第2章

His custom was, at his leisure he spoke.

When he looks up, his face is very bold, He says to them: "Good tidings have you told.

King Marsilies hath ever been my foe.

These very words you have before me told, In what measure of faith am I to hold?"That Sarrazin says, "Hostages he'll show;Ten shall you take, or fifteen or a score.

Though he be slain, a son of mine shall go, Any there be you'll have more nobly born.

To your palace seigneurial when you go, At Michael's Feast, called in periculo;My Lord hath said, thither will he follow Ev'n to your baths, that God for you hath wrought;There is he fain the Christian faith to know."Answers him Charles: "Still may he heal his soul."AOI.

XI

Clear shone the sun in a fair even-tide;

Those ten men's mules in stall he bade them tie.

Also a tent in the orchard raise on high, Those messengers had lodging for the night;Dozen serjeants served after them aright.

Darkling they lie till comes the clear daylight.

That Emperour does with the morning rise;Matins and Mass are said then in his sight.

Forth goes that King, and stays beneath a pine;Barons he calls, good counsel to define, For with his Franks he's ever of a mind.

AOI.

XII

That Emperour, beneath a pine he sits, Calls his barons, his council to begin:

Oger the Duke, that Archbishop Turpin, Richard the old, and his nephew Henry, From Gascony the proof Count Acolin, Tedbald of Reims and Milun his cousin:

With him there were Gerers, also Gerin, And among them the Count Rollant came in, And Oliver, so proof and so gentil.

Franks out of France, a thousand chivalry;Guenes came there, that wrought the treachery.

The Council then began, which ended ill.

AOI.

XIII

"My Lords Barons," says the Emperour then, Charles, "King Marsilies hath sent me his messages;Out of his wealth he'll give me weighty masses.

Greyhounds on leash and bears and lions also, Thousand mewed hawks and seven hundred camels, Four hundred mules with gold Arabian charged, Fifty wagons, yea more than fifty drawing.

But into France demands he my departure;

He'll follow me to Aix, where is my Castle;There he'll receive the law of our Salvation:

Christian he'll be, and hold from me his marches.

But I know not what purpose in his heart is."Then say the Franks: "Beseems us act with caution!"AOI.

XIV

That Emperour hath ended now his speech.

The Count Rollanz, he never will agree, Quick to reply, he springs upon his feet;And to the King, "Believe not Marsilie.

Seven years since, when into Spain came we, I conquer'd you Noples also Commibles, And took Valterne, and all the land of Pine, And Balaguet, and Tuele, and Sezilie.

Traitor in all his ways was Marsilies;

Of his pagans he sent you then fifteen, Bearing in hand their olive-branches green:

Who, ev'n as now, these very words did speak.

You of your Franks a Council did decree, Praised they your words that foolish were in deed.

Two of your Counts did to the pagan speed, Basan was one, and the other Basilie:

Their heads he took on th' hill by Haltilie.

War have you waged, so on to war proceed, To Sarraguce lead forth your great army.

All your life long, if need be, lie in siege, Vengeance for those the felon slew to wreak."AOI.

XV

That Emperour he sits with lowering front, He clasps his chin, his beard his fingers tug, Good word nor bad, his nephew not one.

Franks hold their peace, but only Guenelun Springs to his feet, and comes before Carlun;Right haughtily his reason he's begun, And to the King: "Believe not any one, My word nor theirs, save whence your good shall come.

Since he sends word, that King Marsiliun, Homage he'll do, by finger and by thumb;Throughout all Spain your writ alone shall run Next he'll receive our rule of Christendom Who shall advise, this bidding be not done, Deserves not death, since all to death must come.

Counsel of pride is wrong: we've fought enough.

Leave we the fools, and with the wise be one."AOI.

XVI

And after him came Neimes out, the third, Better vassal there was not in the world;And to the King: "Now rightly have you heard Guenes the Count, what answer he returned.

Wisdom was there, but let it well be heard.

King Marsilies in war is overturned, His castles all in ruin have you hurled, With catapults his ramparts have you burst, Vanquished his men, and all his cities burned;Him who entreats your pity do not spurn, Sinners were they that would to war return;With hostages his faith he would secure;

Let this great war no longer now endure.""Well said the Duke." Franks utter in their turn.

AOI.

XVII

"My lords barons, say whom shall we send up To Sarraguce, to King Marsiliun?"Answers Duke Neimes: "I'll go there for your love;Give me therefore the wand, also the glove."Answers the King: "Old man of wisdom pruff;By this white beard, and as these cheeks are rough, You'll not this year so far from me remove;Go sit you down, for none hath called you up."

XVIII

"My lords barons, say whom now can we send To th' Sarrazin that Sarraguce defends?"Answers Rollanz: "I might go very well."

"Certes, you'll not," says Oliver his friend, "For your courage is fierce unto the end, I am afraid you would misapprehend.

If the King wills it I might go there well."Answers the King: "Be silent both on bench;Your feet nor his, I say, shall that way wend.

Nay, by this beard, that you have seen grow blench, The dozen peers by that would stand condemned.

Franks hold their peace; you'd seen them all silent.

XIX

Turpins of Reins is risen from his rank, Says to the King: "In peace now leave your Franks.

For seven years you've lingered in this land They have endured much pain and sufferance.

Give, Sire, to me the clove, also the wand, I will seek out the Spanish Sarazand, For I believe his thoughts I understand."That Emperour answers intolerant:

"Go, sit you down on yonder silken mat;

And speak no more, until that I command."AOI.

XX