234 That admiral ten columns more reviews;
The first is raised of Giants from Malpruse;
The next of Huns; the third a Hungar crew;
And from Baldise the Long the fourth have trooped;
The fifth is raised of men from Val-Penuse;
The sixth is raised of tribesmen from Maruse;
The seventh is from Leus and Astrimunes;
The eighth from Argoilles; the ninth is from Clarbune;
The tenth is raised of beardsmen from Val-Frunde,
That is a tribe, no love of God e'er knew.
Gesta Francor' these thirty columns prove.
Great are the hosts, their horns come sounding through.
Pagans canter as men of valour should.235
That admiral hath great possessions;
He makes them bear before him his dragon,
And their standard, Tervagan's and Mahom's,
And his image, Apollin the felon.
Ten Canelious canter in the environs,
And very loud the cry out this sermon:
"Let who would from our gods have garrison,
Serve them and pray with great affliction."
Pagans awhile their heads and faces on
Their breasts abase, their polished helmets doff.
And the Franks say: "Now shall you die, gluttons;
This day shall bring you vile confusion!
Give warranty, our God, unto Carlon!
And in his name this victory be won!"236
That admiral hath wisdom great indeed;
His son to him and those two kings calls he:
My lords barons, beforehand canter ye,
All my columns together shall you lead;
But of the best I'll keep beside me three:
One is of Turks; the next of Ormaleis;
And the third is the Giants of Malpreis.
And Occiant's, they'll also stay with me,
Until with Charles and with the Franks they meet.
That Emperour, if he combat with me,
Must lose his head, cut from his shoulders clean;
He may be sure naught else for him's decreed.237
Great are the hosts, and all the columns fair,
No peak nor vale nor cliff between them there,
Thicket nor wood, nor ambush anywhere;
Across the plain they see each other well.
Says Baligant: "My pagan tribes adverse,
Battle to seek, canter ye now ahead!"
Carries the ensign Amboires of Oluferne;
Pagans cry out, by Preciuse they swear.
And the Franks say: "Great hurt this day you'll get!"
And very loud "Monjoie!" they cry again.
That Emperour has bid them sound trumpets;
And the olifant sounds over all its knell.
The pagans say: "Carlun's people are fair.
Battle we'll have, bitter and keenly set."238
Great is that plain, and wide is that country;
Their helmets shine with golden jewellery,
Also their sarks embroidered and their shields,
And the ensigns fixed on all their burnished spears.
The trumpets sound, their voice is very clear,
And the olifant its echoing music speaks.
Then the admiral, his brother calleth he,
'Tis Canabeus, the king of Floredee,
Who holds the land unto the Vale Sevree;
He's shewn to him Carlun's ten companies:
"The pride of France, renowned land, you see.
That Emperour canters right haughtily,
His bearded men are with him in the rear;
Over their sarks they have thrown out their beards
Which are as white as driven snows that freeze.
Strike us they will with lances and with spears:
Battle with them we'll have, prolonged and keen;
Never has man beheld such armies meet."
Further than one might cast a rod that's peeled
Goes Baligant before his companies.
His reason then he's shewn to them, and speaks:
"Pagans, come on; for now I take the field."
His spear in hand he brandishes and wields,
Towards Carlun has turned the point of steel.239
Charles the Great, when he sees the admiral
And the dragon, his ensign and standard; --
(In such great strength are mustered those Arabs
Of that country they've covered every part
Save only that whereon the Emperour was.)
The King of France in a loud voice has called:
"Barons and Franks, good vassals are ye all,
Ye in the field have fought so great combats;
See the pagans; they're felons and cowards,
No pennyworth is there in all their laws.
Though they've great hosts, my lords, what matters that?
Let him go hence, who'ld fail me in the attack."
Next with both spurs he's gored his horse's flanks,
And Tencendor has made four bounds thereat.
Then say the Franks: "This King's a good vassal.
Canter, brave lord, for none of us holds back."240
Clear is the day, and the sun radiant;
The hosts are fair, the companies are grand.
The first columns are come now hand to hand.
The count Rabel and the count Guinemans
Let fall the reins on their swift horses' backs,
Spurring in haste; then on rush all the Franks,
And go to strike, each with his trenchant lance.241
That count Rabel, he was a hardy knight,
He pricked his horse with spurs of gold so fine,
The Persian king, Torleu, he went to strike.
Nor shield nor sark could such a blow abide;
The golden spear his carcass passed inside;
Flung down upon a little bush, he died.
Then say the Franks: "Lord God, be Thou our Guide!
Charles we must not fail; his cause is right."242
And Guineman tilts with the king Leutice;
Has broken all the flowers on his shield,
Next of his sark he has undone the seam,
All his ensign thrust through the carcass clean,
So flings him dead, let any laugh or weep.
Upon that blow, the Franks cry out with heat:
"Strike on, baron, nor slacken in your speed!
Charle's in the right against the pagan breed;
God sent us here his justice to complete."243
Pure white the horse whereon Malprimes sate;
Guided his corse amid the press of Franks,
Hour in, hour out, great blows he struck them back,
And, ever, dead one upon others packed.
Before them all has cried out Baligant:
"Barons, long time I've fed you at my hand.
Ye see my son, who goes on Carlun's track,
And with his arms so many lords attacks;
Better vassal than him I'll not demand.
Go, succour him, each with his trenchant lance!"
Upon that word the pagans all advance;
Grim blows they strike, the slaughter's very grand.
And marvellous and weighty the combat:
Before nor since was never such attack.244
Great are the hosts; the companies in pride
Come touching, all the breadth of either side;
And the pagans do marvellously strike.
So many shafts, by God! in pieces lie
And crumpled shields, and sarks with mail untwined!
So spattered all the earth there would you find
That through the field the grass so green and fine
With men's life-blood is all vermilion dyed.
That admiral rallies once more his tribe:
"Barons, strike on, shatter the Christian line."
Now very keen and lasting is the fight,
As never was, before or since that time;
The finish none shall reach, unless he die.245
That admiral to all his race appeals:
"Pagans, strike on; came you not therefore here?
I promise you noble women and dear,
I promise you honours and lands and fiefs."
Answer pagans: "We must do well indeed."
With mighty blows they shatter all their spears;
Five score thousand swords from their scabbards leap,
Slaughter then, grim and sorrowful, you'd seen.
Battle he saw, that stood those hosts between.246
That Emperour calls on his Franks and speaks:
"I love you, lords, in whom I well believe;
So many great battles you've fought for me,
Kings overthrown, and kingdoms have redeemed!
Guerdon I owe, I know it well indeed;
My lands, my wealth, my body are yours to keep.
For sons, for heirs, for brothers wreak
Who in Rencesvals were slaughtered yester-eve!
Mine is the right, ye know, gainst pagan breeds."
Answer the Franks: "Sire, 'tis the truth you speak."
Twenty thousand beside him Charles leads,
Who with one voice have sworn him fealty;
In straits of death they never will him leave.
There is not one thenceforth employs his spear,
But with their swords they strike in company.
The battle is straitened marvellously.247
Across that field the bold Malprimes canters;
Who of the Franks hath wrought there much great damage.
Naimes the Duke right haughtily regards him,
And goes to strike him, like a man of valour,
And of his shield breaks all the upper margin,
Tears both the sides of his embroidered ha'berk,
Through the carcass thrusts all his yellow banner;
So dead among sev'n hundred else he casts him.248
King Canabeus, brother of the admiral,
Has pricked his horse with spurs in either flank;
He's drawn his sword, whose hilt is of crystal,
And strikes Naimun on's helmet principal;
Away from it he's broken off one half,
Five of the links his brand of steel hath knapped;
No pennyworth the hood is after that;
Right to the flesh he slices through the cap;
One piece of it he's flung upon the land.
Great was the blow; the Duke, amazed thereat,
Had fallen ev'n, but aid from God he had;
His charger's neck he clasped with both his hands.
Had the pagan but once renewed the attack,
Then was he slain, that noble old vassal.
Came there to him, with succour, Charles of France.249
Keen anguish then he suffers, that Duke Naimes,
And the pagan, to strike him, hotly hastens.
"Culvert," says Charles, "You'll get now as you gave him!"
With vassalage he goes to strike that pagan,
Shatters his shield, against his heart he breaks it,
Tears the chin-guard above his hauberk mailed;
So flings him dead: his saddle shall be wasted.250
Bitter great grief has Charlemagne the King,
Who Duke Naimun before him sees lying,
On the green grass all his clear blood shedding.
Then the Emperour to him this counsel gives:
"Fair master Naimes, canter with me to win!
The glutton's dead, that had you straitly pinned;
Through his carcass my spear I thrust once in."
Answers the Duke: "Sire, I believe it, this.
Great proof you'll have of valour, if I live."
They 'ngage them then, true love and faith swearing;
A thousand score of Franks surround them still.
Nor is there one, but slaughters, strikes and kills.251
Then through the field cantered that admiral,
Going to strike the county Guineman;
Against his heart his argent shield he cracked,
The folds of his hauberk apart he slashed,
Two of his ribs out of his side he hacked,
So flung him dead, while still his charger ran.
After, he slew Gebuin and Lorain,
Richard the old, the lord of those Normans.
"Preciuse," cry pagans, "is valiant!
Baron, strike on; here have we our warrant!"252
Who then had seen those Arrabit chevaliers,
From Occiant, from Argoille and from Bascle!
And well they strike and slaughter with their lances;
But Franks, to escape they think it no great matter;
On either side dead men to the earth fall crashing.
Till even-tide 'tis very strong, that battle;
Barons of France do suffer much great damage,
Grief shall be there ere the two hosts be scattered.253
Right well they strike, both Franks and Arrabies,
Breaking the shafts of all their burnished spears.
Whoso had seen that shattering of shields,
Whoso had heard those shining hauberks creak,
And heard those shields on iron helmets beat,
Whoso had seen fall down those chevaliers,
And heard men groan, dying upon that field,
Some memory of bitter pains might keep.
That battle is most hard to endure, indeed.
And the admiral calls upon Apollin
And Tervagan and Mahum, prays and speaks:
"My lords and gods, I've done you much service;
Your images, in gold I'll fashion each;
Against Carlun give me your warranty!"
Comes before him his dear friend Gemalfin,
Evil the news he brings to him and speaks:
"Sir Baliganz, this day in shame you're steeped;
For you have lost your son, even Malprime;
And Canabeus, your brother, slain is he.
Fairly two Franks have got the victory;
That Emperour was one, as I have seen;
Great limbs he has, he's every way Marquis,
White is his beard as flowers in April."
That admiral has bent his head down deep,
And thereafter lowers his face and weeps,
Fain would he die at once, so great his grief;
He calls to him Jangleu from over sea.254
Says the admiral, "Jangleu, beside me stand!
For you are proof, and greatly understand,
Counsel from you I've ever sought to have.
How seems it you, of Arrabits and Franks,
Shall we from hence victorious go back?"
He answers him: "Slain are you, Baligant!
For from your gods you'll never have warrant.
So proud is Charles, his men so valiant,
Never saw I a race so combatant.
But call upon barons of Occiant,
Turks and Enfruns, Arrabits and Giants.
No more delay: what must be, take in hand."255
That admiral has shaken out his beard
That ev'n so white as thorn in blossom seems;
He'll no way hide, whateer his fate may be,
Then to his mouth he sets a trumpet clear,
And clearly sounds, so all the pagans hear.
Throughout the field rally his companies.
From Occiant, those men who bray and bleat,
And from Argoille, who, like dogs barking, speak;
Seek out the Franks with such a high folly,
Break through their line, the thickest press they meet
Dead from that shock they've seven thousand heaped.256
The count Oger no cowardice e'er knew,
Better vassal hath not his sark indued.
He sees the Franks, their columns broken through,
So calls to him Duke Tierris, of Argune,
Count Jozeran, and Gefreid, of Anjou;
And to Carlun most proud his reason proves:
"Behold pagans, and how your men they slew!
Now from your head please God the crown remove
Unless you strike, and vengeance on them do!"
And not one word to answer him he knew;
They spurred in haste, their horses let run loose,
And, wheresoeer they met the pagans, strook.257
Now very well strikes the King Charlemagne,
Naimes the Duke, also Oger the Dane,
Geifreid d'Anjou, who that ensign displays.
Exceeding proof is Don Oger, the Dane;
He spurs his horse, and lets him run in haste,
So strikes that man who the dragon displays.
Both in the field before his feet he breaks
That king's ensign and dragon, both abased.
Baligant sees his gonfalon disgraced,
And Mahumet's standard thrown from its place;
That admiral at once perceives it plain,
That he is wrong, and right is Charlemain.
Pagan Arabs coyly themselves contain;
That Emperour calls on his Franks again:
"Say, barons, come, support me, in God's Name!"
Answer the Franks, "Question you make in vain;
All felon he that dares not exploits brave!"258
Passes that day, turns into vesper-tide.
Franks and pagans still with their swords do strike.
Brave vassals they, who brought those hosts to fight,
Never have they forgotten their ensigns;
That admiral still "Preciuse" doth cry,
Charles "Monjoie," renowned word of pride.
Each the other knows by his clear voice and high;
Amid the field they're both come into sight,
Then, as they go, great blows on either side
They with their spears on their round targes strike;
And shatter them, beneath their buckles wide;
And all the folds of their hauberks divide;
But bodies, no; wound them they never might.
Broken their girths, downwards their saddles slide;
Both those Kings fall, themselves aground do find;
Nimbly enough upon their feet they rise;
Most vassal-like they draw their swords outright.
From this battle they'll ne'er be turned aside
Nor make an end, without that one man die.259
A great vassal was Charles, of France the Douce;
That admiral no fear nor caution knew.
Those swords they had, bare from their sheaths they drew;
Many great blows on 's shield each gave and took;
The leather pierced, and doubled core of wood;
Down fell the nails, the buckles brake in two;
Still they struck on, bare in their sarks they stood.
From their bright helms the light shone forth anew.
Finish nor fail that battle never could
But one of them must in the wrong be proved.260
Says the admiral: "Nay, Charles, think, I beg,
And counsel take that t'wards me thou repent!
Thou'st slain my son, I know that very well;
Most wrongfully my land thou challengest;
Become my man, a fief from me thou'lt get;
Come, serving me, from here to the Orient!"
Charle answers him: "That were most vile offence;
No peace nor love may I to pagan lend.
Receive the Law that God to us presents,
Christianity, and then I'll love thee well;
Serve and believe the King Omnipotent!"
Says Baligant: "Evil sermon thou saist."
They go to strikewith th'swords, are on their belts.261
In the admiral is much great virtue found;
He strikes Carlun on his steel helm so brown,
Has broken it and rent, above his brow,
Through his thick hair the sword goes glancing round,
A great palm's breadth and more of flesh cuts out,
So that all bare the bone is, in that wound.
Charles tottereth, falls nearly to the ground;
God wills not he be slain or overpow'red.
Saint Gabriel once more to him comes down,
And questions him "Great King, what doest thou?"262
Charles, hearing how that holy Angel spake,
Had fear of death no longer, nor dismay;
Remembrance and a fresh vigour he's gained.
So the admiral he strikes with France's blade,
His helmet breaks, whereon the jewels blaze,
Slices his head, to scatter all his brains,
And, down unto the white beard, all his face;
So he falls dead, recovers not again.
"Monjoie," cries Charles, that all may know the tale.
Upon that word is come to him Duke Naimes,
Holds Tencendur, bids mount that King so Great.
Pagans turn back, God wills not they remain.
And Franks have all their wish, be that what may.263
Pagans are fled, ev'n as the Lord God wills;
Chase them the Franks, and the Emperour therewith.
Says the King then: "My Lords, avenge your ills,
Unto your hearts' content, do what you will!.
For tears, this morn, I saw your eyes did spill."
Answer the Franks: "Sir, even so we will."
Then such great blows, as each may strike, he gives
That few escape, of those remain there still.264
Great was the heat, the dust arose and blew;
Still pagans fled, and hotly Franks pursued.
The chase endured from there to Sarraguce.
On her tower, high up clomb Bramimunde,
Around her there the clerks and canons stood
Of the false law, whom God ne'er loved nor knew;
Orders they'd none, nor were their heads tonsured.
And when she saw those Arrabits confused
Aloud she cried: "Give us your aid, Mahume!
Ah! Noble king, conquered are all our troops,
And the admiral to shameful slaughter put!"
When Marsile heard, towards the wall he looked,
Wept from his eyes, and all his body stooped,
So died of grief. With sins he's so corrupt;
The soul of him to Hell live devils took.265
Pagans are slain; the rest are put to rout
Whom Charles hath in battle overpowered.
Of Sarraguce the gates he's battered down,
For well he knows there's no defence there now;
In come his men, he occupies that town;
And all that night they lie there in their pow'r.
Fierce is that King, with 's hoary beard, and proud,
And Bramimunde hath yielded up her towers;
But ten ere great, and lesser fifty around.
Great exploits his whom the Lord God endows!266
Passes the day, the darkness is grown deep,
But all the stars burn, and the moon shines clear.
And Sarraguce is in the Emperour's keep.
A thousand Franks he bids seek through the streets,
The synagogues and the mahumeries;
With iron malls and axes which they wield
They break the idols and all the imageries;
So there remain no fraud nor falsity.
That King fears God, and would do His service,
On water then Bishops their blessing speak,
And pagans bring into the baptistry.
If any Charles with contradiction meet
Then hanged or burned or slaughtered shall he be.
Five score thousand and more are thus redeemed,
Very Christians; save that alone the queen
To France the Douce goes in captivity;
By love the King will her conversion seek.267
Passes the night, the clear day opens now.
Of Sarraguce Charles garrisons the tow'rs;
A thousand knights he's left there, fighters stout;
Who guard that town as bids their Emperour.
After, the King and all his army mount,
And Bramimunde a prisoner is bound,
No harm to her, but only good he's vowed.
So are they come, with joy and gladness out,
They pass Nerbone by force and by vigour,
Come to Burdele, that city of high valour.
Above the altar, to Saint Sevrin endowed,
Stands the olifant, with golden pieces bound;
All the pilgrims may see it, who thither crowd.
Passing Girunde in great ships, there abound,
Ev'n unto Blaive he's brought his nephew down
And Oliver, his noble companioun,
And the Archbishop, who was so wise and proud.
In white coffers he bids them lay those counts
At Saint Romain: So rest they in that ground.
Franks them to God and to His Angels vow.
Charles canters on, by valleys and by mounts,
Not before Aix will he not make sojourn;
Canters so far, on th'terrace he dismounts.
When he is come into his lofty house,
By messengers he seeks his judges out;
Saxons, Baivers, Lotherencs and Frisouns,
Germans he calls, and also calls Borgounds;
From Normandy, from Brittany and Poitou,
And those in France that are the sagest found.
Thereon begins the cause of Gueneloun.268
That Emperour, returning out of Spain,
Arrived in France, in his chief seat, at Aix,
Clomb to th' Palace, into the hall he came.
Was come to him there Alde, that fair dame;
Said to the King: "Where's Rollanz the Captain,
Who sware to me, he'ld have me for his mate?"
Then upon Charles a heavy sorrow weighed,
And his eyes wept, he tore his beard again:
"Sister, dear friend, of a dead man you spake.
I'll give you one far better in exchange,
That is Loewis, what further can I say;
He is my son, and shall my marches take."
Alde answered him: "That word to me is strange.
Never, please God, His Angels and His Saints,
When Rollant's dead shall I alive remain!"
Her colour fails, at th' feet of Charlemain,
She falls; she's dead. Her soul God's Mercy awaits!
Barons of France weep therefore and complain.269
Alde the fair is gone now to her rest.
Yet the King thought she was but swooning then,
Pity he had, our Emperour, and wept,
Took her in's hands, raised her from th'earth again;
On her shoulders her head still drooped and leant.
When Charles saw that she was truly dead
Four countesses at once he summoned;
To a monast'ry of nuns they bare her thence,
All night their watch until the dawn they held;
Before the altar her tomb was fashioned well;
Her memory the King with honour kept.270
That Emperour is now returned to Aix.
The felon Guene, all in his iron chains
Is in that town, before the King's Palace;
Those serfs have bound him, fast upon his stake,
In deer-hide thongs his hands they've helpless made,
With clubs and whips they trounce him well and baste:
He has deserved not any better fate;
In bitter grief his trial there he awaits.271
Written it is, and in an ancient geste
How Charles called from many lands his men,
Assembled them at Aix, in his Chapelle.
Holy that day, for some chief feast was held,
Saint Silvester's that baron's, many tell.
Thereon began the trial and defence
Of Guenelun, who had the treason spelt.
Before himself the Emperour has him led.272
"Lords and barons," Charles the King doth speak,
"Of Guenelun judge what the right may be!
He was in th'host, even in Spain with me;
There of my Franks a thousand score did steal,
And my nephew, whom never more you'll see,
And Oliver, in 's pride and courtesy,
And, wealth to gain, betrayed the dozen peers."
"Felon be I," said Guenes, "aught to conceal!
He did from me much gold and wealth forfeit,
Whence to destroy and slay him did I seek;
But treason, no; I vow there's not the least."
Answer the Franks: "Take counsel now must we."273
So Guenelun, before the King there, stood;
Lusty his limbs, his face of gentle hue;
Were he loyal, right baron-like he'd looked.
He saw those Franks, and all who'ld judge his doom,
And by his side his thirty kinsmen knew.
After, he cried aloud; his voice was full:
"For th' Love of God, listen to me, baruns!
I was in th' host, beside our Emperour,
Service I did him there in faith and truth.
Hatred of me had Rollant, his nephew;
So he decreed death for me and dolour.
Message I bare to king Marsiliun;
By my cunning I held myself secure.
To that fighter Rollant my challenge threw,
To Oliver, and all their comrades too;
Charles heard that, and his noble baruns.
Vengeance I gat, but there's no treason proved."
Answered the Franks: "Now go we to the moot.274
When Guenes sees, his great cause is beginning,
Thirty he has around him of his kinsmen,
There's one of them to whom the others listen,
'Tis Pinabel, who in Sorence castle liveth;
Well can he speak, soundly his reasons giving,
A good vassal, whose arm to fight is stiffened.
Says to him Guenes: "In you my faith is fixed.
Save me this day from death, also from prison."
Says Pinabel: "Straightway you'll be delivered.
Is there one Frank, that you to hang committeth?
Let the Emperour but once together bring us,
With my steel brand he shall be smartly chidden."
Guenes the count kneels at his feet to kiss them.275
To th' counsel go those of Bavier and Saxe,
Normans also, with Poitevins and Franks;
Enough there are of Tudese and Germans.
Those of Alverne the greatest court'sy have,
From Pinabel most quietly draw back.
Says each to each: "'Twere well to let it stand.
Leave we this cause, and of the King demand
That he cry quits with Guenes for this act;
With love and faith he'll serve him after that.
Since he is dead, no more ye'll see Rollanz,
Nor any wealth nor gold may win him back.
Most foolish then is he, would do combat."
There is but one agrees not to their plan;
Tierri, brother to Don Geifreit, 's that man.276
Then his barons, returning to Carlun,
Say to their King: "Sire, we beseech of you
That you cry quits with county Guenelun,
So he may serve you still in love and truth;
Nay let him live, so noble a man 's he proved.
Rollant is dead, no longer in our view,
Nor for no wealth may we his life renew."
Then says the King: "You're felons all of you!"277
When Charles saw that all of them did fail,
Deep down he bowed his head and all his face
For th' grief he had, caitiff himself proclaimed.
One of his knights, Tierris, before him came,
Gefrei's brother, that Duke of Anjou famed;
Lean were his limbs, and lengthy and delicate,
Black was his hair and somewhat brown his face;
Was not too small, and yet was hardly great;
And courteously to the Emperour he spake:
"Fair' Lord and King, do not yourself dismay!
You know that I have served you many ways:
By my ancestors should I this cause maintain.
And if Rollant was forfeited to Guenes
Still your service to him full warrant gave.
Felon is Guene, since th' hour that he betrayed,
And, towards you, is perjured and ashamed:
Wherefore I judge that he be hanged and slain,
His carcass flung to th' dogs beside the way,
As a felon who felony did make.
But, has he a friend that would dispute my claim
With this my sword which I have girt in place
My judgement will I warrant every way."
Answer the Franks: "Now very well you spake."278
Before the King is come now Pinabel;
Great is he, strong, vassalous and nimble;
Who bears his blow has no more time to dwell:
Says to him: "Sire, on you this cause depends;
Command therefore this noise be made an end.
See Tierri here, who hath his judgment dealt;
I cry him false, and will the cause contest."
His deer-hide glove in the King's hand he's left.
Says the Emperour: "Good pledges must I get."
Thirty kinsmen offer their loyal pledge.
"I'll do the same for you," the King has said;
Until the right be shewn, bids guard them well.279
When Tierri sees that battle shall come after,
His right hand glove he offereth to Chares.
That Emperour by way of hostage guards it;
Four benches then upon the place he marshals
Where sit them down champions of either party.
They're chos'n aright, as the others' judgement cast them;
Oger the Dane between them made the parley.
Next they demand their horses and their armour.280
For battle, now, ready you might them see,
They're well confessed, absolved, from sin set free;
Masses they've heard, Communion received,
Rich offerings to those minsters they leave.
Before Carlun now both the two appear:
They have their spurs, are fastened on their feet,
And, light and strong, their hauberks brightly gleam;
Upon their heads they've laced their helmets clear,
And girt on swords, with pure gold hilted each;
And from their necks hang down their quartered shields;
In their right hands they grasp their trenchant spears.
At last they mount on their swift coursing steeds.
Five score thousand chevaliers therefor weep,
For Rollant's sake pity for Tierri feel.
God knows full well which way the end shall be.281
Down under Aix there is a pasture large
Which for the fight of th' two barons is marked.
Proof men are these, and of great vassalage,
And their horses, unwearied, gallop fast;
They spur them well, the reins aside they cast,
With virtue great, to strike each other, dart;
All of their shields shatter and rend apart.
Their hauberks tear; the girths asunder start,
The saddles slip, and fall upon the grass.
Five score thousand weep, who that sight regard.282
Upon the ground are fallen both the knights;
Nimbly enough upon their feet they rise.
Nimble and strong is Pinabels, and light.
Each the other seeks; horses are out of mind,
But with those swords whose hilts with gold are lined
Upon those helms of steel they beat and strike:
Great are the blows, those helmets to divide.
The chevaliers of France do much repine.
"O God!" says Charles, "Make plain to us the right!"283
Says Pinabel "Tierri, I pray thee, yield:
I'll be thy man, in love and fealty;
For the pleasure my wealth I'll give to thee;
But make the King with Guenelun agree."
Answers Tierri: "Such counsel's not for me.
Pure felon I, if e'er I that concede!
God shall this day the right shew, us between!"284
Then said Tierri "Bold art thou, Pinabel,
Thou'rt great and strong, with body finely bred;
For vassalage thy peers esteem thee well:
Of this battle let us now make an end!
With Charlemagne I soon will have thee friends;
To Guenelun such justice shall be dealt
Day shall not dawn but men of it will tell."
"Please the Lord God, not so!" said Pinabel.
"I would sustain the cause of my kindred
No mortal man is there from whom I've fled;
Rather I'ld die than hear reproaches said."
Then with their swords began to strike again
Upon those helms that were with gold begemmed
Into the sky the bright sparks rained and fell.
It cannot be that they be sundered,
Nor make an end, without one man be dead.285
He's very proof, Pinabel of Sorence,
Tierri he strikes, on 's helmet of Provence,
Leaps such a spark, the grass is kindled thence;
Of his steel brand the point he then presents,
On Tierri's brow the helmet has he wrenched
So down his face its broken halves descend;
And his right cheek in flowing blood is drenched;
And his hauberk, over his belly, rent.
God's his warrant, Who death from him prevents.286
Sees Tierris then 'that in the face he's struck,
On grassy field runs clear his flowing blood;
Strikes Pinabel on 's helmet brown and rough,
To the nose-piece he's broken it and cut,
And from his head scatters his brains in th' dust;
Brandishes him on th' sword, till dead he's flung.
Upon that blow is all the battle won.
Franks cry aloud: "God hath great virtue done.
It is proved right that Guenelun be hung.
And those his kin, that in his cause are come."287
Now that Tierris the battle fairly wins,
That Emperour Charles is come to him;
Forty barons are in his following.
Naimes the Duke, Oger that Danish Prince,
Geifrei d'Anjou, Willalme of Blaive therewith.
Tierri, the King takes in his arms to kiss;
And wipes his face with his great marten-skins;
He lays them down, and others then they bring;
The chevaliers most sweetly disarm him;
An Arab mule they've brought, whereon he sits.
With baronage and joy they bring him in.
They come to Aix, halt and dismount therein.
The punishment of the others then begins.288
His counts and Dukes then calls to him Carlun:
"With these I guard, advise what shall be done.
Hither they came because of Guenelun;
For Pinabel, as pledges gave them up."
Answer the Franks: "Shall not of them live one."
The King commands his provost then, Basbrun:
"Go hang them all on th' tree of cursed wood!
Nay, by this beard, whose hairs are white enough,
If one escape, to death and shame thou'rt struck!"
He answers him: "How could I act, save thus?"
With an hundred serjeants by force they come;
Thirty of them there are, that straight are hung.
Who betrays man, himself and 's friends undoes.289
Then turned away the Baivers and Germans
And Poitevins and Bretons and Normans.
Fore all the rest, 'twas voted by the Franks
That Guenes die with marvellous great pangs;
So to lead forth four stallions they bade;
After, they bound his feet and both his hands;
Those steeds were swift, and of a temper mad;
Which, by their heads, led forward four sejeants
Towards a stream that flowed amid that land.
Sones fell Gue into perdition black;
All his sinews were strained until they snapped,
And all the limbs were from his body dragged.
On the green grass his clear blood gushed and ran.
Guenes is dead, a felon recreant.
Who betrays man, need make no boast of that.290
When the Emperour had made his whole vengeance,
He called to him the Bishops out of France,
Those of Baviere and also the Germans:
"A dame free-born lies captive in my hands,
So oft she's heard sermons and reprimands,
She would fear God, and christening demands.
Baptise her then, so God her soul may have."
They answer him: "Sponsors the rite demands,
Dames of estate and long inheritance."
The baths at Aix great companies attract;
There they baptised the Queen of Sarazands,
And found for her the name of Juliane.
Christian is she by very cognisance.291
When the Emperour his justice hath achieved,
His mighty wrath's abated from its heat,
And Bramimunde has christening received;
Passes the day, the darkness is grown deep,
And now that King in 's vaulted chamber sleeps.
Saint Gabriel is come from God, and speaks:
"Summon the hosts, Charles, of thine Empire,
Go thou by force into the land of Bire,
King Vivien thou'lt succour there, at Imphe,
In the city which pagans have besieged.
The Christians there implore thee and beseech."
Right loth to go, that Emperour was he:
"God!" said the King: "My life is hard indeed!"
Tears filled his eyes, he tore his snowy beard.So ends the tale which Turold hath conceived.
CCXXXIV Li amiralz .X. escheles ad justedes:
La premere est des jaianz de Malprese,
L'altre est de Hums e la terce de Hungres,
E la quarte est de Baldise la lunge
E la quinte est de cels de Val Penuse
E la siste est de [...] Maruse,
E la sedme est de Leus e d'Astrimónies;
L'oidme est d'Argoilles e la noefme de Clarbone,
E la disme est des barbez de Fronde:
Ço est une gent ki Deu nen amat unkes.
Geste Francor .XXX. escheles i numbrent.
Granz sunt les oz u cez buisines sunent.
Paien chevalchent en guise de produme.CCXXXV
Li amiralz mult par est riches hoem.
Dedavant sei fait porter sun dragon
E l'estandart Tervagan e Mahum
E un ymagene Apolin le felun.
Des Canelius chevalchent envirun.
Mult haltement escrient un sermun:
«Ki par noz Deus voelt aveir guarison,
Sis prit e servet par grant afflictiun!»
Paien i baissent lur chefs e lur mentun;
Lor helmes clers i suzclinent enbrunc.
Dient F[r]anceis: «Sempres murrez, glutun!
De vos seit hoi male confusiun!
Li nostre Deu, guarantisez Carlun!
Ceste bataille seit ju(ic)get en sun num!»CCXXXVI
Li amiralz est mult de grant saveir;
A sei apelet sis filz e les dous reis:
«Seignurs barons, devant chevalchereiz,
Mes escheles tutes les guiereiz;
Mais des meillors voeill jo retenir treis:
L'un ert de Turcs e l'altre d'Ormaleis,
E la terce est des jaianz de Malpreis.
Cil d'Ociant ierent e[n]sembl'ot mei,
Si justerunt a Charles e a Franceis.
Li emperere, s'il se cumbat od mei,
Desur le buc la teste perdre en deit.
Trestut seit fiz, n'i avrat altre dreit.»CCXXXVII
Granz sunt les oz e les escheles beles;
Entr'els nen at ne pui ne val ne tertre,
Selve ne bois; asconse n'i poet estre;
Ben s'entreveient en mi la pleine tere.
Dist Baligant: «La meie gent averse,
Car chevalchez pur la bataille quere!»
L'enseigne portet Amborres d'Oluferne.
Paien escrient, «Precieuse» l'apelent.
Dient Franceis: «De vos seit hoi grant perte!»
Mult haltement: «Munjoie!» renuvelent.
Li emperere i fait suner ses greisles,
E l'olifan, ki tres(tu)tuz les esclairet.
Dient paien: «La gent Ca[r]lun est bele.
Bataille avrum e aduree e pesme.»CCXXXVIII
Grant est la plaigne e large la cuntree.
Luisent cil elme as perres d'or gemmees,
E cez escuz e cez bronies safrees,
E cez espiez, cez enseignes fermees.
Sunent cez greisles, les voiz en sunt mult cleres;
De l'olifan haltes sunt les menees.
Li amiralz en apelet sun frere,
Ço est Canabeus, li reis de Floredee:
Cil tint la terre entresqu'en Val Sevree.
Les escheles Charlun li ad mustrees:
«Veez l'orgoil de France la loee!
Mult fierement chevalchet li emperere;
Il est darere od cele gent barbee.
Desur lur bronies lur barbes unt getees,
Altresi blanches cume neif sur gelee.
Cil i ferrunt de lances e d'espees,
Bataille avrum e forte e aduree:
Unkes nuls hom ne vit tel ajustee.»
Plus qu'om ne lancet une verge pelee,
Baligant ad ses cumpaignes trespassees.
Une raisun lur ad dit e mustree:
«Venez, paien, kar jo(n) irai en l'estree.»
De sun espiet la hanste en ad branlee;
Envers Karlun la mure en ad turnee.CCXXXIX
Carles li magnes, cum il vit l'amiraill,
E le dragon, l'enseigne e l'estandart,
De cels d'Arabe si grant force i par (ar)ad,
De la cuntree unt purprises les parz,
Ne mes que tant (scue)[cume] l'empereres en ad,
Li reis de France s'en escriet mult halt:
«Barons franceis, vos estes bons vassals.
Tantes batailles avez faites en camps!
Veez paien: felun sunt e cuart,
Tutes lor leis un dener ne lur valt.
S'il unt grant gent, d'iço, seignurs, qui calt?
Ki errer voelt, a mei venir s'en alt!»
Des esperons puis brochet le cheval,
E Tencendor li (a)ad fait .IIII. salz.
Dient Franceis: «Icist reis est vassals!
Chevalchez, bers! Nul de nus ne vus falt.»CCXL
Clers fut li jurz e li soleilz luisanz.
Les oz sunt beles e les cumpaignes granz.
Justees sunt les escheles devant.
Li quens Rabels e li quens Guinemans
Lascent les resnes a lor cevals curanz,
Brochent a eit; dunc laisent curre Francs:
Si vunt ferir de lur espiez trenchanz.CCXLI
Li quens Rabels est chevaler hardiz,
Le cheval brochet des esperuns d'or fin,
Si vait ferir Torleu, le rei persis,
N'escut ne bronie ne pout sun colp tenir:
L'espiet a or li ad enz el cors mis,
Que mort l'abat sur un boissun petit.
Dient F[r]anceis: «Damnedeus nos aït!»
Carles ad dreit, ne li devom faillir.»CCXLII
E Guineman justet a un rei leutice.
Tute li freint la targe, ki est flurie;
Apres li ad la bronie descunfite;
Tute l'enseigne li ad enz el cors mise,
Que mort l'abat, ki qu'en plurt u kin riet.
A icest colp cil de France s'esc(ri)rient:
«Ferez, baron, ne vos targez mie!
Carles ad dreit vers la gent [pa]iesnie;
Deus nus ad mis al plus verai juïse.»CCXLIII
Malpramis siet sur un cheval tut blanc;
Cunduit sun cors en la presse des Francs.
De (u) uns es altres granz colps i vait ferant,
L'un mort sur l'altre suvent vait trescevant.
Tut premereins s'escriet Baligant:
«Li mien baron, nurrit vos ai lung tens.
Veez mun fils, Carlun le vait querant,
A ses armes tanz barons calunjant:
Meillor vassal de lui ja ne demant.
Succurez le a voz espiez trenchant!»
A icest mot paien venent avant,
Durs colps i fierent, mult est li caples granz.
La bataille est merveilluse e pesant:
Ne fut si fort enceis ne puis cel tens.CCXLIV
Granz sunt les oz e les cumpaignes fieres,
Justees sunt trestutes les escheles,
E li paien merveillusement fierent.
Deus! tantes hanstes i ad par mi brisees,
Escuz fruisez e bronies desmaillees!
La veïsez la tere si junchee:
L'erbe del camp, ki est verte e delgee
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Li amiralz recleime sa maisnee:
«Ferez, baron, sur la gent chrestiene!»
La bataille est mult dure e afichee;
Unc einz ne puis ne fut si fort ajustee;
Josqu'a la [nuit] nen ert fins otriee.CCXLV
Li amiralz la sue gent apelet:
«Ferez, paien: por el venud n'i estes!
Jo vos durrai muillers gentes e beles,
Si vos durai feus e honors e teres.»
Paien respundent: «Nus le devuns ben fere.»
A colps pleners de lor espiez i perdent:
Plus de cent milie espees i unt traites.
Ais vos le caple e dulurus e pesmes;
Bataille veit cil ki entr'els volt estre.CCXLVI
Li emperere recleimet ses Franceis:
«Seignors barons, jo vos aim, si vos crei.
Tantes batailles avez faites pur mei,
Regnes cunquis e desordenet reis!
Ben le conuis que gueredun vos en dei
E de mun cors, de terres e d'aveir.
Vengez voz fi[l]z, voz freres e voz heirs,
Qu'en Rencesvals furent morz l'altre seir!
Ja savez vos cuntre paiens ai dreit.»
Respondent Franc: «Sire, vos dites veir.»
Itels .XX. miliers en ad od sei,
Cumunement l'en prametent lor feiz,
Ne li faldrunt pur mort ne pur destreit.
N'en i ad cel sa lance n'i empleit;
De lur espees i fierent demaneis.
La bataille est de merveillus destreit.CCXLVII
E Malpramis parmi le camp chevalchet;
De cels de France i fait mult grant damage.
Naimes li dux fierement le reguardet,
Vait le ferir cum hume vertudable.
De sun escut li freint la pene halte,
De sun osberc les dous pans li desaffret;
El cors li met tute l'enseigne jalne,
Que mort [l'abat] entre .VII.C. des altres.CCXLVIII
Reis Canabeus, le frere a l'amiraill,
Des esporuns ben brochot sun cheval;
Trait ad l'espee, le punt est de cristal,
Si fiert Naimun en l'elme principal:
L'une meitiet l'en fruissed d'une part,
Al brant d'acer l'en trenchet .V. des laz,
Li capelers un dener ne li valt;
Trenchet la coife entresque a la char,
Jus a la tere une piece en abat.
Granz fut li colps, li dux en estonat,
Sempres caïst, se Deus ne li aidast.
De sun destrer le col en enbraçat.
Se li paiens une feiz recuvrast,
Sempres fust mort li nobilies vassal.
Carles de France i vint, kil succurat.CCXLIX
Naimes li dux tant par est anguissables,
E li paiens de ferir mult le hastet.
Carles li dist: «Culvert, mar le baillastes!»
Vait le ferir par sun grant vasselage:
L'escut li freint, cuntre le coer li quasset,
De sun osberc li desrumpt la ventaille,
Que mort l'abat: la sele en remeint guaste.CCL
Mult ad grant doel Carlemagnes li reis,
Quant Naimun veit nafret devant sei,
Sur l'erbe verte le sanc tut cler caeir.
Li empereres li ad dit a cunseill:
«Bel sire Naimes, kar chevalcez od mei!
Morz est li gluz ki en destreit vus teneit;
El cors li mis mun espiet une feiz.»
Respunt li dux: «Sire, jo vos en crei.
Se jo vif alques, mult grant prod i avreiz.»
Puis sunt justez par amur e par feid,
Ensembl'od els tels .XX. milie Franceis.
N'i ad celoi que n'i fierge o n'i capleit.CCLI
Li amiralz chevalchet par le camp,
Si vait ferir le cunte Guneman,
Cuntre le coer li fruisset l'escut blanc,
De sun osberc li derumpit les pans,
Les dous costez li deseivret des flancs,
Que mort l'abat de sun cheval curant.
Puis ad ocis Gebuin e Lorain,
Richard le Veill, li sire des Normans.
Paien escrient: «Preciuse est vaillant!
Ferez, baron, nus i avom guarant!»CCLII
Ki puis veist li chevaler d'Arabe,
Cels d'Occiant e d'Argoillie e de Bascle!
De lur espiez ben i fierent e caplent;
E li Franceis n'unt talent que s'en algent;
Asez i moerent e des uns e des altres.
Entresqu'al vespre est mult fort la bataille,
Des francs barons i ad mult gran damage.
Doel i avrat, enceis qu'ele departed.CCLIII
Mult ben i fierent Franceis e Arrabit;
Fruissent cil hanste se cil espiez furbit.
Ki dunc veïst cez escuz si malmis,
Cez blancs osbercs ki dunc oïst fremir,
E cez escuz sur cez helmes cruisir,
Cez chevalers ki dunc veïst caïr
E humes braire, contre tere murir,
De grant dulor li poüst suvenir!
Ceste bataille est mult fort a suffrir.
Li amiralz recleimet Apolin
E Tervagan e Mahumet altresi:
«Mi Damnedeu, jo vos ai mult servit!
Tutes tes ymagenes ferai d'or fin.»
. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .
As li devant un soen drut, Gemalfin.
Males nuveles li aportet e dit:
«Baligant, sire, mal este oi baillit.
Perdut avez Malpramis vostre fils,
E Canabeus, vostre frere, est ocis.
A dous Franceis belement en avint.
Li empereres en est l'uns, ço m'est vis:
Granz ad le cors, ben resenblet marchis;
Blanc[he] ad la barbe cume flur en avrill.»
Li amiralz en ad le helme enclin,
E en apres sin enbrunket sun vis:
Si grant doel ad sempres quiad murir.
Sin apelat Jangleu l'Ultremarin.CCLIV
Dist l'amiraill: «Jangleu, venez avant!
Vos estes proz e vostre saveir est grant;
Vostre conseill ai oc evud tuz tens.
Que vos en semblet d'Arrabiz e de Francs?
Avrum nos la victorie del champ?»
E cil respunt: «Morz estes, Baligant!
Ja vostre deu ne vos erent guarant.
Carles est fiers e si hume vaillant;
Unc ne vi gent ki si fust cumbatant.
Mais reclamez les barons d'Occiant,
Turcs e Enfruns, Arabiz e Jaianz.
Ço que estre en deit, ne l'alez demurant.»CCLV
Li amiraill ad sa barbe fors mise,
Altresi blanche cume flur en espine:
Cument qu'il seit, ne s'i voelt celer mie.
Met a sa buche une clere buisine,
Sunet la cler, que si paien l'oïrent;
Par tut le camp ses cumpaignes ralient.
Cil d'Ociant i braient e henissent,
Arguille si cume chen i glatissent;
Requerent Franc par si grant estultie,
El plus espes ses rumpent e partissent:
A icest colp en jetent mort .VII. milie.CCLVI
Li quens Oger cuardise n'out unkes;
Meillor vassal de lui ne vestit bronie.
Quant de Franceis les escheles vit rumpre,
Si apelat Tierri, le duc d'Argone,
Gefrei d'Anjou e Jozeran le cunte,
Mult fierement Carles en araisunet:
«Veez paien cum ocient voz humes!
Ja Deu ne placet qu'el chef portez corone,
S'or n'i ferez pur venger vostre hunte.»
N'i ad icel ki un sul mot respundet:
Brochent ad eit, lor cevals laissent cure,
Vunt les ferir la o il les encuntrent.CCLVII
Mult ben i fiert Carlemagnes li reis,
Naimes li dux e Oger li Daneis,
Geifreid d'Anjou ki l'enseigne teneit.
Mult par est proz danz Ogers li Daneis!
Puint le ceval, laisset curre ad espleit,
Si vait ferir celui ki le dragun teneit,
Qu'Ambure cravente en la place devant sei
E le dragon e l'enseigne le rei.
Baligant veit sun gunfanun cadeir
E l'estandart Mahumet remaneir.
Li amiralz alques s'en aperceit
Que il ad tort e Carlemagnes dreit.
Paien d'Arabe s'en turnent plus .C.
Li emperere recleimet ses parenz:
«Dites, baron, por Deu, si m'aidereiz.»
Respundent Francs: «Mar le demandereiz.
Trestut seit fel ki n'i fierget a espleit!»CCLVIII
Passet li jurz, si turnet a la vespree.
Franc e paien i fierent des espees.
Cil sunt vassal ki les oz ajusterent.
Lor enseignes n'i unt mie ubliees:
Li amira[l]z «Preciuse!» ad criee,
Carles «Munjoie!», l'enseigne renumee.
L'un conuist l'altre as haltes voiz e as cleres;
En mi le camp amdui s'entr'encuntrerent:
Si se vunt ferir, granz colps s'entredunerent
De lor espiez en lor targes roees.
Fraites les unt desuz cez bucles lees.
De lor osbercs les pans en desevrerent:
Dedenz cez cors mie ne s'adeserent:
Rumpent cez cengles e cez seles verserent,
Cheent li rei, a tere se turbecherent,
Isnelement sur lor piez releverent.
Mult vassalment unt traites les espees.
Ceste bataille n'en ert mais destornee:
Seinz hume mort ne poet estre achevee.CCLIX
Mult est vassal Carles de France dulce;
Li amiralt, il nel crent ne ne dutet.
Cez lor espees tutes nues i mustrent,
Sur cez escuz mult granz colps s'entredunent,
Trenchent les quirs e cez fuz ki sunt dubles;
Cheent li clou, si pecerent les bucles;
Puis fierent il nud a nud sur les bronies;
Des helmes clers li fous en escarbunet.
Ceste bataille ne poet remaneir unkes,
Josque li uns sun tort i reconuisset.CCLX
Dist l'amiraill: «Carles, kar te purpenses,
Si pren cunseill que vers mei te repentes!
Mort as (...) mun filz, par le men esciente;
A mult grant tort mun païs me calenges;
Deven mes hom, en fedeltet voeill rendre;
Ven mei servir d'ici qu'en Oriente!»
Carles respunt: «Mult grant viltet me sembl[e];
Pais ne amor ne dei a paien rendre.
Receif la lei que Deus nos apresentet,
Christientet, e pui te amerai sempres;
Puis serf e crei le rei omnipotente!»
Dist Baligant: «Malvais sermun cumences!»
Puis vunt ferir des espees qu'unt ceintes.CCLXI
Li amiralz est mult de grant vertut.
Fier Carlemagne sur l'elme d'acer brun,
Desur la teste li ad frait e fendut;
Met li l'espee sur les chevels menuz,
Prent de la carn grant pleine palme e plus:
Iloec endreit remeint li os tut nut.
Carles cancelet, por poi qu'il n'est caüt;
Mais Deus ne volt qu'il seit mort ne vencut.
Seint Gabriel est repairet a lui,
Si li demande: «Reis magnes, que fais tu?»CCLXII
Quant Carles oït la seinte voiz de l'angle,
N'en ad poür ne de murir dutance;
Repairet loi vigur e remembrance.
Fiert l'amiraill de l'espee de France,
L'elme li freint o li gemme reflambent,
[T]renchet la teste pur la cervele espandre
[E] tut le vis tresqu'en la barbe blanche,
Que mort l'abat senz nule recuvrance.
«Munjoie!» escriet pur la reconuisance.
A icest mot venuz i est dux Neimes:
Prent Tencendur, muntet i est li reis magnes.
Paien s'en turnent, ne volt Deus qu'il i remainent.
Or sunt Franceis a icels qu'il demandent.CCLXIII
Paien s'en fuient, cum Damnesdeus le volt.
Encalcent Francs e l'emperere avoec.
Ço dist li reis: «Seignurs, vengez voz doels,
Si esclargiez voz talenz e voz coers,
Kar hoi matin vos vi plurer des oilz.»
Respondent Franc: «Sire, çó nus estoet.»
Cascuns i fiert tanz granz colps cum il poet.
Poi s'en estoerstrent d'icels ki sunt iloec.CCLXIV
Granz est li calz, si se levet la puldre.
Paien s'en fuient e Franceis les anguissent;
Li enchalz duret d'ici qu'en Sarraguce.
En sum sa tur muntee est Bramidonie,
Ensembl'od li si clerc e si canonie
De false lei, que Deus nen amat unkes:
Ordres nen unt ne en lor chefs corones.
Quant ele vit Arrabiz si cunfundre,
A halte voiz s'escrie: «Aiez nos, Mahum!
E! gentilz reis, ja sunt vencuz noz humes,
Li amiralz ocis a si grant hunte!»
Quant l'ot Marsilie, vers sa pareit se turnet,
Pluret des oilz, tute sa chere enbrunchet:
Morz est de doel. Si cum pecchet l'encumbret,
L'anme de lui as vifs diables dunet.CCLXV
Paien sunt morz, alquant cunfundue,
E Carles ad sa bataille vencue.
De Sarraguce ad la porte abatue:
Or set il ben que n'est mais defendue.
Prent la citet, od sa gent i est venue;
Par poestet icele noit i jurent.
Fiers est li reis a la barbe canue,
E Bramidonie les turs li ad rendues:
Les dis sunt grandes, les cinquante menues.
Mult ben espleitet qui Damnesdeus aiuet.CCLXVI
Passet li jurz, la noit est aserie;
Clers est la lune e les esteiles flambient.
Li emperere ad Sarraguce prise.
A mil Franceis funt ben cercer la vile,
Les sinagoges e les mahumeries;
A mailz de fer e a cuignees qu'ils tindrent,
Fruissent les ymagenes e trestutes les ydeles:
N'i remeindrat ne sorz ne falserie.
Li reis creit en Deu, faire voelt sun servise;
E si evesque les eves beneïssent,
Meinent paien ent[r]esqu'al baptisterie:
S'or i ad cel qui Carles cuntredie voillet,
Il le fait pendre o ardeir ou ocire.
Baptizet sunt asez plus de .C. milie
Veir chrestien, ne mais sul la reïne.
En France dulce iert menee caitive:
Ço voelt li reis par amur cunvertisset.CCLXVII
Passet la noit, si apert le cler jor.
De Sarraguce Carles guarnist les turs;
Mil chevalers i laissat puigneürs;
Guardent la vile a oes l'empereor.
Mandet li reis e si hume trestuz
E Bramidonie, qu'il meinet en sa prisun;
Mais n'ad talent que li facet se bien nun.
Repairez sunt a joie e a baldur.
Passent Nerbone par force e par vigur;
Vint a Burdeles la citet de...
Desur l'alter seint Severin le baron
Met l'oliphan plein d'or e de manguns:
Li pelerin le veient ki la vunt.
Passet Girunde a mult granz nefs qu'i sunt;
Entresque a Blaive ad cunduit sun nevold
E Oliver, sun nobilie cumpaignun,
E l'arcevesque, ki fut sages e proz.
En blancs sarcous fait metre les seignurs
A Seint Romain; la gisent li baron.
Francs les cumandent a Deu e a ses nuns.
Carles cevalchet e les vals e les munz;
Entresqu'a Ais ne volt prendre sujurn.
Tant chevalchat qu'il descent al perrun.
Cume il est en sun paleis halçur,
Par ses messages mandet ses jugeors:
Baivers e Saisnes, Loherencs e Frisuns;
Alemans mandet, si mandet Borguignuns,
E Peitevins e Normans e Bretuns,
De cels de France des plus saives qui sunt.
Des ore cumencet le plait de Guenelun.CCLXVIII
Li empereres est repairet d'Espaigne,
E vient a Ais, al meillor sied de France;
Muntet el palais, est venut en la sale.
As li Alde venue, une bele damisele.
Ço dist al rei: «O est Rollant le catanie,
Ki me jurat cume sa per a prendre?»
Carles en ad e dulor e pesance,
Pluret des oilz, tiret sa barbe blance:
«Soer, cher'amie, de hume mort me demandes.
Jo t'en durai mult esforcet eschange:
Ço est Loewis, mielz ne sai a parler;
Il est mes filz e si tendrat mes marches.»
Alde respunt: «Cest mot mei est estrange.
Ne place Deu ne ses seinz ne ses angles
Apres Rollant que jo vive remaigne!»
Pert la culor, chet as piez Carlemagne,
Sempres est morte, Deus ait mercit de l'anme!
Franceis barons en plurent e si la pleignent.CCLXIX
Alde la bel[e] est a sa fin alee.
Quidet li reis que el[le] se seit pasmee;
Pited en ad, sin pluret l'emperere;
Prent la as mains, si l'en ad relevee.
Desur l(es)[']espalles ad la teste clinee.
Quant Carles veit que morte l'ad truvee,
Quatre cuntesses sempres i ad mandees.
A un muster de nuneins est portee;
La noit la guaitent entresqu'a l 'ajurnee.
Lunc un alter belement l'enterrerent.
Mult grant honor i ad li reis dunee,CCLXX
Li emperere est repairet ad Ais.
Guenes li fels, en caeines de fer,
En la citet est devant le paleis.
A un estache l'unt atachet cil serf,
Les mains li lient a curreies de cerf;
Tres ben le batent a fuz e a jamelz:
N'ad deservit que altre ben i ait;
A grant dulur iloec atent sun plait.CCLXXI
Il est escrit en l'anciene geste
Que Carles mandet humes de plusurs teres.
Asemblez sunt ad Ais, a la capele.
Halz est li jurz, mult par est grande la feste,
Dient alquanz del baron seint Silvestre.
Des ore cumencet le plait e les noveles
De Guenelun, ki traïsun ad faite.
Li emperere devant sei l'ad fait traire.CCLXXII
«Seignors barons» dist Carlemagnes li reis,
«De Guenelun car me jugez le dreit!
Il fut en l'ost tresque en Espaigne od mei,
Si me tolit .XX. milie de mes Franceis
E mun nevold, que ja mais ne verreiz,
E Oliver, li proz e li curteis;
Les .XII. pers ad traït por aveir.»
Dist Guenelon: «Fel seie se jol ceil!
Rollant me forfist en or et en aveir,
Pur que jo quis sa mort e sun destreit;
Mais traïsun nule n'en i otrei.»
Respundent Franc: «Ore en tendrum cunseill.»CCLXXIII
Devant le rei la s'estut Guenelun:
Cors ad gaillard, el vis gente color;
S'il fust leials, ben resemblast barun.
Veit cels de France e tuz les jugeürs,
De ses parenz .XXX. ki od lui sunt;
Puis s'escriat haltement, a grant voeiz:
«Por amor Deu, car m'entendez, barons!
Seignors, jo fui en l'ost avoec l'empereür,
Serveie le par feid e par amur.
Rollant sis nies me coillit en haür,
Si me jugat a mort e a dulur.
Message fui al rei Marsiliun;
Par mun saveir vinc jo a guarisun.
Jo desfiai Rollant le poigneor
E Oliver e tuiz lur cumpaignun;
Carles l'oïd e si nobilie baron.
Venget m'en sui, mais n'i ad traïsun.»
Respundent Francs: «A conseill en irums.»CCLXXIV
Quant Guenes veit que ses granz plaiz cumencet,
De ses parenz ensemble [od li] i out trente.
Un en i ad a qui li altre entendent:
Ço est Pinabel del castel de Sorence;
Ben set parler e dreite raisun rendre;
Vassals est bons por ses armes defendre,
Ço li dist Guenes: «En vos [...] ami...
Getez mei hoi de mort e de calunje!»
Dist Pinabel: «Vos serez guarit sempres.
N'i ad Frances ki vos juget a pendre,
U l'emper[er]e les noz dous cors en asemblet,
Al b(a)rant d'acer que jo ne l'en desmente.»
Guenes li quens a ses piez se presente.CCLXXV
Bavier e Saisnes sunt alet a conseill,
E Peitevin e Norman e Franceis;
Asez i ad Alemans e tTiedeis.
Icels d'Alverne(ne) i sunt li plus curteis;
Pur Pinabel se cuntienent plus quei.
Dist l'un a l'altre: «Bien fait a remaneir!
Laisum le plait e si preium le rei
Que Guenelun cleimt quite ceste feiz,
Puis si li servet par amur e par feid.
Morz est Rollant, ja mais nel revereiz;
N'ert recuvret por ór ne por aveir:
Mult sereit fols ki [l]a(a) se cumbatreit.»
N'en i ad celoi nel graant e otreit,
Fors sul Tierri, le frere(re) dam Geifreit.CCLXXVI
A Charlemagne repairent si barun;
Dient al rei: «Sire, nus vos prium
Que clamez quite le cunte Guenelun,
Puis si vos servet par feid e par amor.
Vivre le laisez, car mult est gentilz hoem.
Ja por murir n'en ert veüd gerun,
Ne por aveir ja nel recuverum.»
Ço dist li reis: «Vos estes mi felun!»CCLXXVII
Quant Carles veit que tuz li sunt faillid,
Mult l'enbrunchit e la chere e le vis;
Al doel qu'il ad si se cleimet caitifs.
Ais li devant uns chevalers, [Tierris],
Frere Gefrei a un duc angevin.
Heingre out le cors e graisle e eschewid,
Neirs les chevels e alques bruns [le vis];
N'est gueres granz ne trop nen est petiz.
Curteisement a l'emperere ad dit:
«Bels sire reis, ne vos dementez si.
Ja savez vos, que mult vos ai servit;
Par anceisurs dei jo tel plait tenir.
Que que Rollant a Guenelun forsfesist,
Vostre servise l'en doüst bien guarir!
Guenes est fels d'iço qu'il le traït;
Vers vos s'en est parjurez e malmis.
Pur ço le juz jo a prendre e a murir
E sun cors metre...
Si cume fel ki felonie fist.
Se or ad parent ki m'en voeille desmentir,
A ceste espee, que jo ai ceinte ici,
Mun jugement voel sempres guarantir.»
Respundent Franc: «Or avez vos ben dit.»CCLXXVIII
Devant lu rei est venuz Pinabel,
Granz est e forz e vassals e isnel:
Qu'il fiert a colp, de sun tens n'i ad mais.
E dist al rei: «Sire, vostre est li plaiz:
Car cumandez, que tel noise n'i ait!
Ci vei Tierri, ki jugement ad fait.
Jo si li fals, od lui m'en cumbatrai.»
Met li el poign de cerf le destre guant.
Dist li emper[er]es: «Bons pleges en demant.»
.XXX. parenz l'i plevissent leial.
Ço dist li reis: «E jol vos recr[e]rai.»
Fait cels guarder tresque li dreiz en serat.CCLXXIX
Quant veit Tierri qu'or en ert la bataille,
Sun destre guant en ad presentet Carle.
Li emperere l'i recreit par hostage,
Puis fait porter .IIII. bancs en la place;
La vunt sedeir cil kis deivent cumbatre.
Ben sunt malez, par jugement des altres,
Sil purparlat Oger de Denemarche;
E puis demandent lur chevals e lur armes.CCLXXX
Puis que il sunt a bataille jugez,
Ben sunt cunfes e asols e seignez:
Oent lur messes e sunt acuminiez;
Mult granz offrendes metent par cez musters.
Devant Carlun andui sunt repairez:
Lur esperuns unt en lor piez calcez,
Vestent osberc blancs e forz e legers,
Lur helmes clers unt fermez en lor chefs,
Ceinent espees enheldees d'or mier,
En lur cols pendent lur escuz de quarters,
En lur puinz destres unt lur trenchanz espiez;
Puis sunt muntez en lur curanz destrers.
Idunc plurerent .C. milie chevalers,
Qui pur Rollant de Tierri unt pitiet.
Deus set asez cument la fins en ert.CCLXXXI
Dedesuz Ais est la pree mult large:
Des dous baruns justee est la bataille.
Cil sunt produme e de grant vasselage
E lur chevals sunt curanz e aates.
Brochent les bien, tutes les resnes lasquent;
Par grant vertut vait ferir l'uns li altre;
Tuz lur escuz i fruissent e esquassent,
Lur osbercs rumpent e lur cengles depiecent,
Les alves turnent, les seles cheent a tere.
.C. mil humes i plurent, kis esguardent.CCLXXXII
A tere sunt ambdui li chevaler,
Isnelement se drecent sur lur piez.
Pinabels est forz e isnels e legers.
Li uns requiert l'altre, n'unt mie des destrers.
De cez espees enheldees d'or mer,
Fierent e caplent sur cez helmes d'acer;
Granz sunt les colps, as helmes detrencher.
Mult se dementent cil Franceis chevaler.
«E! Deus,» dist Carles, «le dreit en esclargiez!»CCLXXXIII
Dist Pinabel: «Tierri, car te recreiz!
Tes hom serai par amur e par feid,
A tun plaisir te durrai mun aveir,
Mais Guenelun fai acorder al rei!»
Respont Tierri: «Ja n'en tendrai cunseill.
Tut seie fel se jo mie l'otrei!
Deus facet hoi entre nus dous le dreit!»CCLXXXIV
Ço dist Tierri: «Pinabel mult ies ber,
Granz ies e forz e tis cors ben mollez;
De vasselage te conoissent ti per;
Ceste bataille, car la laisses ester!
A Carlemagne te ferai acorder;
De Guenelun justise ert faite tel,
Jamais n'ert jur que il n'en seit parlet.»
Dist Pinabel: «Ne placet Damnedeu!
Sustenir voeill trestut mun parentet;
N'en recrerrai pur nul hume mortel;
Mielz voeill murir que il me seit reprovet.»
De lur espees cumencent a capler
Desur cez helmes, ki sunt a or gemez;
Cuntre le ciel en volet li fous tuz clers.
Il ne poet estre qu'il seient desevrez:
Seinz hume mort ne poet estre afinet.CCLXXXV
Mult par est proz Pinabel de Sorence;
Si fiert Tierri sur l'elme de Provence:
Salt en li fous, que l'erbe en fait esprendre;
Del brant d'acer la mure li presentet,
Desur le frunt li ad faite descendre.
Parmi le vis (li ad faite descendre):
La destre joe en ad tute sanglente;
L'osberc del dos josque par sum le ventre.
Deus le guarit, que mort ne l'acraventet.CCLXXXVI
Ço veit Tierris, que el vis est ferut:
Li sancs tuz clers en chiet el pred herbus
Fiert Pinabel sur l'elme d'acer brun,
Jusqu'al nasel li ad frait e fendut,
Del chef li ad le cervel espandut,
Brandit sun colp, si l'ad mort abatut.
A icest colp est li esturs vencut.
Escrient Franc: «Deus i ad fait vertut!
Asez est dreiz que Guenes seit pendut
E si parent, ki plaidet unt pur lui.»CCLXXXVII
Quant Tierris ad vencue sa bataille,
Venuz i est li emperere Carles,
Ensembl'od lui de ses baruns quarante,
Naimes li dux, Oger de Danemarche,
Geifrei d'Anjou e Willalme de Blaive.
Li reis ad pris Tierri entre sa brace,
Tert lui le vis od ses granz pels de martre,
Celes met jus, puis li afublent altres;
Mult suavet le chevaler desarment.
[Munter l'unt] fait en une mule d'Arabe;
Repairet s'en a joie e a barnage;
Vienent ad Ais, descendent en la place.
Des ore cumencet l'ocisiun des altres.CCLXXXVIII
Carles apelet ses cuntes e ses dux:
«Que me loez de cels qu'ai retenuz?
Pur Guenelun erent a plait venuz,
Pur Pinabel en ostage renduz.»
Respundent Franc: «Ja mar en vivrat uns!»
Li reis cumandet un soen veier, Basbrun:
«Va, sis pent tuz a l'arbre de mal fust!
Par ceste barbe dunt li peil sunt canuz,
Se uns escapet, morz ies e cunfunduz.»
Cil li respunt: «Qu'en fereie jo e el?»
Od .C. serjanz par force les cunduit.
.XXX. en i ad d'icels ki sunt pendut.
Ki hume traïst, sei ocit e altroi.CCLXXXIX
Puis sunt turnet Bavier e Aleman
E Peitevin e Bretun e Norman.
Sor tuit li altre l'unt otriet li Franc
Que Guenes moerget par merveillus ahan.
Quatre destrers funt amener avant,
Puis si li lient e les piez e les mains.
Li cheval sunt orgoillus e curant;
Quatre serjanz les acoeillent devant,
Devers un'ewe ki est en mi un camp.
Guenes est turnet a perdiciun grant;
Trestuit si nerf mult li sunt estendant
E tuit li membre de sun cors derumpant:
Sur l'erbe verte en espant li cler sanc.
Guenes est mort cume fel recreant.
Hom ki traïst altre, nen est dreiz qu'il s'en vant.CCXC
Quant li empereres ad faite sa venjance,
Sin apelat ses evesques de France,
Cels de Baviere e icels d'Alemaigne:
«En ma maisun ad une caitive franche.
Tant ad oït e sermuns e essamples,
Creire voelt Deu, chrestientet demandet.
Baptizez la, pur quei Deus en ait l'anme.»
Cil li respundent: «Or seit faite par marrenes:
Asez cruiz e linees dames...»
As bainz ad Aís mult sunt granz les ci...
La baptizent la reïne d'Espaigne:
Truvee li unt le num de Juliane.
Chrestiene est par veire conoisance.CCXCI
Quant l'emperere ad faite sa justise
E esclargiez est la sue grant ire,
En Bramidonie ad chrestientet mise,
Passet li jurz, la nuit est aserie.
Culcez s'est li reis en sa cambre voltice.
Seint Gabriel de part Deu li vint dire:
«Carles, sumun les oz de tun emperie!
Par force iras en la tere de Bire,
Reis Vivien si succuras en Imphe,
A la citet que paien unt asise:
Li chrestien te recleiment e crient.»
Li emperere n'i volsist aler mie:
«Deus,» dist li reis, «si penuse est ma vie!»
Pluret des oilz, sa barbe blanche tiret.Ci falt la geste que Turoldus declinet.
Return to the Table of Content
Return to the List of Authors and Books of the Classics Library
