The Song of Roland [40]
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. AOI.
CCLIX
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. AOI.
CCLX
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. AOI.
CCLXI
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?"
CCLXII
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.
CCLXIII
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.
CCLXIV
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
CCLIX
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. AOI.
CCLX
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. AOI.
CCLXI
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?"
CCLXII
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.
CCLXIII
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.
CCLXIV
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