XXIII

"To Sarraguce I must repair, 'tis plain; Whence who goes there returns no more again.

Your sister's hand in marriage have I ta'en; And I've a son, there is no prettier swain: Baldwin, men say he shews the knightly strain.

To him I leave my honours and domain.

Care well for him; he'll look for me in vain."

Answers him Charles: "Your heart is too humane.

When I command, time is to start amain."

AOI.

XXIV

Then says the King: "Guenes, before me stand; And take from me the glove, also the wand.

For you have heard, you're chosen by the Franks,"

"Sire," answers Guenes, "all this is from Rollanz; I'll not love him, so long as I'm a man, Nor Oliver, who goes at his right hand; The dozen peers, for they are of his band, All I defy, as in your sight I stand."

Then says the King: "Over intolerant.

Now certainly you go when I command."

"And go I can; yet have I no warrant Basile had none nor his brother Basant."

XXV

His right hand glove that Emperour holds out; But the count Guenes elsewhere would fain be found; When he should take, it falls upon the ground.

Murmur the Franks: "G.o.d! What may that mean now?

By this message great loss shall come about."

"Lordings," says Guene, "You'll soon have news enow."

XXVI

"Now," Guenes said, "give me your orders, Sire; Since I must go, why need I linger, I?"

Then said the King "In Jesu's Name and mine!"

With his right hand he has absolved and signed, Then to his care the wand and brief confides.

XXVII

Guenes the count goes to his hostelry, Finds for the road his garments and his gear, All of the best he takes that may appear: Spurs of fine gold he fastens on his feet, And to his side Murgles his sword of steel.

On Tachebrun, his charger, next he leaps, His uncle holds the stirrup, Guinemere.

Then you had seen so many knights to weep, Who all exclaim: "Unlucky lord, indeed!

In the King's court these many years you've been, n.o.ble va.s.sal, they say that have you seen.

He that for you this journey has decreed King Charlemagne will never hold him dear.

The Count Rollant, he should not so have deemed, Knowing you were born of very n.o.ble breed."

After they say: "Us too, Sire, shall he lead."

Then answers Guenes: "Not so, the Lord be pleased!

Far better one than many knights should bleed.

To France the Douce, my lords, you soon shall speed, On my behalf my gentle wife you'll greet, And Pinabel, who is my friend and peer, And Baldewin, my son, whom you have seen; His rights accord and help him in his need."

--Rides down the road, and on his way goes he.

AOI.

XXVIII

Guenes canters on, and halts beneath a tree; Where Sarrazins a.s.sembled he may see, With Blancandrins, who abides his company.

Cunning and keen they speak then, each to each, Says Blancandrins: "Charles, what a man is he, Who conquered Puille and th'whole of Calabrie; Into England he crossed the bitter sea, To th' Holy Pope restored again his fee.

What seeks he now of us in our country?"

Then answers Guene "So great courage hath he; Never was man against him might succeed."

AOI.

XXIX

Says Blancandrins "Gentle the Franks are found; Yet a great wrong these dukes do and these counts Unto their lord, being in counsel proud; Him and themselves they harry and confound."

Guenes replies: "There is none such, without Only Rollanz, whom shame will yet find out.

Once in the shade the King had sate him down; His nephew came, in sark of iron brown, Spoils he had won, beyond by Carcasoune, Held in his hand an apple red and round.

"Behold, fair Sire," said Rollanz as he bowed, "Of all earth's kings I bring you here the crowns."

His cruel pride must shortly him confound, Each day t'wards death he goes a little down, When he be slain, shall peace once more abound."

AOI.

x.x.x

Says Blancandrins: "A cruel man, Rollant, That would bring down to bondage every man, And challenges the peace of every land.

With what people takes he this task in hand?"

And answers Guene: "The people of the Franks; They love him so, for men he'll never want.

Silver and gold he show'rs upon his band, Chargers and mules, garments and silken mats.

The King himself holds all by his command; From hence to the East he'll conquer sea and land."

AOI.

x.x.xI

Cantered so far then Blancandrins and Guene Till each by each a covenant had made And sought a plan, how Rollant might be slain.

Cantered so far by valley and by plain To Sarraguce beneath a cliff they came.

There a fald-stool stood in a pine-tree's shade, Enveloped all in Alexandrin veils; There was the King that held the whole of Espain, Twenty thousand of Sarrazins his train; Nor was there one but did his speech contain, Eager for news, till they might hear the tale.

Haste into sight then Blancandrins and Guene.

x.x.xII

Blancandrin comes before Marsiliun, Holding the hand of county Guenelun; Says to the King "Lord save you, Sire, Mahum And Apollin, whose holy laws here run!

Your message we delivered to Charlun, Both his two hands he raised against the sun, Praising his G.o.d, but answer made he none.

He sends you here his n.o.blest born barun, Greatest in wealth, that out of France is come; From him you'll hear if peace shall be, or none."

"Speak," said Marsile: "We'll hear him, every one."

AOI.

x.x.xIII

But the count Guenes did deeply meditate; Cunning and keen began at length, and spake Even as one that knoweth well the way; And to the King: "May G.o.d preserve you safe, The All Glorious, to whom we're bound to pray Proud Charlemagne this message bids me say: You must receive the holy Christian Faith, And yield in fee one half the lands of Spain.

If to accord this tribute you disdain, Taken by force and bound in iron chain You will be brought before his throne at Aix; Judged and condemned you'll be, and shortly slain, Yes, you will die in misery and shame."

King Marsilies was very sore afraid, s.n.a.t.c.hing a dart, with golden feathers gay, He made to strike: they turned aside his aim.

AOI.

x.x.xIV

King Marsilies is turn'ed white with rage, His feathered dart he brandishes and shakes.

Guenes beholds: his sword in hand he takes, Two fingers' width from scabbard bares the blade; And says to it: "O clear and fair and brave; Before this King in court we'll so behave, That the Emperour of France shall never say In a strange land I'd thrown my life away Before these chiefs thy temper had essayed."

"Let us prevent this fight:" the pagans say.