Pa.s.ses the night and opens the clear day; That Emperour canters in brave array, Looks through the host often and everyway; "My lords barons," at length doth Charles say, "Ye see the pa.s.s along these valleys strait, Judge for me now, who shall in rereward wait."
"There"s my good-son, Rollanz," then answers Guenes, "You"ve no baron whose valour is as great."
When the King hears, he looks upon him straight, And says to him: "You devil incarnate; Into your heart is come a mortal hate.
And who shall go before me in the gate?"
"Oger is here, of Denmark;" answers Guenes, "You"ve no baron were better in that place."
AOI.
LIX
The count Rollanz hath heard himself decreed; Speaks then to Guenes by rule of courtesy: "Good-father, Sir, I ought to hold you dear, Since the rereward you have for me decreed.
Charles the King will never lose by me, As I know well, nor charger nor palfrey, Jennet nor mule that canter can with speed, Nor sumpter-horse will lose, nor any steed; But my sword"s point shall first exact their meed."
Answers him Guenes: "I know; "tis true in-deed."
AOI.
LX
When Rollant heard that he should be rerewarden Furiously he spoke to his good-father: "Aha! culvert; begotten of a b.a.s.t.a.r.d.
Thinkest the glove will slip from me hereafter, As then from thee the wand fell before Charles?"
AOI.
LXI
"Right Emperour," says the baron Rollanz, "Give me the bow you carry in your hand; Neer in reproach, I know, will any man Say that it fell and lay upon the land, As Guenes let fall, when he received the wand."
That Emperour with lowered front doth stand, He tugs his beard, his chin is in his hand Tears fill his eyes, he cannot them command.
LXII
And after that is come duke Neimes furth, (Better va.s.sal there was not upon earth) Says to the King: "Right well now have you heard The count Rollanz to bitter wrath is stirred, For that on him the rereward is conferred; No baron else have you, would do that work.
Give him the bow your hands have bent, at first; Then find him men, his company are worth."
Gives it, the King, and Rollant bears it furth.
LXIII
That Emperour, Rollanz then calleth he: "Fair nephew mine, know this in verity; Half of my host I leave you presently; Retain you them; your safeguard this shall be."
Then says the count: "I will not have them, me I Confound me G.o.d, if I fail in the deed!
Good valiant Franks, a thousand score I"ll keep.
Go through the pa.s.s in all security, While I"m alive there"s no man you need fear."
AOI.
LXIV
The count Rollanz has mounted his charger.
Beside him came his comrade Oliver, Also Gerins and the proud count Geriers, And Otes came, and also Berengiers, Old Anseis, and Sansun too came there; Gerart also of Rossillon the fierce, And there is come the Gascon Engeliers.
"Now by my head I"ll go!" the Archbishop swears.
"And I"m with you," says then the count Gualtiers, "I"m Rollant"s man, I may not leave him there."
A thousand score they choose of chevaliers.
AOI.
LXV
Gualter del Hum he calls, that Count Rollanz; "A thousand Franks take, out of France our land; Dispose them so, among ravines and crags, That the Emperour lose not a single man."
Gualter replies: "I"ll do as you command."
A thousand Franks, come out of France their land, At Gualter"s word they scour ravines and crags; They"ll not come down, howe"er the news be bad, Ere from their sheaths swords seven hundred flash.
King Almaris, Belserne for kingdom had, On the evil day he met them in combat.
AOI.
LXVI
High are the peaks, the valleys shadowful, Swarthy the rocks, the narrows wonderful.
Franks pa.s.sed that day all very sorrowful, Fifteen leagues round the rumour of them grew.
When they were come, and Terra Major knew, Saw Gascony their land and their seigneur"s, Remembering their fiefs and their honours, Their little maids, their gentle wives and true; There was not one that shed not tears for rue.
Beyond the rest Charles was of anguish full, In Spanish Pa.s.s he"d left his dear nephew; Pity him seized; he could but weep for rue.
AOI.
LXVII
The dozen peers are left behind in Spain, Franks in their band a thousand score remain, No fear have these, death hold they in disdain.
That Emperour goes into France apace; Under his cloke he fain would hide his face.
Up to his side comes cantering Duke Neimes, Says to the King: "What grief upon you weighs?"
Charles answers him: "He"s wrong that question makes.
So great my grief I cannot but complain.
France is destroyed, by the device of Guene: This night I saw, by an angel"s vision plain, Between my hands he brake my spear in twain; Great fear I have, since Rollant must remain: I"ve left him there, upon a border strange.
G.o.d! If he"s lost, I"ll not outlive that shame."
AOI.
LXVIII
Charles the great, he cannot but deplore.
And with him Franks an hundred thousand mourn, Who for Rollanz have marvellous remorse.
The felon Guenes had treacherously wrought; From pagan kin has had his rich reward, Silver and gold, and veils and silken cloths, Camels, lions, with many a mule and horse.
Barons from Spain King Marsilies hath called, Counts and viscounts and dukes and almacours, And the admirals, and cadets n.o.bly born; Within three days come hundreds thousands four.
In Sarraguce they sound the drums of war; Mahum they raise upon their highest tow"r, Pagan is none, that does not him adore.
They canter then with great contention Through Certeine land, valleys and mountains, on, Till of the Franks they see the gonfalons, Being in rereward those dozen companions; They will not fail battle to do anon.
LXIX
Marsile"s nephew is come before the band, Riding a mule, he goads it with a wand, Smiling and clear, his uncle"s ear demands: "Fair Lord and King, since, in your service, glad, I have endured sorrow and sufferance, Have fought in field, and victories have had.
Give me a fee: the right to smite Rollanz!
I"ll slay him clean with my good trenchant lance, If Mahumet will be my sure warrant; Spain I"ll set free, deliver all her land From Pa.s.s of Aspre even unto Durestant.
Charles will grow faint, and recreant the Franks; There"ll be no war while you"re a living man."
Marsilie gives the glove into his hand.
AOI.
LXX
Marsile"s nephew, holding in hand the glove, His uncle calls, with reason proud enough: "Fair Lord and King, great gift from you I"ve won.
Choose now for me eleven more baruns, So I may fight those dozen companions."
First before all there answers Falfarun; --Brother he was to King Marsiliun-- "Fair sir nephew, go you and I at once Then verily this battle shall be done; The rereward of the great host of Carlun, It is decreed we deal them now their doom."
AOI.