CCLXI

A gallant man was Charles of France, the lovely land and dear.
In no way did the Amiral feel any doubt or fear.
And either of the heroes lifted up the naked glaive.
On the shield each to the other the dreadful buffets gave.
And they cut through the two-fold wood and through the folds of hide.
Flew the nails, and into pieces fell the buckles far and wide.
Then smiting on the hauberks breast against breast they came.
Out of the fiery helmets flew up the sparks of flame.
So furious a battle could not endure for long.
Behoved one or the other there to confess his wrong.

CCLXII

Said Baligant:
" King Charlemagne, look well to thine intent.
Take counsel of thy wickedness unto me to repent.
My son within the battle I deem that thou didst slay.
And wrongly now thou seekest my realm to take away.
Become my liegeman; for a fief I will give my realm to thee.
From here unto the Orient my vassal shalt thou be. "
And Charlemagne gave answer:
" Right evil words are these.
I owe not to a Paynim either true love or peace.
Receive now the salvation given of God above,
Even the law of Jesus Christ, and thee I still will love.
Serve and trust the King Almighty! "
" Yon are most evil words, "
Said Baligant. Then fell they on with the keen cutting swords.

CCLXIII

The Amiral in all things was of excelling might,
And through the brown steel helmet of the Emperor did he smite.
Upon his head the helmet was broken through and rent.
Even through the fine locks of his hair fell the blade in its descent.
Of flesh a handsbreadth good and more away the sword did tear.
On the place whereon it lighted, naked was the bone and bare.
Reeling and near to falling was the King Charlemagne.
But God willed not in that hour that he should be ta'en or slain.
And then unto the Emperor in haste Saint Gabriel sped.
" What dost thou, King most mighty? " to him the angel said.

CCLXIV

When of the holy angel Charlemagne the voice did hear,
He had no dread of dying, and knew not any fear.
And strength of mind and body anew in him awoke.
On the Emir with the blade of France he smote a dreadful stroke.
The helm where flamed the jewels with that buffet did he crush,
He clove the head in sunder, and out the brains did gush;
And straight through the man's visage to the beard that was so white
Beyond all hope or question stone dead he did him smite.
And that his men might know him, " Mountjoy! " he shouted high.
At the word Duke Neimes hastened and to the King drew nigh,
And brought the steed. King Charlemagne leaped upon Tençendor.
The Paynims turned. God would not that they should tarry more.
And now the Franks have won the boon for which they had implored.

CCLXV

The Paynims fled according to the will of God the Lord.
The Franks pursued, and with them the Emperor did go.
Spake the King:
" Ho now, my barons! Take vengeance for your woe.
Achieve your whole desire, and in your hearts be glad,
For it was but this morning I beheld you weeping sad. "
Said the Franks:
" Sire, let us do the deed. " And each began to slay,
Even as he might. But a remnant of the Paynims got away.

CCLXVI

Fierce was the heat and clouds of dust rose upwards to the height,
And the Franks pressed the Paynims most fiercely in their flight —
Even unto Saragossa the pursuit did not relent.
To the summit of her tower Queen Bramimonde she went.
And clerks and priests of the false law God loves not with her sped.
They have no ordination or tonsure on the head.
When she beheld the Arabs into such confusion thrown,
She hastened unto Marsile, and shrieking made it known:
" Mahomet aid! Ah, gentle King, our host is smitten amain,
And in very great dishonor the Amiral is slain. "
When Marsile heard the tidings he turned unto the wall,
And hid his face, and bitterly his tears began to fall.
Weighed down with sin and shamefullness he died there of his dole,
And the eternal fiends of Hell got hold upon his soul.

CCLXVII

Thus slain were all the Paynims, save those who fled away,
And Charlemagne the Emperor hath conquered in the fray.
In Saragossa city the gates were battered down;
But the Emperor knew surely that defenseless was the town.
He took the place. He entered with his war-host in his might.
There the King and all his army laid him down to sleep that night.
Exceeding proud was Charlemagne with the white beard in that hour.
Queen Bramimonde surrendered unto him every tower.
There ten great towers and fifty of lesser note did stand.
Well endeth his adventure that is succored of God's hand.

CCLXVIII

And now the day was over, and on the night-time came.
And clear the moon was shining, and the stars were flashing flame.
The King had ta'en Saragossa. A thousand men around
He bade march through town and temple and the mansions of Mahound.
With the axes that they carried, and with the iron maul,
They smote Mahound, and shattered his idols one and all,
That sorcery and falsehood, no longer might remain.
The King loved God. His service to accomplish was he fain.
The bishops blessed the water. The Paynims did they bring
To baptism. And if any held out against the King,
Or burned, or hanged, or slaughtered with the sharp sword was he then.
At that time were there baptized an hundred thousand men,
True Christians all; all save the Queen that captive did depart
To lovely France. The King desired God's love should change her heart.

CCLXIX

And the long night passed over, and brightly broke the day.
Charles garrisoned the towers with the men of his array,
He left a thousand cavaliers behind him, proved and bold,
In the Emperor's name the city to govern and to hold.
And the King and all his barons got quickly on the steed,
And Bramimonde, a captive, in the army did they lead,
But he intended nothing save good unto the dame.
In gallantry and glory along their way they came.
In their strength and in their power they passed Narbonne the town,
And hastened unto Bordeaux the city of renown.
And there upon the altar of brave Saint Severin's shrine
He set the horn of Roland filled with golden pieces fine.
The pilgrims have beheld it that to the place have gone.
He passed the Gironde river in the great ships thereon.
Unto Blaye he brought his nephew, likewise his comrade good,
Even Olivier, and Turpin that had such hardihood
And wisdom. And he laid the lords in sepulchres of white.
In the church of Saint Romanus lieth each gallant knight.
To God and the Holy Names the Franks their spirits did commend.
Through the mountains and the valley King Charlemagne did wend.
For nothing would he tarry till he came to Aix the town.
He rode till at his stairway from the charger he got down.
And when at last the King was come into his high-built hall
Forthwith he summoned to him his judges one and all,
From Bavaria and Saxony and Friesland and Lorraine.
He summoned them of Burgundy, and them of Alamain,
Poiteveins, Normans, Bretons, and every wisest man
In the realm of France, and the trial of Ganelon began.

CCLXX

Back from the Spanish Marches returned King Charlemagne
To Aix the fairest city in the land of France again.
He mounted in his palace unto his chamber fair,
And Aude the lovely lady came forth unto him there.
She spake unto the Emperor:
" Count Roland where is he,
That to take me for his wedded wife plighted his troth to me? "
And Charles was filled with sorrow and heaviness of heart.
He plucked his beard, and from his eyes the tears began to start:
" Thou askest me, dear sister, of one that doth not live.
Another and a better unto thee I will give.
It is Louis — and a better there is not found in France.
He is my son, and my domains are his inheritance. "
And Aude replied unto him:
" What monstrous words are these!
God and His Saints and Angels in no way would it please
That after Roland's passing I yet on earth should dwell. "
Her color fled and suddenly at the King's feet she fell,
And perished. Now her spirit God in His grace receive!
Wept all the Frankish barons and sorely did they grieve.

CCLXXI

Now Lady Aude the beautiful the end of life had found.
The Emperor thought within him that she was but in a swound,
And his heart was filled with pity, and sore he wept for pain,
And in his arms he took her, and raised her up again.
But aye upon her shoulders drooped the fair lady's head.
And when the King beheld it that she verily was dead,
Four countesses he summoned. To a nunnery was she borne.
And all the night they watched her till the breaking of the morn.
And underneath an altar they wrought her sepulchre,
And with exceeding honor the King let bury her.

CCLXXII

Now to Aix returned the Emperor. Ganelon the traitor hound
Was there before the palace in chains of iron bound.
There to a stake that villain in shameful guise they tied.
His hands were girded stoutly with thongs of red-deer hide.
And nobly did they beat him with the ox-yoke and the stave.
But he deserved no other than the measure that they gave.
So in exceeding anguish for his trial did he wait.

CCLXXIII

It is written in the ancient book these deeds that doth relate
That Charlemagne unto him men of many lands did call.
At Aix within the chapel they gathered one and all.
The feast was very glorious. It was the holy day
Of Saint Silvester the good lord, by that which many say.
And then began the trial, and abroad did rumor run
Concerning Ganelon the Count the treason that had done.
The Emperor before him the prisoner bade them bring.

CCLXXIV

" Lord barons, " to the judges said Charlemagne the King,
" Concerning the Count Ganelon make now a just decree.
He marched amid mine army to the land of Spain with me.
And twenty thousand Frenchmen he caused them to be slain,
And Roland my good nephew whom ye ne'er shall see again,
And Olivier, moreover, the courteous and the bold,
And the twelve peers this traitor for filthy lucre sold. "
Said Ganelon:
" An I gainsaid, I would be a traitor strong.
But in gold and in possession Roland did me grievous wrong.
Therefore did I desire his death and his distress;
But that the thing was treason I never will confess. "
Said the Franks in answer: " Counsel we now will take thereon. "

CCLXXV

Before the King there might ye see the great Count Ganelon.
And gallant was his body, and his face was fair of hue.
Well had he been a baron good, had he been leal and true.
On the Franks and on the judges Ganelon turned his eye,
And on thirty of his kinsmen that unto him stood nigh.
And then in a loud voice and high unto them he did shout:
" For the love of God I pray you, ye barons, hear me out.
I was in the King's army and served him faithfully
And in all love. But Roland his nephew hated me.
And therewithal he plotted how in great pain I should die.
Therefore unto King Marsile embassador was I,
And only by my wisdom did I hap my life to save.
And I defied Count Roland, the stalwart and the brave.
And Olivier and, likewise, all the comrades of their train —
These noble barons heard it, and the King Charlemagne —
I venged myself. But treason — I wot it was not so. "
And the Franks spake in answer: " To counsel let us go. "

CCLXXVI

When Ganelon saw his trial how it began apace,
There were thirty of his kinsmen that he summoned in the place.
And one there was to whose command the others hearkened well.
From Sorence the fair castle was the Lord Pinabel.
Well could he talk and clearly speak forth his thought aright.
And he was brave and skillful with his weapons in the fight.
" I trust thee, friend, " unto him Count Ganelon did say,
" Free me from this shame of trial and the risk of death this day. "
And Pinabel gave answer:
" Well defended shalt thou be.
Nor is there any Frenchman that to hang condemneth thee,
(If the Emperor to fight the man will grant me and accord)
But I will give the lie to him with the sharp edge of the sword. "
And at the feet of Pinabel fell the Count Ganelon.

CCLXXVII

The Bavarians and Saxons to the Council got them gone.
There were Franks and men of Normandy and likewise of Poitou.
And of Germans and Thediscans a-many thither drew.
They of Auvergne were soft of heart. Because of Pinabel
They kept them close. Said each to each:
" To let it rest were well.
Let close the trial; to Charlemagne now let us make this prayer
That Ganelon acquitted for this time he declare.
Let him then serve the Emperor in true love and in faith.
Ye will never see Count Roland, for his head is low in death.
For gold and gear he cannot bring back the Marquis more.
'Tis a fool that undertaketh to take up this gage of war. "
Was none within the Council but granted it was true
Save Thierry that was brother of Lord Geoffrey of Anjou.

CCLXXVIII

The barons went to Charlemagne, and said:
" Sire, hear our prayer.
Count Ganelon acquitted for this time do thou declare.
And do thou let him serve thee in true love faithfully.
Give him his life, for certainly a goodly man is he.
Roland is dead. Upon him we shall not look again.
Nor win him back with treasure. "
Then the King Charlemagne
Answered and said unto them: " Ye are villains all indeed. "

CCLXXIX

When the King saw that all of them had failed him in his need,
Then his countenance and visage on his breast he bended low,
And called himself a caitiff in the torment of his woe.
But lo! the good knight Thierry unto the King he drew,
Even he that was the brother of Duke Geoffrey of Anjou;
Lean was the man of body, and exceeding thin and spare.
And dark was Thierry's countenance, and coal-black was his hair.
Not over large in stature, nor yet of little height.
He spake unto the Emperor like a very courteous knight:
" My fair Lord King, now let not thine anger rise so strong.
Thou knowest well already that I have served thee long.
This trial in my forbears' right is mine to pass upon.
Whatsoever the Count Roland did unto Ganelon,
Thy service should have been to him a strong defence and aid,
And a traitor is Count Ganelon, that Roland thus betrayed.
He has perjured him before thee, and treason wrought most high.
Therefore it is my judgment that he be hanged and die,
And that his body also suffer shame and torture both,
Like unto any traitor a villainy that doth.
And if to me shall give the lie a kinsman of his blood,
With the blade that I have girded will I make my judgment good. "
And all the Franks gave answer: " Now hast thou spoken well. "

CCLXXX

Now unto the King Charlemagne came forward Pinabel.
Great was the man, and mighty, and swift and strong in war.
And he to whom he dealt a stroke, his time of life was o'er.
He said unto the Emperor:
" This trial is for thee,
Oh King; give orders straightway that no more tumult be.
Thierry hath given judgment. I say that he has lied;
I will fight. "
He put on his right fist the glove of red-deer hide.
Said the King then:
" The hostages of the trial give me now. "
Therewith the thirty kinsmen gave in their pledge and vow.
" I will give thee pledges also, " said the Emperor thereon,
And he caused them to be guarded till justice should be done.