, and by my side achieves


s: Renown! by such good blows Carl's love is gained.


s: Strike, Chevaliers! strike on!"--he cries aloud.


s: Marsile a Knight; lord of four hundred ships.


s: There is no sailor but swears by his name;


s: Who there the shrine of Solomon profaned,


s: And slew before the Fonts the Patriarch;


s: 'Twas he, received Count Ganelon's vile oath


s: And gave him with his sword a thousand marks;


s: Faster than falcon in its flight his steed


s: Named Graminond. He sharply spurs his flanks


s: And rushes 'gainst the mighty Duke Sansun,


s: Breaks down his shield--the hauberk rends, and thrusts


s: Within his breast the pennon of the flag;


s: The shaft o'erthrows him from the saddle, dead.


s: "Strike Pagans! strike, for we shall conquer them!"


s: The French say:--"God! what Baron true we lose!"


s: When Count Rollánd sees Sansun lifeless fall,


s: You may well know what grief was his. He spurs


s: More worth than precious gold he lifts to strike


s: With all his might; gold studded helm, head, trunk,


s: Hauberk asunder cleaves; the blow, e'en through


s: The gold boss'd saddle, strikes the courser's back,


s: Killing both horse and man. Blame or approve


s: Who may. The Pagans say:--"Hard is this blow!"


s: Retorts Rollánd:--"For yours no pity can


s: I feel--With you the vaunting and the wrong!"


s: Was there, Malquidant, son of king Malcud;


s: Outshines all others in the sun's bright rays.


s: Mounted upon his horse named Salt-Perdut,


s: He aims a blow at Anseïs' shield, and cuts


s: His hauberk rives asunder, side from side,


s: And through his body pass both point and shaft.


s: The Count is dead.--His last breath spent and flown.


s: The French say:--"Baron, such great woe for you!"


s: The Archbishop Turpin rides across the fields;


s: As he, and showed such prowess in his deeds.


s: He to the Pagan:--"May God send all ills


s: To thee, who slew the knight my heart bewails!"


s: Turpin spurs hard his good steed 'gainst the wretch;


s: One blow strikes down his strong Toledo shield:


s: The miscreant dead upon the green sward falls.


s: Elsewhere stands Grandomie who is the son


s: A steed named Marmorie, than flying bird


s: More swift. Loosening the rein, and spurring deep,


s: To smite Gerin with all his force he rides;


s: Torn from the neck which bears it, shattered falls


s: The purple shield, through the rent mail he drives


s: The whole blue pennon in his breast. Gerin


s: Drops lifeless by this blow, against a rock.


s: The Pagan also slays Gerier, his friend,


s: Who holds Valence and fiefs along the Rosne,


s: Their triumph, but how many fall of ours!


s: Hearing the Frenchmen's sobs, the Count Rollánd


s: Grasps in his hand his sword, all reeking blood.


s: His mighty heart nigh breaking with his grief,


s: Cries to the foe:--"May God all evils send


s: On thee! him hast thou slain for whom thou shalt


s: Most dearly pay!--" He spurs his flying steed....


s: Conquer who may--these two fight hand to hand.


s: A wise and valiant knight was Grandonie,


s: Virtuous and fearless vassal. 'Mid his way


s: Encountering Count Rollánd, though never seen


s: Before, at once he knew 'twas he, as well


s: Awe-struck, despite himself, he vainly tries


s: To fly, but rooted to the spot he stays.


s: The Count Rollánd smites him so skillfully,


s: He splits in two the nazal, helm, nose, mouth,


s: And teeth, the body and mailed-armor, then


s: Hews through the golden selle, both silver-flaps;


s: With a still deeper stroke the courser's back


s: Is gashed. So both are slain past remedy.


s: But say the French:--"Well our defender strikes."


s: Marv'lous the battle, and the tumult fierce;


s: The French of strength and fury full, raise high


s: Their swords: backs, ribs and wrists are slashed; the flesh


s: Cut through rent garments to the quick; along


s: The verdant soil the red blood runs in streams.


s: The Pagans cry:--"We cannot more endure!


s: Great land, Mohammed curse thee!--More than all


s: This people bold."--Not one who does not cry


s: "Marsile! ride on, O King, thy aid we need!"


s: A battle fierce and wonderful!--Hard strike


s: The French with glittering lance, and there you might


s: Have seen what miseries man can suffer: Mowed


s: And heaped in bloody mounds, all gasping out


s: Their lives, some on their backs, some on their teeth--


s: By the French lances forced, they fly the field.


s: And, bidding all his horns and trumpets blow,


s: Rides forward, and his whole van rides with him.


s: The vilest wretch among his men, sunk deep


s: In crimes and shame, who has no faith in God,


s: Sainte Marie's son; as black as melted pitch


s: His face; more fond of blood and treason foul


s: Than of the gold of all Galice. None saw


s: Him laugh or play; for courage and rash deeds


s: He pleased the vile Marsile whose dragon flag


s: He bears. No pity can the Archbishop feel


s: For him, and at his sight he craves to try


s: Far better die than not to give him death.


s: The Archbishop gives the signal for the fight;


s: He rides the horse he captured from Grossaille,


s: Of wondrous fleetness, light-hoofed, slender-limbed;


s: Thigh short; with broad and mighty haunch; the flanks


s: Are long, and very high his spine; pure white


s: His tail, and yellow is his mane--his ears


s: Are small--light brown his head. This paragon


s: Of all the beasts of earth has not his peer.


s: The Archbishop, baron-like, spurs on the horse,


s: Full bent upon the encounter with Abisme;


s: He gains his side and hard he strikes his shield


s: Glittering with gems, topaz and amethyst,


s: Crystals and carbuncles, which to him gave


s: Nor mercy shows; 'gainst such a blow avails


s: The shield but little; sheer from side to side


s: Passes the blade ... dead on the place he falls.


s: At such exploit amazed, the French exclaim:


s: "The archbishop's crosier in his hand is safe!"


s: The Count Rollánd calls Olivier: "With me,


s: Companion, sire, confess that 'mong brave knights


s: The archbishop upon earth or under Heav'n


s: Has not his peer in casting spear or lance."


s: At this the French once more resume the fight.


s: Hard are the blows, rough is the strife--Meantime


s: The Christian host in greatest sorrow mourn.


s: Whoever could this fight describe? Rollánd


s: And glorious deeds--The slain can counted be;


s: In charts and briefs their numbers are enrolled:


s: More than four thousand fell, so says the Geste.


s: Four times the French arms were victorious,


s: But on the fifth, a cruel fate they met;


s: The knights of France found there a grave, except


s: Three more whose lives God saved; yet those brave knights,


s: Ere falling, their last breath will dearly sell.


s: Spoke thus: "Companion fair and dear, for God


s: Whose blessing rest on you, those vassals true


s: And brave lie corses on the battle-field:


s: Look! We must mourn for France so sweet and fair,


s: From henceforth widowed of such valiant knights.


s: Carle, 'would you were amongst us, King and friend!


s: To bring him news of this sore strait of ours!"


s: I know; for us is better death than shame."


s: Rollánd says;--"I will blow mine olifant,


s: And Carle will hear it from the pass. I pledge


s: My word the French at once retrace their steps."


s: Said Olivier:--"This a great shame would be,


s: One which to all your kindred would bequeathe


s: A lifetime's stain. When this I asked of you,


s: You answered nay, and would do naught. Well, now


s: With my consent you shall not;--if you blow


s: Your horn, of valor true you show no proof.


s: Already, both your arms are drenched with blood."


s: Responds the Count:--"These arms have nobly struck."


s: "The strife is rude," Rollánd says--"I will blow


s: My horn, that Carle may hear."--Said Olivier:--


s: "This would not courage be. What I desired,


s: Companion, you disdained. Were the king here,


s: Safe would we be, but yon brave men are not


s: To blame"--"By this my beard," said Olivier,


s: "I swear, if e'er I see again sweet Aude,


s: My sister, in her arms you ne'er shall lie."


s: Your anger, friend!"--"Companion, yours the fault;


s: True courage means not folly. Better far


s: Is prudence than your valiant rage. Our French


s: Their lives have lost, your rashness is the cause.


s: And now our arms can never more give Carle


s: Their service good. Had you believed your friend,


s: Amongst us would he be, and ours the field,


s: Rollànd, your valor brought ill fortune, nor


s: Shall Carle the great e'er more our help receive,


s: A man unequaled till God's judgment-day.


s: Here you shall die, and dying, humble France, ...


s: This day our loyal friendship ends--ere falls


s: The Archbishop heard their strife. In haste he drives


s: Into his horse his spurs of purest gold,


s: And quick beside them rides. Then chiding them,


s: Says:--"Sire Rollánd, and you, Sire Olivier,


s: In God's name be no feud between you two;


s: No more your horn shall save us; nathless 'twere


s: Far better Carle should come and soon avenge


s: Our deaths. So joyous then these Spanish foes


s: Would not return. But as our Franks alight,


s: Find us or slain or mangled on the field,


s: They will our bodies on their chargers' backs


s: Lift in their shrouds with grief and pity, all


s: And neither wolves, nor swine, nor curs shall feed


s: On us--" Replies Rollánd:--"Well have you said."


s: Drew a deep breath, and blew with all his force.


s: High are the mountains, and from peak to peak


s: The sound re-echoes; thirty leagues away


s: 'Twas heard by Carle and all his brave compeers.


s: Cried the king:--"Our men make battle!--" Ganelon


s: Retorts in haste:--"If thus another dared


s: To speak, we should denounce it as a lie."


s: The Count Rollánd in his great anguish blows


s: The crimson blood, and his swoll'n temples burst.


s: Yea, but so far the ringing blast resounds;


s: Carle hears it, marching through the pass, Naimes harks,


s: The French all listen with attentive ear.


s: "That is Rollánd's horn!--" Carle cried, "which ne'er yet


s: Was, save in battle, blown!--" But Ganelon


s: Replies:--"No fight is there!--you, sire, are old,


s: Your hair and beard are all bestrewn with gray,


s: And as a child your speech. Well do you know


s: Rollánd's great pride. 'Tis marvelous God bears


s: Without your leave. The Pagans left their walls


s: And fought Rollánd, your brave Knight, in the field;


s: With his good blade he slew them all, and then


s: Washed all the plain with water, that no trace


s: Of blood was left--yea, oftentimes he runs


s: After a hare all day and blows his horn.


s: Doubtless he takes his sport now with his peers;


s: And who 'neath Heav'n would dare attack Rollánd?


s: None, as I deem. Nay, sire, ride on apace;


s: Why do you halt? Still far is the Great Land."


s: Rollánd with bleeding mouth and temples burst,


s: Still in his anguish, blows his olifant;


s: Carle hears it, and his Franks. The king exclaims:


s: "That horn has a long breath!" Duke Naimes replies:


s: To arms! Your war-cry shout, your kinsman save!


s: Plainly enough you hear his call for help."


s: Carle orders all the trumpeters to sound


s: The march. The French alight. They arm themselves


s: With helmets, hauberks and gold hilted swords,


s: Bright bucklers, long sharp spears, with pennons white


s: And red and blue. The barons of the host


s: Leap on their steeds, all spurring on; while through


s: The pass they march, each to the other says:


s: "Could we but reach Rollánd before he dies,


s: What deadly blows, with his, our swords would strike!"


s: But what avails?--Too late they will arrive.


s: The ev'n is clear, the sun its radiant beams


s: Reflects upon the marching legions. Spears,


s: Hauberks and helms, shields painted with bright flowers,


s: Gold pennons all ablaze with glitt'ring hues.


s: Burning with wrath the Emperor rides on;


s: The French with sad and angered looks. None there


s: But weeps aloud. All tremble for Rollánd.


s: The King commands Count Ganelon be seized


s: And given to the scullions of his house.


s: Their chief, named Bègue, he calls and bids: "Guard well


s: This man as one who all my kin betrayed."


s: Him Bègue received, and set upon the Count


s: One hundred of his kitchen comrades--best


s: And worst;--they pluck his beard on lip and cheek;


s: Each deals him with his fist four blows, and falls


s: On him with lash and stick; they chain his neck


s: As they would chain a bear, and he is thrown


s: There guarded so until to Carle brought back.


s: High are the mountains, gloomy, terrible,


s: The valleys deep, and swift the rushing streams.


s: In van, in rear, the brazen trumpets blow,


s: Rides on the Emp'ror; filled with wrath and grief,


s: Follow the French, each sobbing, each in tears,


s: Praying that God may guard Rollánd, until


s: They reach the battle-field. With him what blows


s: Will they not strike? Alas! what boots it now?


s: Too late they are and can not come in time.


s: Carle in great anger rides--his snow-white beard


s: O'erspreads his breast-plate. Hard the Barons spur,


s: That he is far from their great chief, Rollánd,


s: O God! What Knights those sixty left by him!


s: Nor King nor captain better ever had....


s: The Count Rollánd casts o'er the mounts and vales


s: A glance: French corses strew the plains in heaps;


s: To all your souls may He grant Paradise,


s: And there may they on beds of heavenly flowers


s: Repose!--No better vassals lived! so long


s: Have ye served me! So many lands for Carle


s: Has nurtured you!--O land of France, most sweet


s: Your lives. Be God your aid, who ne'er played false!


s: If other death comes not, of grief I die.


s: Come, sire companion ... come to fight again!"


s: Soon to the field returns the Count Rollánd


s: He fights. Faldrun del Pin he cleaves in half


s: With twenty-four among the bravest foes.


s: As run wild deer before the chasing hounds,


s: Before Rollánd the Pagans flee.--"Well done!"


s: The Archbishop cries, "Such valor a true Knight


s: Should have, when mounted, armed, on his good steed!


s: Else, not four deniers is he worth: a monk


s: In cloister should he be, and spend his life


s: In praying for our sins!...." "Strike," said Rollànd,


s: "No quarter!"--At the word the French renew


s: The combat ... yet the Christian loss was great.


s: When soldiers on the battle-field expect


s: No quarter--desperate they fight; and thus


s: The French, like lions, fiercely stand at bay.


s: Like a true baron King Marsile rides forth


s: Upon his steed Gaignon, and spurs him on


s: His buckler cleaves, his hauberk with a blow


s: Shatters, and lays him dead upon the field.


s: Then fall beneath the Pagan King, Ivoire


s: The Count Rollánd is nigh and cries aloud:


s: So foully slay'st my friends! But ere we part,


s: Shalt learn the name my good sword bears."--He strikes


s: The King a true Knight's stroke, and his right hand


s: Lops at the wrist; then Turfaleu the fair,


s: Marsile's own son, beheads. The Pagans say:


s: "Aid us, Mahum! Avenge us, Gods of ours,


s: On Carle, who brought such villains to our land,


s: As rather than depart will die."--And each


s: To each cries: "Let us fly!"--Upon the word,


s: A hundred thousand turn in sudden flight.


s: Whoever calls them, ne'er will they return.


s: 'Tis he who held Carthage, Alferne, Garnaille,


s: Chief of the Blacks, a thick-nosed, large-eared race.


s: Of these he more than fifty thousand leads,


s: Who ride on proudly, full of wrath, and shout


s: The Pagan war-cry.--"Here," said Count Rollànd,


s: "Here shall we fall as martyrs. Well I know


s: Who sells not dear his life. Barons, strike well,


s: Strike with your burnished swords, and set such price


s: On death and life, that naught of shame shall fall


s: On our sweet France. When Carle, my lord, shall come


s: Upon this field, and see such slaughter here


s: Then will he breathe a blessing on his Knights."


s: When sees Rollánd this tribe accursed, more black


s: Than ink, with glist'ning teeth, their only gleam


s: Of white, he said:--"Truly I know to-day


s: We die! Strike, Frenchmen, that is my command."


s: And Olivier, "Woe to the laggards," cries.


s: These words the French hearts fired to meet the fray.


s: The Pagans, when they mark how few the French,


s: Are filled with pride and comfort, and they say


s: One to the other:--"Their King Carle is wrong!"--


s: Urging him hard with pricking spurs of gold,


s: Drives his white hauberk-links into his heart,


s: And through in front came forth the pointed lance.


s: The Kalif cries:--"That blow struck home! Carlmagne,


s: For thy mishap, left you to guard the Pass!


s: That he has wronged us, little may he boast.


s: Your death alone for us a vengeance full!"


s: Olivier knows his death-wound. In his hand


s: He grasps Halteclere's bright steel, and strikes a blow


s: Well aimed upon the Kalif's pointed helm;


s: He scatters golden flow'rs and gems in dust.


s: His head the trenchant blade cleaves to the teeth,


s: And dead the Kalif falls.--"Pagan accursed,"


s: He cries, "not here shalt thou say Carle lost aught;


s: In thine own land, that thou hast reft from Carle


s: One denier's worth, or me or others harmed!"


s: And then he called Rollànd unto his aid.


s: No vengeance can suffice him; Baron-like


s: He strikes amid the press, cuts shields embossed


s: And ashen shafts, and spears, feet, shoulders, wrists


s: And breasts of horsemen. He who saw him thus


s: Heap on the ground, would of a vassal true


s: Remembrance keep. Nor does he now forget


s: The rallying cry of Carle:--"Montjoie!" he cries


s: Loudly and clear; then calls Rollánd, his friend


s: And compeer:--"Sire companion, stand by me!


s: This day our breaking hearts forever part!"


s: Pale, livid, colorless; pure crimson blood


s: Drips from his body, and streams on the earth.


s: "God!" cried Rollánd, "I know not what to do,


s: Companion, friend, thy courage was betrayed


s: To-day; nor will such courage e'er be seen


s: In human heart. Sweet France, oh! how shalt thou,


s: As widow, wail thy vassals true and brave,


s: Humbled and wrecked! The great heart of King Carle


s: Will break!" He spake and on his saddle swooned.


s: Behold Rollánd, there, fainting on his steed,


s: While Olivier stands wounded to the death.


s: So great the loss of blood, his troubled eyes


s: Can recognize. Encount'ring there Rollánd,


s: A dreadful blow, which to the nose-plate cleft,


s: And split the crest in twain, but left the head


s: Untouched. Rollánd at this, upon him looks,


s: And softly, sweetly asks:--"Sire _compagnon_!


s: Was that blow meant for me? I am Rollánd


s: Could you by any chance, defiance give?"


s: Said Olivier:--"I hear your speech, but see


s: You now no more. May God behold you, friend!


s: I struck the blow; beseech you, pardon me."


s: Rollánd responds:--"I am not wounded--here


s: With such great tenderness and love they part.


s: His vacant eyes roll wildly in his head,


s: And all his hearing and his sight are lost.


s: Dismounting, on the ground he lies, and smites


s: His breast, aloud confessing all his sins;


s: With joined hands tow'rd Heaven lifted up


s: To bless Carl'magne, sweet France, and far beyond


s: All other men, Rollánd, his _compagnon_.


s: His heart fails--forward droops his helmet--prone


s: Upon the earth he lies--'tis over now....


s: The Count is dead. Rollánd, the Baron, mourns


s: And weeps as never mortal mourned before.


s: When sees the Count Rollánd the breath of life


s: Gone from his friend, his body stretched on earth,


s: His face low in the dust, his tears gush out


s: With heavy sobs. Then tenderly he speaks:


s: Of love we led; ne'er didst thou wrong to me,


s: Nor I to thee. If death takes thee away,


s: My life is but a pain." While speaking thus,


s: The _Marchis_ faints on Veillantif, his steed.


s: But still firm in his stirrups of pure gold:


s: Where'er Rollánd may ride, he cannot fall.


s: Scarce hath the Count recovered from his swoon,


s: When all the great disaster meets his sight;


s: The French lie on the field; all lost to him


s: Save the Archbishop and Gualtier de l'Hum,


s: Who had descended from the mountain height


s: Where he the men of Spain all day withstood


s: Till all his own fell 'neath the Pagan swords.


s: Willed he or not, he fled into the vale,


s: "Most gentle Count, most valiant, where art thou?


s: Ne'er had I fear where'er thou wert!--'tis I,


s: Old gray-haired Droün's nephew; till this day


s: My courage won thy love. So well I fought


s: Against the Saracens, my spear was broke,


s: My shield was pierced, my hauberk torn and wrung,


s: And in my body eight steel darts I bear.


s: Done are my days, but dear the last I sold!"


s: The words of that brave knight Rollánd has heard,


s: Spurs on his steed and gallops to his help.


s: With grief and rage Rollánd's great heart is full;


s: Amidst the thick ranks of a swarming foe


s: He rides. He fights--and twenty Pagans fall


s: Slain by his hand; by Gualtier's six, and five


s: By the Archbishop's. Loud the Pagans cry:


s: "Vile wretches these! Let none escape alive!


s: Attack; foul recreants those who let their flight


s: Avail."--Renewing then their hues and cries,


s: The Pagans rush from all parts 'gainst the knights.


s: The Count Rollánd was ever great in war;


s: Most valiant is Gualtier de l'Hum; Turpin


s: The Archbishop, of a valor proved: each leaves


s: The other naught to do, and 'mid the throng


s: Strikes Pagans down, who though one thousand foot


s: And forty thousand horsemen mustering, yet


s: Dare not approach, forsooth; but from afar


s: Against them hurl their jav'lins, spears and darts,


s: Their lances and winged arrows. First of all


s: Is slain Gualtier; Turpin de Reins' good shield


s: Is pierced, his helmet broken, and his head


s: Wounded, his hauberk shattered and dislinked;


s: Four spears have pierced his body; his good steed


s: Dies under him. Alas! the Archbishop falls.


s: By four spear-shafts transfixed, when the brave knight


s: Sprang quickly to his feet once more. His look


s: Sought for Rollánd to whom he ran in haste.


s: One word he said:--"Unconquered yet am I!


s: While life doth last, a true knight yields it not!"


s: He draws Almace, his sword of burnished steel,


s: And rushing 'mid the throng, one thousand blows


s: And more he deals.--Carle said in after days,


s: Turpin spared none, as dead upon the field


s: He saw four hundred men, some cut in twain,


s: Some with lopped heads: so says the Geste of France,


s: And one who saw the field, the brave Saint-Gille


s: For whom God showed his might; who in the cloister


s: Of Loüm wrote the record of these deeds.


s: Who knows not this, he knows not any thing.


s: As hero fights the Count Rollánd; but all


s: His body burns with heat and drips with sweat;


s: His head is torn by pain; his temple burst


s: By that strong blast he gave the olifant.


s: Still would he know if Carle returns; once more


s: He blows his horn--Alas, with feeble blast.


s: Carle caught the distant sound, and, list'ning, waits:


s: "Seigneurs," cried he, "great evils fall apace;


s: Urge on our steeds. Let all our trumpets blow!"


s: Then sixty thousand trumps rang forth their peals;


s: The hills reëcho, and the vales respond.


s: The Pagans hear--and stay their gabbling mirth.


s: One to the other says:--"'Tis Carle who comes!"


s: These are the clarions of the French we hear.


s: If Carle should come, 'twill be our doom; if lives


s: Four hundred warriors well armed cap-a-pie,


s: The bravest of the host, then closed their ranks


s: And dashed in fierce attack against Rollánd.


s: Mighty the deeds the Count must now achieve!


s: As they draw near, Rollánd calls up his pride


s: And summons all his strength to meet the charge.


s: No foot of ground he yields while life remains.


s: And gores his flanks with spurs of purest gold.


s: The Archbishop rush. And now the Pagans all


s: Unto each other cry: "Hence, friends, away!


s: The horns of those of France we now have heard,


s: Ne'er could the Count Rollánd a coward love,


s: Nor proud, nor wicked men, nor faithless knights.


s: He calls to the Archbishop: "You, on foot,


s: And I on horseback, sire! For love of you


s: Will share or good or ill; I leave you not


s: For aught of human mold. This day we shall


s: Hurl back the Pagan charge, and Durendal


s: Shall deal his mightiest blows!"--To this replies


s: The Archbishop: "Traitor he who strikes not well!


s: King Carle returns--Great shall his vengeance be!"


s: The Pagans say: "For such ill were we born!


s: What fatal morn this day for us has ris'n!


s: Dead lie our lords and Peers! With his great host


s: King Carle returns, the mighty Baron--Hark!


s: His clarions sound, and loud the cry 'Montjoie;'


s: Rollánd has so great pride, no man of flesh


s: Can make him yield, or vanquished fall. 'Twere best


s: We pierced him from afar, and left him lying


s: Upon the field!"----'Twas done: darts, lances, spears,


s: That his good shield was pierced, his hauberk rent


s: Veillantif, pierced with thirty wounds, falls dead


s: Beneath the Count.--The affrighted Pagans fly.


s: The Count Rollánd stands on the field, alone.


s: Raging in wrath the Pagans fly, and toward


s: The land of Spain they haste. The Count Rollánd


s: Pursues them not, for Veillantif lies dead.


s: On foot he stands whether he will or not.


s: To help Turpin, the Archbishop, fast he ran,


s: His helm unclasped, removed the hauberk white


s: And light, then ripped the sides of his _blialt_


s: To find his gaping wounds; then tenderly


s: Pressing him in his arms, on the green sward


s: He laid him gently down, and fondly prayed:


s: "O noble man, grant me your leave in this;


s: Our brave compeers, so dear to us, have breathed


s: Their last--we should not leave them on the field;


s: I will their bodies seek and gather here,


s: To lay them out before you."--"Go, and soon


s: Return," the Archbishop said; "the field is yours


s: Alone the Count Rollánd retraced his steps


s: Throughout the field. Vales, mounts, he searched, and found


s: There Sansun, then beyond, Gerard the old


s: He bore each knight within his arms, and placed


s: Them gently, side by side, before the knees


s: Of Turpin who cannot restrain his tears;


s: With lifted hands he blesses them and says:


s: "Most hapless Knights!--May God the Glorious


s: 'Mid holy flowers place them!--In this hour


s: Of death, my deepest grief is that no more


s: Rollánd turns back, and searching through the field,


s: Has found, alas! his comrade Olivier....


s: He pressed him 'gainst his bosom tenderly,


s: Stretched on a shield he lays him down among


s: The other knights. The Archbishop then assoils


s: And signs him with the holy cross. The grief


s: And pity were more sore than heart can bear....


s: Then said Rollánd:--"Fair comrade Olivier,


s: Son of the good Count Renier, he who held


s: The marches to the distant shores of Gennes;


s: To break a lance, to pierce a shield, the brave


s: To counsel, traitors to dismay and foil,


s: When Count Rollánd beheld his Peers lie dead,


s: Beloved, his soul by pity was o'erflowed;


s: Tears from his eyes gush out, his countenance


s: Turns pale; distressed, he can no longer stand.


s: Would he or not, he swooned and fell to earth.


s: The Archbishop said: "Baron, what woe is yours!"


s: The Archbishop, when he saw Count Rollánd swoon,


s: Felt keener grief than e'er he felt before;


s: Stretched forth his hand, and took the olifant.--


s: Thence will he water bring to Count Rollánd.


s: Staggering, with feeble steps, thither he goes,


s: But loss of blood has made him all too weak:


s: Ere he has gone an acre's length, his heart


s: Meantime the Count Rollánd revives.--Erect


s: He stands, but with great pain; then downward looks


s: Stretched out.--He lifts his eyes to Heav'n, recalls


s: His sins, and raising both his joinèd hands,


s: He prays Our God to grant him paradise.--


s: Turpin, Carle's Knight, is dead, who all his life,


s: Ne'er ceased to fight the Pagans. May the Lord


s: The Count Rollánd sees lifeless on the field


s: The Archbishop lie; gush from the gaping wounds


s: His entrails in the dust, and through his skull


s: The oozing brain pours o'er his brow.--In form


s: Disposes both his hands so fair and white,


s: And mourned him in the fashion of his land:


s: To the Glorious One of Heav'n I thee commend;


s: For ne'er was man who Him more truly served,


s: Nor since the Apostles' days, such prophet, strong,


s: To keep God's law and draw the hearts of men.


s: From ev'ry pain your soul be freed, and wide


s: Rollánd now feels his death is drawing nigh:


s: From both his ears the brain is oozing fast.


s: For all his peers he prays that God may call


s: Their souls to Him; to the Angel Gabriel


s: Durendal, his good sword. Forward he goes,


s: A new-tilled ground and toward the land of Spain.


s: Four terraces of marble spread:--he falls


s: Prone fainting on the green, for death draws near.


s: High are the mounts, and lofty are the trees.


s: Four terraces are there, of marble bright:


s: There Count Rollánd lies senseless on the grass.


s: Who lies among the corpses, feigning death,


s: His face and body all besmeared with blood.


s: Upon the Baron.--Handsome, brave and strong


s: He was, but from his pride sprang mortal rage.


s: He seized the body of Rollánd, and grasped


s: His arms, exclaiming thus:--"Here vanquished Carle's


s: Great nephew lies!"--"This sword to Araby


s: I'll bear."--He drew it;--this aroused the Count.


s: Rollánd perceived an alien hand would rob


s: Him of his sword; his eyes he oped; one word


s: He spoke:--"I trow, not one of us art thou!"


s: Then with his olifant from which he parts


s: Never, he smites the golden studded helm,


s: Crushing the steel, the head, the bones; both eyes


s: Are from their sockets beaten out--o'erthrown


s: Dead at the Baron's feet he falls:--"O wretch,"


s: He cries, "how durst thou, or for good or ill,


s: Lay hands upon Rollánd? Who hears of this


s: Will call thee fool. Mine olifant is cleft,


s: Its gems and gold all scattered by the blow."


s: Now feels Rollánd that death is near at hand


s: And struggles up with all his force; his face


s: Grows livid;--[Durendal, his naked sword]


s: On which he strikes ten mighty blows through grief


s: And rage--The steel but grinds; it breaks not, nor


s: Is notched; then cries the Count:--"Saint Mary, help!


s: O Durendal! Good sword! ill starred art thou!


s: Though we two part, I care not less for thee.


s: Have gained, what kingdoms conquered, which now holds


s: White-bearded Carle! No coward's hand shall grasp


s: Thy hilt: a valiant knight has borne thee long,


s: Such as none shall e'er bear in France the Free!"


s: Rollánd smites hard the rock of Sardonix;


s: The steel but grinds, it breaks not, nor grows blunt;


s: Then seeing that he can not break his sword,


s: "O good my sword, how bright and pure! Against


s: The sun what flashing light thy blade reflects!


s: When Carle passed through the valley of Moriane,


s: Command that he should give thee to a Count,


s: A valiant captain; it was then the great


s: And gentle King did gird thee to my side.--


s: With thee I won for him Anjou--Bretaigne;


s: For him with thee I won Poitou, le Maine


s: With thee I conquered all the lands and realms


s: Which Carle, the hoary-bearded monarch, rules.


s: Now for this sword I mourn.... Far better die


s: Than in the hands of Pagans let it fall!


s: May God, Our Father, save sweet France this shame!"


s: Shattering it more than I can tell; the sword


s: But grinds.--It breaks not--nor receives a notch,


s: And upwards springs more dazzling in the air.


s: When sees the Count Rollánd his sword can never break,


s: Softly within himself its fate he mourns:


s: In thy gold-hilt are relics rare; a tooth


s: Of great saint Pierre--some blood of Saint Basile,


s: A lock of hair of Monseigneur Saint Denis,


s: It is not right that Pagans should own thee;


s: By Christian hand alone be held. Vast realms


s: I shall have conquered once that now are ruled


s: By Carle, the King with beard all blossom-white,


s: And by them made great emperor and Lord.


s: May thou ne'er fall into a cowardly hand."


s: The Count Rollánd feels through his limbs the grasp


s: Of death, and from his head ev'n to his heart


s: He hastens, and falls stretched upon the grass.


s: And toward the Heathen land he turns his head,


s: That Carle and all his knightly host may say:


s: "The gentle Count a conqueror has died...."


s: Then asking pardon for his sins, or great


s: Or small, he offers up his glove to God.


s: The Count Rollánd feels now his end approach.


s: Against a pointed rock, and facing Spain,


s: He lies. Three times he beats his breast, and says:


s: "Mea culpa! Oh, my God, may through thy grace,


s: Be pardoned all my sins, or great or small,


s: Until this hour committed since my birth!"


s: Then his right glove he offers up to God,


s: And toward him angels from high Heav'n descend.


s: Beneath a pine Rollánd doth lie, and looks


s: Toward Spain--He broods on many things of yore:


s: On all the lands he conquered, on sweet France,


s: On all his kinsmen, on great Carle his lord


s: Who nurtured him;--he sighs--nor can restrain


s: His tears, but can not yet himself forget;


s: Recalls his sins, and for the grace of God


s: He prays:--"Our Father, never yet untrue,


s: Who Saint-Lazare raised from the dead, and saved


s: Thy Daniel from the lions' claws--Oh, free


s: My soul from peril, from my whole life's sins!"


s: His right hand glove he offered up to God;


s: Saint Gabriel took the glove.--With head reclined


s: Upon his arm, with hands devoutly joined


s: He breathed his last. God sent his Cherubim,


s: Together with them Gabriel came.--All bring


s: The soul of Count Rollánd to Paradise....


s: Rollánd is dead: God has his soul in heaven.


s: There, neither road nor any path is seen,


s: Nor vacant space, nor ell, nor foot of land


s: That mounds of mangled bodies cover not,


s: Pagans or French.--The Emperor exclaims:


s: "Fair nephew, where art thou? The Archbishop, where?


s: Gerin, Gerier, the two companions, where


s: Are they? And where is Otes and Berengier,


s: Ives and Ivoire both to my heart so dear?


s: The old, and my twelve Peers I left behind,


s: What fate is theirs?"--What boots it? None replies.--


s: "God," cries the King, "what grief is mine to think


s: He tears his beard with anger; all his knights


s: And barons weep great tears; dizzy with woe


s: And swooning, twenty thousand fall to earth.


s: Duke Naimes feels pity overflow his heart.


s: Who, in his pity, sheds not tears for sons,


s: For brothers--nephews--friends--and for liege-lords.


s: But Duke Naimes bore himself as valorous knight:


s: He foremost said to Carle:--"Behold two leagues


s: Away!--The roads are dark with clouds of dust.


s: There swarm the Pagan tribes.... Ride on them now,


s: Avenge this bitter woe."--"O God," said Carle,


s: "Are they already flown so far?--our rights


s: And honor shield! Those Pagans took from me


s: The flower of my Sweet France!"--The King commands


s: Milun:--"Watch ye the field, the vales, the mounts;


s: The slain, leave to their rest; see that no beast


s: Nor lion, squire nor page approach. I charge


s: Until, with God's assistance, we return."


s: They lovingly and with sweet tone reply:


s: "Thus shall we do, just Emperor, dear sire!"


s: Upon the field they keep one thousand knights.


s: Then forward at the head of his great host


s: He rides, that Baron true. Of those of Spain


s: He finds the tracks, points out the road; in quick


s: Pursuit all follow Carle.... When sees the King


s: The eve decline, he on the verdant grass


s: Dismounts, and prostrate prays to God our Lord


s: The sun to stay, the shades of night hold back


s: A Counselor-Angel with the swift command;


s: "Ride on, O King, nor fear that night shall fall!


s: God knows that thou hast lost the flower of France;


s: But vengeance canst have now upon that horde


s: The Emp'ror rises and remounts his steed.


s: To Carlemagne Our Lord now showed his might;


s: The sun stays in its course. The Pagans fly,


s: Them in the Val-Tenebre. They drive them on


s: Toward Sarraguce, while close behind them fall


s: The upraised swords, and strew the ground with dead.


s: In front deep Ebro rolls its mighty waves:


s: No boat, no barge, no raft. They call for help


s: On Tervagant, then plunge into the flood.


s: Vain was their trust: some, weighted with their arms,


s: Sink in a moment; others are swept down,


s: And those most favored swallow monstrous draughts.


s: All drown most cruelly. The French cry out:


s: "For your own woe wished ye to see Rollánd!"


s: When Carle sees all the Pagans dead--some slain,


s: The others drowned, his chevaliers enriched


s: With spoils, the noble King dismounts, on earth


s: Prostrates himself and offers thanks to God.


s: When he arose, the sun had set. "'Tis time,"


s: He said, "to think of camping now. Too late


s: And let them roam at large about these meads."


s: The French reply: "Sire, you have spoken well."


s: The French dismount, take off the golden curbs


s: And saddles from their steeds, and turn them loose


s: In the green mead, amid the plenteous grass:


s: No other care they need. Upon the ground


s: The over-wearied cast themselves and sleep.


s: No watch was set in all the host that night.


s: His mighty lance hard by his pillow planted,


s: For he, on such a night will not disarm.


s: His hauberk white, with orfreyed-marge he wears,


s: His helmet, rich with gold and gems is laced,


s: Girded Joyeuse, the sword without a peer,


s: Who thirty times a day can change his hue.


s: Wherewith Our Lord was pierced upon the cross,


s: The steel whereof Carle has, thanks be to God,


s: Closed in the golden pommel of his sword.


s: For this great glory and exceeding worth


s: The brand was called _Joyeuse_. This all French Knights


s: Should bear in mind, for it was hence they took


s: Their war-cry of _Montjoie_, and for this cause


s: Clear is the night, bright shines the moon; at rest


s: Lies Carle; but grief is with him for Rollánd,


s: The twelve Peers, too, and all the men of France,


s: Left stark and bloody there at Ronceval.


s: He cannot help but weep, and sob, and pray


s: That mighty God be keeper of their souls.


s: Tired is the King, his toils being very great;


s: Deeply asleep he falls, and can no more.


s: Through all the fields the scattered French sleep sound,


s: Nor there a horse has strength enough to stand;


s: If one need grass, he bites it as he lies.


s: Right wise is he that's wise in lore of woe.


s: Carle sleeps as man by toil outdone. God sends


s: Saint Gabriel down, the Emperor to guard.


s: All night beside his head the Angel stands,


s: And in a dream forebodes that 'gainst the French


s: Explains; then glancing up tow'rd Heav'n, King Carle


s: Sees thunder-clouds and winds, hail, raging storms


s: And wond'rous tempests--smould'ring fire and flames


s: His people falls the blast. Their spears with shafts


s: Of apple-tree or ash--those shields ablaze


s: Unto their golden rings--shafts from their points


s: Break off--Steel helms and hauberks clash and clang.


s: He sees his Knights in dire distress. Meantime


s: Devouring pards and bears rush on them; snakes


s: And vipers--dragons, fiends--and with them more


s: Than thirty thousand griffons. 'Mong the French


s: None can escape this hideous horde.--"Carlemagne,


s: Come to our help!" they cry. With pity seized,


s: Fain would he thither, but his steps are stayed:


s: The beast is haughty, fierce and terrible,


s: And, springing, seeks his very body out.


s: Each wrestles with the other in his arms;


s: But which shall fall, which stand, this no man knows.


s: He stands, and holds in two-fold chains a bear.


s: From towards Ardennes he sees rush forth a pack


s: Of thirty other bears which speak as men.


s: They say:--"To us restore him, Sire! Not right


s: It were that you should keep him longer; help


s: Our kin we must."--Then from his palace runs


s: A greyhound fair which on the verdant grass


s: Before them all. The King a wond'rous fight


s: Beholds: but who shall win or lose, none knows.


s: This is a dream God's Angel showed to Carle,


s: Who sleeps until the morrow's morn appeared.


s: By rapid flight Marsile reached Sarraguce.--


s: He strips himself of breast-plate, helmet, sword,


s: And sinks upon the sward with ghastly look.


s: His right hand severed from the wrist whence blood


s: Is gushing forth, has made him swoon with pain.


s: Before Marsile, his spouse, Queen Bramimunde,


s: Bursts into tears, and cries, and woeful moans.


s: Around stand more than twenty thousand men


s: Who with one voice accuse Sweet France and Carle;


s: Apollo's grotto seek they, and with taunts,


s: Profane, insulting words, their God revile:


s: "What ails thee, evil God, to shame us thus,


s: And to confusion bring our Lord the King?


s: Who serves thee well vile guerdon gains from thee!"


s: Despoiled of crown and scepter, by the hands


s: They hang him on a column--neath their feet


s: They roll him down.--They with great clubs deface


s: And beat him; then from Tervagant they snatch


s: Throw down--there bitt'n, trampled on, by swine and dogs.


s: Recov'ring from his swoon, the King Marsile


s: Commands they lead him to his vaulted room


s: All bright with color and inscribed with verse.


s: There weeping bitterly, Queen Bramimunde


s: Tearing her hair, aloud proclaims her grief:


s: Of the most gentle King that was thy Lord!


s: Our gods betrayed our trust, they who this morn


s: In battle failed us;--the Emir coward were


s: Would he not fight these people bold who are


s: So proud they care not for their lives. Carl'magne,


s: The Emperor, whose beard is strewn with gray,


s: Among his men has dauntless Knights; if e'er


s: He fight, no step he yields. Great woe it is


s: That there is no man who can give him death."


s: Full seven years remained; he castles took


s: To King Marsile. The year had scarce begun


s: Before his word went forth to seal the briefs


s: Had begged the Baron's help for Sarraguce.


s: Should he not come, gods, idols, once adored


s: He will renounce, the holy Faith of Christ


s: Embrace, and join in friendship with King Carle.


s: From forty realms his people had he called


s: And ordered to prepare his _dromonds_ vast,


s: Barks, galleys, ev'ry vessel. In the port


s: In May it was, the first of summer-days,


s: A mighty host he launched upon the deep.


s: Great are the forces of their hostile horde;


s: They swiftly skim the waves, and steer, and sail;


s: Their masts and yards so blazing with the light


s: Of carbuncles and lanterns, night gives up


s: Its darkness and still fairer shows the sea.


s: As they approached the shores of Spain, the land


s: Was all aglow, and tidings reached Marsile.


s: The Pagans halt no moment; soon they leave


s: The deep, and in fresh water steer; Marbreise


s: And then Marbruse is passed; along the shores


s: Setting the night aflame with carbuncles


s: And lights: the same day reached they Sarraguce.


s: Clear is the day and bright the sun; descends


s: Walks forth upon his right; a train of Kings


s: In number seventeen, with Dukes and Counts


s: Grows a great laurel, and beneath its shade


s: They spread a _pallie_ of white silk upon


s: The verdant grass, and place a faldstool there


s: The Pagan. All the others stand. First spake


s: The chief:--"Oyez, all ye, most valiant Knights!


s: King Carle, the Emperor, who leads the Franks,


s: Shall eat not, save by my command. Throughout


s: All Spain, 'gainst me a cruel war he waged:


s: Now I will seek him in sweet France, nor, while


s: My life lasts, cease until he dies the death,


s: Or, living, yields, and mercy begs." He spake


s: And struck his right-hand glove upon his knee.


s: Though it cost all the gold beneath the sky,


s: Yet would he march to Aix, where Carle was wont


s: To hold his court. Some praise him, even give


s: Him counsel. Two from out his host of Knights


s: Give ye this message to the King Marsile:


s: I have come to succor him against the French,


s: And if I find them, great the fight will be.


s: Give him this gold-embroidered glove, and place it


s: On his right hand; give him this staff of gold;


s: My force to France to fight with Carlemagne.


s: For mercy, and abjure the Christian law,


s: I from his head will tear away the crown."


s: The Pagans answer all:--"Well spoken, Sire."


s: "Barons! to horse!" said Baligant. "Bear thou


s: The glove, and thou the staff." The two reply:


s: "Dear Sire, thus shall we do." So fast they rode


s: They soon reached Sarraguce. Beneath ten gates


s: They pass, four bridges cross, ride through the streets


s: Where stand the burghers. But on drawing near


s: The lofty citadel, they heard great noise


s: About the palace, where were thronging crowds


s: Of Pagans with loud wails and shrieks of woe,


s: Crying out against their gods, on Tervagan,


s: Each says to each, "Ah, caitiffs, what shall now


s: The King Marsile whose hand Rollánd struck off;


s: The Fair, his son. This day the land of Spain


s: Into the Christian hands will fall enslaved!"


s: The message-bearers reach the royal gates.


s: Beneath an olive tree they halt, and soon


s: Two Pagans take their curbed steeds in charge.


s: The messengers, each holding by the cloak


s: Entering the vaulted hall where lay Marsile,


s: Whereat cried Bramimunde:--"What folly this!


s: Our gods are false; too well in Ronceval


s: They showed their evil power, and let our knights


s: My lord the king with his right hand struck off


s: By mighty Count Rollánd. The realm of Spain


s: Will fall enslaved beneath the sway of Carle.


s: What shall become of me, most miserable?


s: Alas! is there no man to give me death!"


s: Said Clarien:--"Lady, speak not thus--Behold,


s: Messengers we, from Baligant, who swears


s: To free Marsile, and to him sends his glove


s: Four thousand galleys, skiffs and swiftest boats;


s: More sails than can be numbered! Rich and great


s: The Emir.--Carle, pursued to France, shall be


s: Per force, or still, or dead, or penitent."


s: Said Bramimunde:--"Yea, greater ills will come.