CLXXXI

King Charlemagne thereafter let all his trumpets blow.
Then forth with all the line of war did the great Emperor go.
Upon the traces of the foe then did the army fall.
In the hard chase of the Paynims they hastened one and all.
But when that night was coming on King Charlemagne had seen,
He alighted in a meadow upon the grasses green.
He bowed to earth. He prayed to God that the sun's course He would stay,
That the night still might tarry and yet remain the day.
And lo! an angel that was wont to speak with him at hand.
Unto the Emperor Charlemagne swiftly he gave command.
" Charlemagne, march! In no way the light shall fail for thee.
God knoweth thou hast lost the flower of the Frankish chivalry.
Vengeance upon the caitiff race is given thee indeed. "
When the Emperor had heard it, he leaped upon the steed.

CLXXXII

Now God for the King Charlemagne a miracle hath done,
For in the sky unmoving a space remained the sun.
And the Paynims fled; the Frenchmen hard on their heels came on;
And in the Vale of Darkness they o'ertook them in their flight.
On to Saragossa they smote them in the fury of their might.
Ever the Franks marched slaying, dealing great strokes of wrath,
And they blocked up every highway and every bridle-path.
The Waters of the Ebro are before the foe at last.
Exceeding deep is the river and the current wondrous fast.
There was no barge, nor dromond, nor ferry by the shore.
Beseechingly the Paynims began straightway to implore
Termagant their god for succor. And therewith plunged they in
But in no way or fashion deliverance might they win.
Of them that were armed heavily at once a-many sank,
And many struck out vainly to reach the other bank.
Down stream some swam. The luckiest a deal of water drank
And in great pain and anguish they all were cast away.
Said the Franks: " Ye looked on Roland in a very evil day. "

CLXXXIII

Then Charles looked on the Paynims that dead lay all around,
Some that were slain in battle and the other moiety drowned.
His cavaliers much treasure in that hard fight had ta'en,
And the good King descended from off the steed again.
He bowed to earth and gramercy unto his God he said.
And when he rose from prayer at last the sun had fled.
Charlemagne spake:
" The hour for camping doth betide.
I deem that it is overlate to Roncevaux to ride.
Our steeds are worn and weary. Loose the bridle and the selle.
Let them rest them in the meadows. "
Said the Franks: " Thou sayest well. "

CLXXXIV

Twixt Valterne and the Ebro camped the Emperor Charlemagne.
The Franks thereby dismounted in the middle of the plain.
They took the golden bridles and the saddles from the steeds.
Where was abundance of green grass they loosed them in the meeds.
More they might not do for them. So weary was each wight
That he fell asleep upon the ground. No watch was set that night.

CLXXXV

The Emperor in the meadow upon the earth him laid.
Beside his head in that hour he put his mighty blade.
He would not in that night put off the armor that he bore.
The white embroidered hauberk likewise the Emperor wore.
He had laced on the good helmet with the gold and jewels brave.
He had girt on the sword Joyous — was never such a glaive;
And there shot thirty different hues each day from the great sword.
We have heard of the lance that wounded upon the cross our Lord.
By God His grace the spear-head was come to Charlemagne's hand.
He had it wrought into the gold of the pommel of the brand.
For that glory and that goodness, Joyous the sword was hight,
And it should not be forgotten of any Frankish knight,
For thereby the great battle-cry the shout Mountjoy have they,
Wherefore no other nation may face them in the fray.

CLXXXVI

Clear was the night and the moon shone, and the King lay down to rest;
But for Olivier and Roland grief lay heavy on his breast,
And the twelve peers and the Frenchmen in their blood at Roncevaux.
Nor could he keep from weeping and sobbing in his woe.
He prayed God to keep their spirits. He was weary from the war,
For great had been his labor. He slept. He could no more.
And over all the meadows the Franks lay fast asleep.
There was no steed that longer upon his feet could keep.
An he wanted grass he cropped it, where'er he down had lain.
He hath learned a very mighty thing who understandeth pain.

CLXXXVII

Charles slept like to a laborer with labor that is spent;
And the Lord God Saint Gabriel unto the Emperor sent.
To watch beside King Charlemagne, God gave him His command.
And all night long by the King's head the angel took his stand;
And he spake and told the Emperor in a vision of the night,
Concerning a great battle that against him they would fight.
And all the grievous meaning of the battle he made plain.
High up into the heavens looked the Emperor Charlemagne.
He saw the frost and the whirlwinds and the thunder where they played,
The storms and wondrous tempests, and flames of fire arrayed.
And lo! upon his army fell that portent in a flash.
Afire were all the lances of apple-wood and ash,
And all the shields were flaming to the buckles of pure gold,
And likewise the good war-swords and the keen pikes manifold.
And grated all the hauberks, and the steel helms ground again.
His liegemen in their anguish appeared to Charlemagne.
Leopards were fain to eat them, and likewise many a bear.
Serpents and wiverns, dragons, and the foul fiends were there,
And thirty thousand gryphons. A fell attack they made
Upon the Franks that shouted: " King Charlemagne give aid! "
And the heart of the Emperor was filled with pity and with woe.
Fain had he gone, but there was that that would not let him go.
Forth from a wood a lion came before him in his might.
Furious and full of pride was he and dreadful to the sight.
On the King's very body the lion leaped amain.
Locked arm by arm in the struggle wrestled and strove the twain.
And none knew which should conquer, nor which of them should fall.
The Emperor from his vision awakened not at all.

CLXXXVIII

Thereafter another vision was given him to see.
At Aix in France beside a stair he deemed himself to be.
And the King thought by a double chain he held a mighty bear;
And forth to him from Arden did thirty others fare.
Each spoke as a man speaketh. They said unto the King.
" Sire, yield him now unto us. It is not a righteous thing
For thee to keep our kinsman. And we will aid him here. "
Then forth from out the palace a greyhound did appear.
On the green grass he grappled with the bear of greatest might
Before his mates, and Charlemagne beheld a marvellous fight.
But he knew not which should conquer and which should lose the fray.
So much unto the hero God's angel did display.
Charles slept until the morning and the clear break of day.

CLXXXIX

His flight to Saragossa King Marsile good hath made.
He dismounted from the charger 'neath an olive in the shade.
He hath pulled off the hauberk and the helmet and the sword.
And down he lay in disarray upon the fair green-sward.
His right hand had he lost, and cleft at the shoulder full in twain
Was his right arm. He fainted from loss of blood and pain.
Bramimonde his wife before him wept and shrieked lamenting sore.
About the King were gathered thirty thousand men and more.
Charlemagne and the sweet French realm they cursed them all and one.
And then unto Apollo in his grotto did they run.
They heaped reproaches on him and many an evil name:
" Ah, evil god! Now wherefore hast thou brought on us this shame?
Why didst thou let our lord the King be beaten in the fight,
Who served thee well? And wherefore didst thou him so ill requite? "
Therewith his crown and sceptre from Apollo have they ta'en.
By his hands unto a column they hanged him up amain.
Then in their wrath beneath their feet they trampled him and trod,
And with great staves they beat him, and in pieces tore the god.
His carbuncle from Termagant have the angry Paynims torn,
And they have hurled Mahomet into a foss forlorn.
The dogs devoured him, and the swine trampled him on the ground.

CXC

At length hath the King Marsile awakened from his swound.
Himself to his vaulted chamber he commanded them to bear.
Painting and colored writing a mighty store was there.
Tearing her locks Queen Bramimonde on her evil plight did cry
With many tears. A word she spake in a loud voice and high:
" How art thou, Saragossa, robbed and dispoiled this day
Of the great King and glorious who o'er thee bore the sway.
Our gods have played the traitor, who failed us utterly
In the fight this morn. The Amiral a coward will he be,
If he cometh not the battle with that fiery stock to bear,
That are so hardy-hearted that of life they have no care.
King Charlemagne the Emperor, with the great beard like a flower,
Hath the rashness of great courage and all a hero's power.
Wheresoe'er he giveth battle, he never giveth way.
It is great woe that no one may be found that King to slay. "

CXCI

Because of his good courage the Emperor Charlemagne
Had been the full of seven year within the realm of Spain.
He had taken many a city, and, moreover, many a hold,
Wherefore was the King Marsile filled with trouble manifold.
And he let seal his letters ere the first year was spent,
And into Babylonia to Baligant he sent.
An ancient man was Baligant, of an old time and year.
Homer himself and Virgil were outlived of the Emir.
Marsile to Saragossa begged him his aid to bear.
And if he should not do it his gods he would forswear,
And all his idols also that his wont was to adore;
To Christianity the Holy, himself he would give o'er.
He was right fain with Charlemagne that a treaty should be made,
For Baligant was far away and a great while had delayed.
To the men of his forty kingdoms gave Baligant command
His dromonds and his galleons to get ready to his hand,
And many a barge and pinnace, and ships of all degree.
There was at Alexandria a port upon the sea.
The Amiral got ready the ships of his array.
On the first day of summer, and in the month of May
The whole of his great armament embarked and went its way.

CXCII

Oh very great and mighty was that Paynim host of war,
And they sailed very swiftly, and ever on they bore.
And set upon the yard-arms and at every main-mast head
Were carbuncles and lanterns that such a lustre shed
That, when was come the evening, the sea grew lovelier.
And when at last upon the coast of the Spanish land they were,
Then all the land was lighted with the fire and the flame,
And the tidings of their coming to the King Marsile came.

CXCIII

That great host of the Paynims would in no way stop or stay.
They left the salt sea waters. Into the fresh came they
And Marbrise town and Marbros, they left them both behind.
Up the channel of the Ebro did all that navy wind.
At the mast-head and the yard-arm was many a lantern-light
And carbuncle, great brightness that gave them in the night.
And unto Saragossa at day-break drew they on.

CXCIV

Then clearly broke the morning and brightly shone the sun.
The Amiral from his galley came forth unto the land.
Beside him Espanelis walked on at his right hand.
Kings there were seen full seventeen that after him did fare.
Of counts and dukes I know not how many were come there.
And in the middle of a field under a laurel's shade,
On the green grass a tapestry of purest white was laid.
Thereon of the fair ivory was set a high-seat good,
Where sate Baligant the Paynim; but all the others stood.
And their Lord King unto them now made his meaning clear:
" Ho, all ye free and gallant knights, now hearken and give ear.
King Charles the Emperor of the Franks shall eat nor bite nor sup
Till I have given my command to him to take it up.
He hath warred long in the land of Spain. But battle will I give
To him in the sweet realm of France as long as I shall live,
Till he be dead, or a recreant hath yielded him to me. "
And with the glove of his right hand lightly he smote his knee.

CXCV

When Baligant had said it, his will so strong had grown
For all the gold beneath the heaven the King had not forgone
Marching on Aix, where justice was done by Charles the King.
His henchmen when they heard it counseled likewise the thing.
Clarien and Clarifan, two knights, he summoned to him there:
" Ye sons of the King Maltraien who was wont my word to bear
With right good will; I bid you to Saragossa go,
And speak unto King Marsile that my coming he may know.
Against the Franks, in war-array have I come to succor him.
If I come on them, a battle there will be both great and grim.
Give him the glove gold-broidered. Do it on the King's right hand
And give him this fine golden staff. When his duty for his land
He doth by me, to fight in France with Charlemagne will I fare.
An he beg not mercy at my feet and Christian law forswear,
Then forthwith will I take away the crown from off his head. "
" Oh Sire, thou sayest wondrous well, " thereto the Paynims said.

CXCVI

To his messengers said Baligant:
" To ride doth you behove.
The staff let one now carry. Let the other bear the glove. "
And they answered him: " Dear master, we will even do the same. "
Then forth they rode so hard that they to Saragossa came.
Through ten gates have they ridden, o'er bridges four as well.
And all the street have they traversed wherein the burghers dwell.
But when unto the summit of the city they drew near,
By the palace a great bruit fell loud upon their ear.
Enow of Paynims shrieked and wept and mighty woe displayed.
Of their gods Mahound and Termagant a sore complaint they made,
And moreover of Apollo, whence they got no help at all.
Said each to each:
" Unfortunate, what now shall us befall?
Confusion is upon us. Marsile from us is reft.
Through the hand of the King Marsile hath the Count Roland cleft.
Nor have we left unto us even Jorfaleu the fair.
All Spain is theirs! "
The messengers dismounted at the stair.

CXCVII

Beneath an olive-tree got down those messengers amain;
And two Saracens thereafter took from them their horses twain.
And arm-in-arm together with their tidings on they went.
To the high part of the palace the two their footsteps bent.
Into the vaulted chamber they entered there above,
And their wicked salutation they gave there in all love:
" Now may Mahound that ruleth us, and Apollo our good lord
And Termagant protect the King, and the Queen watch and ward. "
Said Bramimonde:
" Great folly now do I hear thee say.
Our gods are knaves. At Roncevaux most evil deeds did they.
They let of our true Paynims be slaughtered many a knight.
And my own dear Lord Marsile, they failed him in the fight.
Smitten off was the King's right hand. Yea, right hand hath he none.
'Twas by the fierce Count Roland that the dreadful deed was done.
King Charles will gain the whole of Spain. Ah, full of woe and dread!
What will befall me? Woe is me, that none will strike me dead. "

CXCVIII

And Clariens answered:
" Lady, speak not so high and free.
Of Baligant the Paynim the messengers are we.
He saith he will ward King Marsile. He sendeth here beside
His staff and glove. In Ebro four thousand galleons ride,
And skiffs there be, and barges and galleys swift as well.
The number of the dromonds I know not how to tell.
The Amiral is stalwart and a great man of might,
And he will hasten into France with Charlemagne to fight.
And either will he slay him, or make him beg for grace. "
Said Bramimonde:
" The venture will be found in evil case.
The Amiral may lightly come on the Franks more near.
They have been here already the space of seven year.
The Emperor is gallant, of a great heart and high.
Ere from the field he flieth, in the battle he will die.
No King 'neath heaven, but Charlemagne deems him a babe in worth.
The Emperor feareth no man that liveth on the earth. "

CXCIX

And forthwith the King Marsile said unto her:
" Let be. "
He spake unto the messengers: " Speak now, my lords, to me.
Ye see already I am doomed. Son or daughter, none remain,
Nor any heir, though one I had. Yestereven was he slain.
Bid my lord come and see me. He ruleth Spain of right.
An he desire I will yield it him, but for it let him fight
Against the French. Good counsel I will give him for the fray
With Charlemagne that may be dead in a month's time from this day.
With the keys of Saragossa to the Emir do ye hie!
Say to him, if he will trow me, that Charles will never fly. "
" Sire, thou hast spoken truly, " did the messengers reply.

CC

And then said the King Marsile:
" The Emperor Charlemagne
Hath wasted all the country and my liegemen hath he slain.
And my cities he hath battered, and in their ruins laid.
For his army on the Ebro his camp-ground hath he made.
And from this city to that place but seven leagues there are.
Let the Amiral lead thither his mighty host of war.
Bid him for me for battle the gear of fight to don. "
The keys of Saragossa, he gave to them each one.
At that the two embassadors before the King bowed low.
They took their leave and at his word together did they go.