XLI
" Count Ganelon, " said Marsile, " the truth to thee I tell.
I have it in my spirit to love thee passing well.
I would hear thee speak of Charlemagne, who is old, and whose day is o'er;
Of years unto my thinking he hath lived a full ten-score.
And he hath borne him manful in many a foreign field,
And many a stroke, moreover, hath taken on his shield;
And of many a wealthy ruler a beggar hath he made.
When will he grow a-weary of the ravage and the raid? "
" Not such an one is Charlemagne, " Ganelon answer gave,
" No man that sees and knows him but knows that he is brave.
I know not how to praise him or to boast within this place
How much more hath the Emperor of glory and of grace.
What man his deeds of valor is able to relate?
With such a knighthood also our God hath made him great
That better 'twere to perish than to fall from that estate. "
XLII
Said the Paynim:
" Very greatly I marvel on this score.
This Charlemagne the Emperor is very old and hoar,
After my deeming certainly two hundred years and more.
Such labor of the body hath he wrought in many a land,
Such bitter strokes hath suffered of the battle-spear and brand,
And of so many rulers poor beggars hath he made.
When will he grow a-weary of the ravage and the raid? "
" That will not be, " said Ganelon, " while Roland's head is high.
There is not such a vassal neath the hollow of the sky.
And a gallant soldier also is his comrade Olivier,
And the twelve peers, moreover, whom Charlemagne holds dear,
Of twenty thousand horsemen are ever more the van.
Sure is the King among them is not one caitiff man. "
XLIII
Said the Paynim:
" A great marvel this matter do I hold
That Charlemagne the Emperor is grown so white and old.
I deem that more than ten good score of years the man hath told
Throughout so many nations he hath conquered near and far,
So many strokes hath suffered from the keen sword of war,
So many wealthy sovereigns hath he happed to take or slay.
When then will he be weary of warring thus alway? "
" That will not be while Roland lives, " said the Count Ganelon
" There is not such a vassal from here to the rising sun.
And Olivier his comrade is a soldier stark and bold.
And the twelve peers, moreover, that dear the King doth hold,
Are the vanguard of an army of twenty thousand Franks.
The King knows well no coward is found among their ranks. "
XLIV
Marsile the King to Ganelon again the word said he
" So fair is this my knighthood better is not to see.
Four hundred thousand horseman are in this host of mine.
Lightly can I fight with Charlemagne and the French battle line
And Ganelon gave answer:
" Fight thou not in this hour.
Thou shalt gain a mighty slaughter of all the Paynim power
But put aside this folly and a wise counsel take:
Out of thy rich possession such a present shalt thou make
To the Emperor that no Frank shall be but shall marvel without end
And because of the twenty hostages that to him thou shalt send
Again to the sweet realm of France the Emperor shall repair.
And the rear-guard of the army he shall leave behind him there
With the rear his nephew Roland, I trow, will march along,
And Olivier, moreover, the courteous and the strong.
Dead are the Counts, an thou hearken the counsel of my tongue.
Charles shall behold his mighty pride how greatly it shall fall.
Further desire for battle he shall not have at all. "
XLV
" Prithee, my good Lord Ganelon, " did the King Marsile say,
" In what fashion shall I labor Roland the Count to slay? "
And Ganelon gave answer:
" I will even tell it to thee.
At Sizre in the great defile the Emperor will be,
And his rear-guard behind him to its post he will command.
There will be Roland his nephew that hath so strong an hand,
And Olivier, moreover, whom the King trusteth so.
And twenty-thousand Frenchmen in their company will go.
An hundred thousand Paynims thither shalt thou bid fare.
A battle to the Frenchmen they first shall offer there.
Ah, white the faces of the Franks! slaughtered shall be their host,
Not but in lives of soldiers thou shalt bear a mighty cost.
Once more on them in battle in like fashion shalt thou fall;
In which Count Roland perishes it matters not at all.
But thou shalt have done in battle a deed of gentle might,
Nor ever in thy lifetime shalt have need to fight the fight.
XLVI
" Who bringeth to pass that Roland in battle shall be slain,
The right arm of his body shall tear from Charlemagne.
Quiet shall be forever the marvellous hosts of war,
And he will never gather such mighty armies more.
The Greater Land, moreover, in peace and rest shall be. "
When Marsile heard, upon the neck he kissed him eagerly
And forthwith unto Ganelon let ope his treasury.
XLVII
Again spake the King Marsile:
" Why do I not speak forth?
If we be not certain, each of each, the counsel is no worth.
Swear now unto this treason, if faith in thee there be. "
And Ganelon gave answer: " It shall fall as pleaseth thee. "
He swore upon the relics in the sword Murglas' hilt
To carry out the treason. Thus was compassed all his guilt.
XLVIII
Thereby there stood a high-seat wrought out of elephant horn
King Marsile let before him a certain book be borne.
Therein the law of Termagaunt and Mahound was written plain
And then his oath upon it sware that Saracen of Spain
That, if upon Count Roland in the rear-guard he might light,
With the whole array of Paynims against him would he smite;
And, were it his lot, would perish like a true man in the fray.
Said Ganelon: " Now blessings on our covenant alway. "
XLIX
Then laughing clear strode forward a Paynim Valda-bron,
And raised up the King Marsile, and spake to Ganelon:
" Take now my sword. A better no man at all hath found,
Only the hilt of the great sword is worth a thousand pound.
Out of pure love and friendship I give it to thee here.
By thee shall we find Count Roland in the army of the rear. "
Then answered the Count Ganelon: " Right shall be done herein. "
Thereon they kissed each other on the cheek and on the chin.
L
And Climborin a Paynim came forward at a stride,
And clearly rang his laughter as to Ganelon he cried:
" Take now my helm. In no place have I seen a better helm.
Through thee the Marquis Roland in dishonor shall we whelm. "
Thereon said Ganelon the Count: " Herein shall right be done. "
Forthwith they kissed each other the cheek and lip upon.
LI
Then to the place came Bramimonde (King Marsile's queen was she)
She said unto Count Ganelon:
" I greatly honor thee.
My lord esteems thee greatly, and all his men beside.
Behold, fair Sire, these bracelets will I send unto thy bride.
With amethyst and jacinth and gold they are fashioned well,
And more than all the treasure are they worth that Rome can tell.
Jewels of such rich excellence thine Emperor hath none. "
The gems into his riding boots thrust the Count Ganelon.
LII
Said the King unto his treasurer: " Dight is the Emperor's gift? "
" Yea, Sire, " the man gave answer, " it is well enough to shift.
Seven hundred camels laden with silver and gold are by,
And likewise twenty hostages the gentlest under sky. "
LIII
On the shoulder of Count Ganelon, King Marsile laid his hand.
He said:
" Thou art very gallant and quick to understand.
By that law which for holiest thou holdest in thy heart,
Keep thee well that in no manner thou shalt falter from our part
Good store of my possessions will I give o'er to thee.
I will load ten mules with the finest of the gold of Araby.
No year shall pass but to thee a like present I will make.
And the keys of this great city I prithee now to take.
Give thou to Charles the Emperor these gifts of might cost.
Then bring it to pass that Roland in the rear shall have his post
If in the mountain passes upon him I shall light,
The battle that I offer shall be a mortal fight. "
And Ganelon gave answer: " Too long do I delay. "
He mounted on his charger and galloped on his way.
LIV
Again the Emperor Charlemagne drew nigh unto his home
To the town of Valtierra in that hour was he come.
Roland the Count that city had overthrown and ta'en.
After that day an hundred years a waste did it remain.
For tidings of Count Ganelon a space abode the King,
And the great Spanish Empire her splendid ransoming.
And at the crack of day-break, when the clear morning glowed
Into the King's encampment Count Ganelon he rode.
LV
Betimes upon that morning the King himself bestirred.
And Mass and Matin Service already had he heard.
He sat by his pavilion upon the grass so green.
Roland and the brave Olivier beside him there were seen.
Duke Neimes there stood by them, and many another chief.
And thither came Count Ganelon the traitor and the thief.
Forthwith he 'gan a talking in his wicked treachery.
" God's blessing be upon thee, " unto the King said he.
" The keys of Saragossa unto thee I have brought.
Besides them I am charged for thee with a treasure richly fraught,
And a score of hostages as well. Do thou keep them close in hand.
Marsile the brave beseeches concerning thy demand
In the matter of the Algalif, blame not the Saracen.
With mine own eyes did I behold four hundred thousand men
That all wore iron helmets and all were hauberk-clad,
And girded at their girdles gold-pointed swords that had.
They marched beside the Algalif to the margin of the sea,
Whither they fled because of dread of our Christianity,
Which they had no desire to receive or to maintain.
Scarce four leagues had they sailed, when burst the stormy hurricane.
There were they drowned, and never more that army shalt thou see.
If the Algalif were living I had brought him here with me.
Hear thou tidings of the Paynim. This month shall not have sped
Ere into France the kingdom in thy footsteps he will tread.
There will he take thy faith on him with meetly folded hands.
Thee will he serve, and hold in fief of thee the Spanish lands. "
" Now to my God be glory, " said the King Charlemagne.
" Well hast thou wrought the service, and great shall be thy gain. "
Amid that host together did a thousand trumpets bray.
They broke their camp. The sumpter-beasts they loaded on that day,
And home to the sweet realm of France the army took the way.
LVI
The whole of Spain King Charlemagne had wasted and had wracked;
The castles he had taken, and the cities he had sacked.
But now the time of battle, he said was past and o'er,
And back to the sweet realm of France he wended from the war
On a spear the army's ensign Count Roland carried high:
On the summit of a little hill he raised it to the sky.
The Franks made their encampment o'er the whole countryside
But along through the wide valley the Paynim army hied.
In hauberk and double byrnie, with laced helm on the head,
Sword by side, shield on shoulder, and lance in hand they sped
On the summit of the mountains in a wood abided they.
Four hundred thousand waited for the breaking of the day.
God! What a woe! The Frenchmen deem little of that ill.
LVII
At length the day passed over and the night was calm and still
Then fell asleep the Emperor, the powerful and great.
He dreamed at Sizre that he was, in the huge mountain gate,
And in his hands he carried his spear with the ashen heft,
And from his hand Count Ganelon the mighty weapon reft.
With such a savage fury he shook and brandished it
That the splinters flew to heaven. Yet the King waked no whit
LVIII
And after this first vision another dream he dreamed.
In France in his own chapel in the town of Aix he seemed.
And a bear bit his right shoulder, that was furious and fell.
And he saw out of Arden a leopard come as well,
That fierily assailed him. Then quickly to the King
There galloped a good greyhound with many a bound and spring
The right ear of the mighty bear first with its teeth it caught
And a battle with the leopard the gallant greyhound fought.
And the Franks spake of the greatness of the battle in the hall,
And none might know to which of them the victory would fall.
And the Emperor slept ever, nor wakened then at all.
LIX
At length the night passed over. White broke the morning sky.
Proud rode the King, and the war-horns through the army sounded high.
" Lord barons, " said King Charlemagne, " the mountain pass ye see.
Say which chief of the army in the rear-guard shall be. "
" Lo! Roland that is my stepson, " gave answer Ganelon,
" A baron of such following in the whole host hast thou none. "
And the King looked upon him and angry was his brow,
And he said unto Count Ganelon:
" A devil alive art thou.
And mortal rage and anger to thy heart has entered in.
With the vanguard of my army shall march what paladin? "
Said Ganelon:
" Then Ogier of Denmark let it be.
None hast thou that the matter may speed so well as he. "
LX
And thereupon Count Roland when the judgment he did hear
Spake forth to them his counsel like a good cavalier:
" Lord stepfather, much kindness now unto thee I owe,
That the ruling of the rear-guard hast brought upon me so.
King Charles that holds the realm of France shall never lose indeed,
After my understanding, palfrey, or battle steed.
He shall lose no mule nor she mule whereon a man may ride,
Nor any packhorse either, nor sumpter beast beside,
Wherefor the sword in battle hath not made a purchase fell. "
And Ganelon gave answer: " Truth say'st thou I know well. "
" Count Ganelon, " said Marsile, " the truth to thee I tell.
I have it in my spirit to love thee passing well.
I would hear thee speak of Charlemagne, who is old, and whose day is o'er;
Of years unto my thinking he hath lived a full ten-score.
And he hath borne him manful in many a foreign field,
And many a stroke, moreover, hath taken on his shield;
And of many a wealthy ruler a beggar hath he made.
When will he grow a-weary of the ravage and the raid? "
" Not such an one is Charlemagne, " Ganelon answer gave,
" No man that sees and knows him but knows that he is brave.
I know not how to praise him or to boast within this place
How much more hath the Emperor of glory and of grace.
What man his deeds of valor is able to relate?
With such a knighthood also our God hath made him great
That better 'twere to perish than to fall from that estate. "
XLII
Said the Paynim:
" Very greatly I marvel on this score.
This Charlemagne the Emperor is very old and hoar,
After my deeming certainly two hundred years and more.
Such labor of the body hath he wrought in many a land,
Such bitter strokes hath suffered of the battle-spear and brand,
And of so many rulers poor beggars hath he made.
When will he grow a-weary of the ravage and the raid? "
" That will not be, " said Ganelon, " while Roland's head is high.
There is not such a vassal neath the hollow of the sky.
And a gallant soldier also is his comrade Olivier,
And the twelve peers, moreover, whom Charlemagne holds dear,
Of twenty thousand horsemen are ever more the van.
Sure is the King among them is not one caitiff man. "
XLIII
Said the Paynim:
" A great marvel this matter do I hold
That Charlemagne the Emperor is grown so white and old.
I deem that more than ten good score of years the man hath told
Throughout so many nations he hath conquered near and far,
So many strokes hath suffered from the keen sword of war,
So many wealthy sovereigns hath he happed to take or slay.
When then will he be weary of warring thus alway? "
" That will not be while Roland lives, " said the Count Ganelon
" There is not such a vassal from here to the rising sun.
And Olivier his comrade is a soldier stark and bold.
And the twelve peers, moreover, that dear the King doth hold,
Are the vanguard of an army of twenty thousand Franks.
The King knows well no coward is found among their ranks. "
XLIV
Marsile the King to Ganelon again the word said he
" So fair is this my knighthood better is not to see.
Four hundred thousand horseman are in this host of mine.
Lightly can I fight with Charlemagne and the French battle line
And Ganelon gave answer:
" Fight thou not in this hour.
Thou shalt gain a mighty slaughter of all the Paynim power
But put aside this folly and a wise counsel take:
Out of thy rich possession such a present shalt thou make
To the Emperor that no Frank shall be but shall marvel without end
And because of the twenty hostages that to him thou shalt send
Again to the sweet realm of France the Emperor shall repair.
And the rear-guard of the army he shall leave behind him there
With the rear his nephew Roland, I trow, will march along,
And Olivier, moreover, the courteous and the strong.
Dead are the Counts, an thou hearken the counsel of my tongue.
Charles shall behold his mighty pride how greatly it shall fall.
Further desire for battle he shall not have at all. "
XLV
" Prithee, my good Lord Ganelon, " did the King Marsile say,
" In what fashion shall I labor Roland the Count to slay? "
And Ganelon gave answer:
" I will even tell it to thee.
At Sizre in the great defile the Emperor will be,
And his rear-guard behind him to its post he will command.
There will be Roland his nephew that hath so strong an hand,
And Olivier, moreover, whom the King trusteth so.
And twenty-thousand Frenchmen in their company will go.
An hundred thousand Paynims thither shalt thou bid fare.
A battle to the Frenchmen they first shall offer there.
Ah, white the faces of the Franks! slaughtered shall be their host,
Not but in lives of soldiers thou shalt bear a mighty cost.
Once more on them in battle in like fashion shalt thou fall;
In which Count Roland perishes it matters not at all.
But thou shalt have done in battle a deed of gentle might,
Nor ever in thy lifetime shalt have need to fight the fight.
XLVI
" Who bringeth to pass that Roland in battle shall be slain,
The right arm of his body shall tear from Charlemagne.
Quiet shall be forever the marvellous hosts of war,
And he will never gather such mighty armies more.
The Greater Land, moreover, in peace and rest shall be. "
When Marsile heard, upon the neck he kissed him eagerly
And forthwith unto Ganelon let ope his treasury.
XLVII
Again spake the King Marsile:
" Why do I not speak forth?
If we be not certain, each of each, the counsel is no worth.
Swear now unto this treason, if faith in thee there be. "
And Ganelon gave answer: " It shall fall as pleaseth thee. "
He swore upon the relics in the sword Murglas' hilt
To carry out the treason. Thus was compassed all his guilt.
XLVIII
Thereby there stood a high-seat wrought out of elephant horn
King Marsile let before him a certain book be borne.
Therein the law of Termagaunt and Mahound was written plain
And then his oath upon it sware that Saracen of Spain
That, if upon Count Roland in the rear-guard he might light,
With the whole array of Paynims against him would he smite;
And, were it his lot, would perish like a true man in the fray.
Said Ganelon: " Now blessings on our covenant alway. "
XLIX
Then laughing clear strode forward a Paynim Valda-bron,
And raised up the King Marsile, and spake to Ganelon:
" Take now my sword. A better no man at all hath found,
Only the hilt of the great sword is worth a thousand pound.
Out of pure love and friendship I give it to thee here.
By thee shall we find Count Roland in the army of the rear. "
Then answered the Count Ganelon: " Right shall be done herein. "
Thereon they kissed each other on the cheek and on the chin.
L
And Climborin a Paynim came forward at a stride,
And clearly rang his laughter as to Ganelon he cried:
" Take now my helm. In no place have I seen a better helm.
Through thee the Marquis Roland in dishonor shall we whelm. "
Thereon said Ganelon the Count: " Herein shall right be done. "
Forthwith they kissed each other the cheek and lip upon.
LI
Then to the place came Bramimonde (King Marsile's queen was she)
She said unto Count Ganelon:
" I greatly honor thee.
My lord esteems thee greatly, and all his men beside.
Behold, fair Sire, these bracelets will I send unto thy bride.
With amethyst and jacinth and gold they are fashioned well,
And more than all the treasure are they worth that Rome can tell.
Jewels of such rich excellence thine Emperor hath none. "
The gems into his riding boots thrust the Count Ganelon.
LII
Said the King unto his treasurer: " Dight is the Emperor's gift? "
" Yea, Sire, " the man gave answer, " it is well enough to shift.
Seven hundred camels laden with silver and gold are by,
And likewise twenty hostages the gentlest under sky. "
LIII
On the shoulder of Count Ganelon, King Marsile laid his hand.
He said:
" Thou art very gallant and quick to understand.
By that law which for holiest thou holdest in thy heart,
Keep thee well that in no manner thou shalt falter from our part
Good store of my possessions will I give o'er to thee.
I will load ten mules with the finest of the gold of Araby.
No year shall pass but to thee a like present I will make.
And the keys of this great city I prithee now to take.
Give thou to Charles the Emperor these gifts of might cost.
Then bring it to pass that Roland in the rear shall have his post
If in the mountain passes upon him I shall light,
The battle that I offer shall be a mortal fight. "
And Ganelon gave answer: " Too long do I delay. "
He mounted on his charger and galloped on his way.
LIV
Again the Emperor Charlemagne drew nigh unto his home
To the town of Valtierra in that hour was he come.
Roland the Count that city had overthrown and ta'en.
After that day an hundred years a waste did it remain.
For tidings of Count Ganelon a space abode the King,
And the great Spanish Empire her splendid ransoming.
And at the crack of day-break, when the clear morning glowed
Into the King's encampment Count Ganelon he rode.
LV
Betimes upon that morning the King himself bestirred.
And Mass and Matin Service already had he heard.
He sat by his pavilion upon the grass so green.
Roland and the brave Olivier beside him there were seen.
Duke Neimes there stood by them, and many another chief.
And thither came Count Ganelon the traitor and the thief.
Forthwith he 'gan a talking in his wicked treachery.
" God's blessing be upon thee, " unto the King said he.
" The keys of Saragossa unto thee I have brought.
Besides them I am charged for thee with a treasure richly fraught,
And a score of hostages as well. Do thou keep them close in hand.
Marsile the brave beseeches concerning thy demand
In the matter of the Algalif, blame not the Saracen.
With mine own eyes did I behold four hundred thousand men
That all wore iron helmets and all were hauberk-clad,
And girded at their girdles gold-pointed swords that had.
They marched beside the Algalif to the margin of the sea,
Whither they fled because of dread of our Christianity,
Which they had no desire to receive or to maintain.
Scarce four leagues had they sailed, when burst the stormy hurricane.
There were they drowned, and never more that army shalt thou see.
If the Algalif were living I had brought him here with me.
Hear thou tidings of the Paynim. This month shall not have sped
Ere into France the kingdom in thy footsteps he will tread.
There will he take thy faith on him with meetly folded hands.
Thee will he serve, and hold in fief of thee the Spanish lands. "
" Now to my God be glory, " said the King Charlemagne.
" Well hast thou wrought the service, and great shall be thy gain. "
Amid that host together did a thousand trumpets bray.
They broke their camp. The sumpter-beasts they loaded on that day,
And home to the sweet realm of France the army took the way.
LVI
The whole of Spain King Charlemagne had wasted and had wracked;
The castles he had taken, and the cities he had sacked.
But now the time of battle, he said was past and o'er,
And back to the sweet realm of France he wended from the war
On a spear the army's ensign Count Roland carried high:
On the summit of a little hill he raised it to the sky.
The Franks made their encampment o'er the whole countryside
But along through the wide valley the Paynim army hied.
In hauberk and double byrnie, with laced helm on the head,
Sword by side, shield on shoulder, and lance in hand they sped
On the summit of the mountains in a wood abided they.
Four hundred thousand waited for the breaking of the day.
God! What a woe! The Frenchmen deem little of that ill.
LVII
At length the day passed over and the night was calm and still
Then fell asleep the Emperor, the powerful and great.
He dreamed at Sizre that he was, in the huge mountain gate,
And in his hands he carried his spear with the ashen heft,
And from his hand Count Ganelon the mighty weapon reft.
With such a savage fury he shook and brandished it
That the splinters flew to heaven. Yet the King waked no whit
LVIII
And after this first vision another dream he dreamed.
In France in his own chapel in the town of Aix he seemed.
And a bear bit his right shoulder, that was furious and fell.
And he saw out of Arden a leopard come as well,
That fierily assailed him. Then quickly to the King
There galloped a good greyhound with many a bound and spring
The right ear of the mighty bear first with its teeth it caught
And a battle with the leopard the gallant greyhound fought.
And the Franks spake of the greatness of the battle in the hall,
And none might know to which of them the victory would fall.
And the Emperor slept ever, nor wakened then at all.
LIX
At length the night passed over. White broke the morning sky.
Proud rode the King, and the war-horns through the army sounded high.
" Lord barons, " said King Charlemagne, " the mountain pass ye see.
Say which chief of the army in the rear-guard shall be. "
" Lo! Roland that is my stepson, " gave answer Ganelon,
" A baron of such following in the whole host hast thou none. "
And the King looked upon him and angry was his brow,
And he said unto Count Ganelon:
" A devil alive art thou.
And mortal rage and anger to thy heart has entered in.
With the vanguard of my army shall march what paladin? "
Said Ganelon:
" Then Ogier of Denmark let it be.
None hast thou that the matter may speed so well as he. "
LX
And thereupon Count Roland when the judgment he did hear
Spake forth to them his counsel like a good cavalier:
" Lord stepfather, much kindness now unto thee I owe,
That the ruling of the rear-guard hast brought upon me so.
King Charles that holds the realm of France shall never lose indeed,
After my understanding, palfrey, or battle steed.
He shall lose no mule nor she mule whereon a man may ride,
Nor any packhorse either, nor sumpter beast beside,
Wherefor the sword in battle hath not made a purchase fell. "
And Ganelon gave answer: " Truth say'st thou I know well. "