第44章 LXXII

An admiral is there of Balaguet;

Clear face and proud, and body nobly bred;Since first he was upon his horse mounted, His arms to bear has shewn great lustihead;In vassalage he is well famoused;

Christian were he, he'd shewn good baronhead.

Before Marsile aloud has he shouted:

"To Rencesvals my body shall be led;

Find I Rollanz, then is he surely dead, And Oliver, and all the other twelve;Franks shall be slain in grief and wretchedness.

Charles the great is old now and doted, Weary will be and make no war again;Spain shall be ours, in peace and quietness."King Marsilies has heard and thanks him well.

AOI.

LXXIII

An almacour is there of Moriane, More felon none in all the land of Spain.

Before Marsile his vaunting boast hath made:

"To Rencesvals my company I'll take, A thousand score, with shields and lances brave.

Find I Rollanz, with death I'll him acquaint;Day shall not dawn but Charles will make his plaint."AOI.

LXXIV

From the other part, Turgis of Turtelose, He was a count, that city was his own;Christians he would them massacre, every one.

Before Marsile among the rest is gone, Says to the King: "Let not dismay be shewn!

Mahum's more worth than Saint Peter of Rome;Serve we him well, then fame in field we'll own.

To Rencesvals, to meet Rollanz I'll go, From death he'll find his warranty in none.

See here my sword, that is both good and long With Durendal I'll lay it well across;Ye'll hear betimes to which the prize is gone.

Franks shall be slain, whom we descend upon, Charles the old will suffer grief and wrong, No more on earth his crown will he put on."