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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75339 ***
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Frontispiece: OLIVER AND FIERABRAS.]
+
+
+
+
+  STORIES
+  OF CHARLEMAGNE
+
+  AND THE TWELVE PEERS OF FRANCE
+
+  _FROM THE OLD ROMANCES_
+
+
+
+  By the
+
+  REV. A. J. CHURCH, M.A.
+
+  Formerly Professor of Latin in University College, London
+  Author of "Stories from Homer," etc.
+
+
+
+  With Illustrations by
+  GEORGE MORROW
+
+
+
+  LONDON
+  SEELEY AND CO. LIMITED
+  38, GREAT RUSSELL STREET
+  1902
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+I have endeavoured to tell in this volume the story of Charlemagne,
+the Charlemagne, it must be understood, not of history, but of
+Romance.  The two personages are curiously different.  Each writer of
+a romance had naturally a hero of his own.  As he had to exalt this
+hero, he could hardly help depreciating the king.  Charlemagne
+suffers by comparison with Roland and Reynaud very much as, in the
+Iliad, Agamemnon, the overlord of the Greeks, suffers by comparison
+with the subordinate King, Achilles.  The real Charlemagne was a very
+great personality, one that impressed his age as deeply as any man
+has ever done; in these stories he often appears petty, capricious,
+and obstinate.  Then the romance writers were Frenchmen, and they
+make the great king a Frenchman, holding his court in Paris, and
+surrounded by great French lords.  They began to write when the air
+was full of the crusading spirit, and their work is coloured
+accordingly.  The enemy is always a Saracen or a follower of Mahomet.
+There could not be a more curious instance of this than is to be
+found in the story of the death of Roland.  In the romance
+Charlemagne's rearguard is destroyed by an overpowering force of
+Saracens.  What really happened was that it was attacked, probably
+for the sake of plundering the baggage, by a gathering of
+mountaineers, who are called Gascons by the chroniclers, but were, in
+fact, Basques.  Then, again, we find the romance writers in sympathy
+with the great feudatories, indicating the time before the French
+monarchy had become consolidated, when the king at Paris had all that
+he could do to hold his own against his powerful vassals, the Dukes
+of Brittany and Burgundy, and the English king.
+
+The Charlemagne romances, as translated by Lord Berners and William
+Caxton, occupy twelve volumes in the Extra Series of the Early
+English Text Society.  Some of these are variants of the same story.
+There is a romance of "Ferumbras," for instance, which gives
+substantially the same tale as that which occupies eleven chapters in
+this volume.  "Huon of Bordeaux," again, fills four volumes in the
+Extra Series.  But the original _chanson_ is contained in one of the
+four and is complete in itself.  This, too, I have considerably
+compressed and shortened.  The same process has had to be applied to
+all before they could be made acceptable to the readers of to-day.  I
+hope that they have not lost their life and colour and human interest.
+
+The stories of which I have made use are "The Four Sons of Aymon"
+(i.-xi.); "Ralph the Collier" (xii.-xiii.), a genuinely English
+production, it would seem, as no French original has been found;
+"Fierabras," taken from the "Lyf of Charles the Grete" (xiv.-xxiv.);
+"The Song of Roland" (xxv.-xxxv.), and "Duke Huon of Bordeaux"
+(xxxvi.-xl.).  This has been put last in order, as it represents
+Charlemagne grown old and weary of power.  The death of the great
+King is only mentioned as imminent in the romance which I have
+followed; I have added an abridged account of it from the
+contemporary biography written by Eginhard.  The story of Huon is
+peculiarly interesting to us because it introduces the fairy King
+Oberon, who was to become so important a figure in English literature.
+
+I have to express my obligations to the Introduction, written by Mr.
+Sidney Lee to the first part of "Duke Huon of Bordeaux."
+
+ALFRED J. CHURCH.
+
+OXFORD, _July_ 17, 1902.
+
+
+
+
+  CONTENTS
+
+  CHAP.
+
+  I. THE SLAYING OF LOTHAIR
+  II. HOW THE DUKE BENES CAME BY HIS END
+  III. HOW IT FARED WITH THE BRETHREN
+  IV. THE COMING OF ROLAND
+  V. OF THE TREACHERY OF KING JOHN
+  VI. OF THE CRAFT OF MAWGIS
+  VII. MORE DEEDS OF MAWGIS
+  VIII. HOW MAWGIS BECAME A HERMIT
+  IX. OF WHAT BEFELL AT MONTALBAN
+  X. HOW PEACE WAS MADE
+  XI. OF REYNAUD'S END
+  XII. HOW RALPH ENTERTAINED THE KING
+  XIII. HOW RALPH WENT TO COURT
+  XIV. HOW FIERABRAS DEFIED KING CHARLES
+  XV. HOW OLIVER FOUGHT WITH FIERABRAS
+  XVI. HOW OLIVER AND OTHERS WERE TAKEN PRISONERS
+  XVII. HOW OLIVER AND HIS COMRADES FARED
+  XVIII. OF THE BRIDGE OF MANTRYBLE
+  XIX. OF THE DOINGS OF FLORIPAS
+  XX. OF THE DOINGS OF THE FRENCH KNIGHTS
+  XXI. OF GUY OF BURGUNDY
+  XXII. OF RICHARD OF NORMANDY
+  XXIII. HOW THE BRIDGE MANTRYBLE WAS WON
+  XXIV. OF THE END OF BALAN THE ADMIRAL
+  XXV. HOW GANELON WENT ON AN ERRAND TO KING MARSILAS
+  XXVI. THE TREASON OF GANELON
+  XXVII. OF THE PLOT AGAINST ROLAND
+  XXVIII. HOW THE HEATHEN AND THE FRENCH PREPARED FOR BATTLE
+  XXIX. THE BATTLE
+  XXX. HOW ROLAND SOUNDED HIS HORN
+  XXXI. HOW OLIVER WAS SLAIN
+  XXXII. HOW ARCHBISHOP TURPIN DIED
+  XXXIII. THE DEATH OF ROLAND
+  XXXIV. HOW CHARLEMAGNE SOUGHT VENGEANCE
+  XXXV. OF THE PUNISHMENT OF GANELON
+  XXXVI. HOW KING CHARLES SENT HUON ON AN ERRAND
+  XXXVII. HOW HUON MET WITH KING OBERON
+  XXXVIII. OF THE END OF THE FALSE DUKE MACAIRE
+  XXXIX. HOW HUON, HAVING SLAIN A GIANT, CAME TO BABYLON
+  XL. HOW HUON RETURNED, HIS ERRAND FULFILLED
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+OLIVER AND FIERABRAS ... Frontispiece
+
+REYNAUD KNEELING TO ROLAND
+
+REYNAUD AND BAYARD
+
+RALPH IN THE PALACE OF CHARLEMAGNE
+
+BLOWING THE GREAT COAL
+
+THE AMBASSADORS OF KING MARSILAS
+
+ON THE FIELD OF RONCESVALLES
+
+HUON MEETING WITH OBERON
+
+
+
+
+STORIES OF CHARLEMAGNE
+
+AND THE TWELVE PEERS OF FRANCE
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE SLAYING OF LOTHAIR
+
+King Charles held a great court in his capital city of Paris at the
+Feast of Pentecost.  Thither came the Twelve Peers of France, and
+many other men of note, besides strangers from Germany, England, and
+other realms.  One of the chief of the Frenchmen was Aymon, Duke of
+Ardennes, who brought with him his four sons, to wit, Reynaud, Alard,
+Guichard, and Richard.  All these four were marvellously fair, witty,
+and valiant; but the fairest, wittiest, and most valiant was Reynaud,
+the eldest born.  There was not in the world a man of so great
+strength and stature.  It is of him and his brothers that this tale
+is told.
+
+King Charles stood up, and said, "Brethren and friends, you know that
+by your help I have conquered many lands, and brought many pagans to
+confess the Christian faith.  You know also that this has not been
+done without grievous loss on our part, and verily had not been done
+at all but for succour that we looked not for.  But the succour that
+we looked for, that we had not, and notably from Duke Benes of
+Aygremont.  This, then, is my purpose.  I will send to Duke Benes,
+bidding him attend me this summer.  And if he will not come, then I
+will besiege him in his town of Aygremont.  And when he shall come
+into my hands, I will hang him, and slay his son Mawgis, and cause
+that discourteous woman, his wife, to be burnt with fire."
+
+Duke Naymes said, "Be not so hot, my lord King.  Send a message to
+the Duke by some prudent man, and when you shall have received his
+answer, then take counsel what you shall do."
+
+"That is good counsel," said the King.  But when he called for a
+messenger, no man answered, for many were of the Duke's kindred.
+Then he called his eldest son Lothair, and said to him, "Go to this
+Duke, and bid him come to me with his men-at-arms by mid-summer next,
+or else I will besiege his city of Aygremont."
+
+The next day Lothair departed, having a hundred knights with him,
+armed for battle.  As they went they uttered many threatenings
+against the Duke, if he should not submit himself to the King.
+
+It so chanced that a spy heard them talk in this fashion, and, making
+all haste, came to the Duke and told him.  "There come messengers,"
+he said, "from King Charles, threatening terrible things, and the
+King's own son is with them."  Then the Duke asked his lords what he
+should do.  One of them, Sir Simon by name, a good man and a wise,
+said to him, "Receive the King's messengers honourably.  It is not
+well for a man, how great soever he be, to fight against his
+sovereign lord.  Many of your kinsmen have so dared, yet do not you."
+Said the Duke, "I am not fallen so low that I should follow such
+counsel.  Have I not three brothers, princes all of them, that will
+help me against the King, and four nephews also, sons of Aymon, that
+are stout and valiant men?"  So he would not listen to Sir Simon; no,
+nor yet to his wife the Duchess, though she was urgent with him to
+speak peaceably to the King's messengers.
+
+By this time Lothair and his knights were come to the town of
+Aygremont.  The Prince said, "See what a fortress is there!  How
+strong are the walls!  See, too, the river running at their base.
+There is no stronger place in Christendom.  It cannot be taken by
+force, but haply by famishing it may be taken."  One of his knights
+said to him, "My lord, you say true.  This is a mighty prince, and he
+has a strong castle.  It would be well if you could make him to be of
+good accord with your father."  "You speak well," answered Lothair,
+"nevertheless if the Duke shall say anything that shall displease us,
+he shall be sorry therefor."  But the knight said softly to himself,
+"This is foolishness, and we shall pay for it with our lives."
+
+So Lothair and his men came to the castle, and knocked at the gate.
+"Who are you?" said the porter.  "We be friends," answered Lothair,
+"and we bring a message from the King."  "Wait awhile," said the
+porter, "till I tell the Duke."  So the porter went to the Duke and
+said, "There are come hither a hundred knights, with the King's
+eldest son at their head.  Shall I open the gate?"  "Open it," said
+the Duke, "we can hold our own, yea though the King himself should
+come with all his men."  So the porter hasted to open the gate.  But
+the Duke said to his lords, "Here comes the King's eldest son; if he
+speak wisely to us, wisely will we answer him; but if not, he shall
+not go free."
+
+Then Lothair and his knights were brought into the hall, where the
+Duke sat among his lords, having the Duchess his wife by him and
+before him his son Mawgis.  Now Mawgis was a great wizard.
+
+Lothair said, "God keep King Charles and confound Duke Benes!  My
+father says, 'Come to Paris with five hundred knights, and make good
+your want of service in the parts of Lombardy, where, for lack of
+your help, many valiant men came by their death.  But if you fail in
+this thing, you shall surely be hanged, your wife burned with fire,
+and all your house destroyed.'"
+
+Then might any one have seen the Duke change colour for anger.  When
+he could speak, he said, "I will not go to the King.  I hold of him
+neither land nor fortress; or rather I will go and waste his land
+till I come to Paris itself."
+
+"Dare you so speak?" cried Prince Lothair, in a loud voice.  "You
+know well that you are the King's man.  I counsel you to do his
+bidding.  Else you shall be hanged till the winds of heaven dry your
+bones."
+
+When the Duke heard this he stood up on his feet in a great rage,
+crying to Lothair that it was an evil day for him on which he came to
+the town of Aygremont.  Not a word of counsel would he take, when
+some of his knights would put him in mind of the King's might, and of
+how he was in truth the King's man, holding of him this very town of
+Aygremont.  "Hold your peace!" he cried.  "Never will I consent to
+hold aught of this man so long as I can mount a horse or hold a
+spear."  And he called upon his lords to lay hold on Lothair, and
+they durst not disobey him, but ran upon Lothair and the rest of King
+Charles's men.  Then began as sore a battle as was ever fought in
+this world.  For not only did the Duke's men that were within the
+palace assail the Frenchmen, but the inhabitants of the town, both
+merchants and craftsmen, hearing the uproar, beset the gates.  These
+gates, indeed, the Frenchmen kept with great courage; but they were
+few in number, and the day went sorely against them.  In the end,
+after that Prince Lothair had been slain by the Duke himself, there
+remained but ten of the hundred knights alive.  These the Duke
+spared, on this condition, that they should carry his message to the
+King, and the message was this: "I will do no homage for my land, nor
+pay one penny of tribute.  Rather I will come with forty thousand
+men, and waste your land, and burn your fair city of Paris."  After
+this he delivered to them the body of Lothair, laying it in a cart
+drawn by two horses.  And when the ten knights were quit of the town,
+and were come into the fields, they began to weep and lament, not for
+Lothair only, but also for themselves, for they feared the King.  So
+they went on their way to Paris.
+
+Meanwhile King Charles at Paris was not a little troubled.  "I fear
+me much," he said to his lords, "lest some evil have befallen my son,
+for this Duke Benes is a savage man and a cruel."  Then answered the
+Duke Aymon, "If the Duke shall do you any wrong, I will help you with
+all my heart.  Here also are my four sons who will go with me."
+"That is well spoken," said the King.  "Bring your sons hither."  So
+the Duke brought them, and the King, when he saw them, loved them
+all, but Reynaud, who was the eldest, more than the other three.  He
+said to his steward, "Bring hither the arms of King Certes, whom I
+slew at Pampeluna, and put them on him."  And Ogier the Dane bound on
+his spurs, and the King himself girded him with his sword.  This
+done, he dubbed him knight, saying, "God increase thee in goodness,
+honour, and worthiness!"
+
+Reynaud, it should be known, had a very noble horse, Bayard by name,
+that had been given him by his cousin Mawgis.  Never was there such a
+horse in the world, save only Bucephalus, that was the horse of
+Alexander of Macedon.  When he was mounted on him he seemed such a
+knight as could scarce be matched in France or any other land.  When
+they jousted in the lists, for the King held a tournament at St.
+Victor that was near to Paris, not one did so well as Reynaud.
+
+The tournament being ended, the King returned to his palace in Paris.
+The next morning he said to his lords, Ogier the Dane, and the Duke
+Naymes and Turpin the Archbishop, "I am in fear for my son Lothair;
+he tarries long on this journey.  I dreamed also last night that the
+Duke Benes had slain him."  The Duke Naymes said, "Put no trust in
+dreams, for they are naught."  The King answered, "Nevertheless, if
+the Duke have done this thing, he shall die."
+
+While they were yet speaking, there came a messenger upon a horse,
+faint and weary and sorely wounded, and the King saw him pass the
+window where he stood.  Then the King ran lightly down to the gate,
+his lords following him.  When the messenger saw the King he saluted
+him in a low voice, and told him all that had befallen.  And when he
+had ended his words, he fell to the ground in a swoon for grief and
+the pain of his wounds.
+
+Great was the King's sorrow.  He wrung his hands and tore his beard
+and his hair.  His lords sought to comfort him, and Duke Naymes said,
+"Now bury your son with great honour at St. Germaine's, and when you
+have done this, gather together your army, and march against this
+Duke Benes."
+
+Then the King and his lords rode forth from Paris, and when they had
+gone the space of two miles, they met the cart wherein was the body
+of Prince Lothair.  And when the King saw the cart, he lighted down
+from his horse, and lifted the cloth that was upon the dead man.  And
+when he saw how the head was severed from the body and the face sore
+disfigured with wounds he cried aloud.  And he said, "Oh, Lothair, my
+son, you were a fair and gentle knight.  May God of His mercy receive
+you into Paradise!"  Then his lords bore him up on one side and the
+other, and brought him to St. Germaine's.  There they buried Prince
+Lothair with all honour.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+HOW THE DUKE BENES CAME BY HIS END
+
+Duke Aymon said to his sons, "We do ill to tarry here.  The King is
+very wroth and not without cause, with your uncle Duke Benes, and
+will wage war against him, in which matter he will of a certainty ask
+your help.  But we cannot fight against our own kinsfolk.  Let us
+therefore depart to our own country."
+
+So the Duke and his four sons departed, and came to the land of
+Ardennes.  The Duchess was right glad to see them.  Nevertheless,
+when she was aware of the reason of their coming she was greatly
+troubled.  To the Duke Aymon she said, "My lord, you have done ill to
+leave the King without license given, for he is your natural lord,
+and you have received much good at his hands.  You have brought away
+your sons also, whom he has of his goodness promoted to the order of
+knighthood.  This was not well."  "Lady," said the Duke, "we left the
+King because my brother Benes had slain the Prince Lothair, and we
+are afraid."  "For all that," answered the Duchess, "do you serve the
+King and obey him, for to do so becomes a true man."  Then said the
+Duke, "I would lose my castle and the half of my land, if only my
+brother Benes had not slain the Prince Lothair."
+
+In the meanwhile the King was greatly troubled, not only by the death
+of his son, but also by the departure of Duke Aymon and his sons.
+"See," said he, "how these men whom I promoted to great honour have
+betrayed me.  Verily, if I lay hands on them they shall die.  But
+first I must punish this villain Duke Benes.  I will make war on him
+this very summer.  In the meanwhile they that desire so to do may go
+to their own homes, but let all be here on Midsummer Day."
+
+Tidings of these things came to the Duke Benes, and he sent to his
+brethren, Gerard and Bron, that they should come to his help.  These
+came with many men, so that the Duke had now a very great army.  So,
+having great confidence in his strength, he set out for Troyes in the
+region of Champagne.
+
+Meanwhile, there came to the King at Paris Duke Richard of Normandy,
+with thirty thousand men, and also the Earl Guy of Heron, and the
+Duke of Brittany; also many other lords and knights from Gascony,
+Burgundy, Flanders, and other parts.  These all pitched their tents
+in the meadows of St. Germain.
+
+When all things had been prepared, the King and his army set out, his
+purpose being to besiege the town of Aygremont.  When they had
+marched many days, there came to Ogier the Dane, who led the van of
+the army, a messenger riding in hot haste.  He asked, "Whose is this
+army?"  When they told him it was the army of King Charles, he said,
+"I would fain speak with the King."  So they brought him to the King,
+and he delivered his message, which was from Aubrey, lord of Troyes,
+and to this effect; that Duke Benes and his two brothers had come up
+against the town of Troyes with a very great host, and would most
+certainly take it unless the King should come to his help.  When the
+King heard this he commanded that the army should leave marching to
+Aygremont, and should turn aside to Troyes.  And this was done, and
+in no long time the King and his army came to a place from which they
+could see the town of Troyes.
+
+When Gerard of Roussillon, that was brother to Duke Benes, heard that
+the King was now near at hand, he said to the Duke, "Let us go
+without delay against the King."  This saying pleased the others, and
+they rode till they saw the King's army.  And Gerard rode forth
+before his men, crying, "Roussillon!  Roussillon!"  On the other
+hand, Ogier the Dane rode out from the King's army, his spear in
+rest, and smote a knight, Ponson by name, so that he fell dead upon
+the earth.  Meanwhile Gerard slew one of Ogier's knights.  So the
+battle waxed fiercer and fiercer.  Duke Benes, charging at his
+horse's utmost speed, overthrew the Lord of St. Quintin.  On the
+other side, Duke Richard of Normandy did many valiant deeds, slaying,
+among others, a certain knight that was Gerard's nearest friend.  "I
+shall have no peace," said Gerard, "till I have avenged my friend,"
+and he put his spear in rest and would have charged at Duke Richard.
+But his brother Bron said to him, "Have a care; here comes King
+Charles with all his men; if we abide his coming in this place it
+will go ill with us."  While he was speaking a certain knight in the
+company of Duke Richard slew Gerard's nephew before his face.  Then
+Gerard sent a message to Duke Benes that he was in a great strait,
+and must have help forthwith.
+
+When the Duke Benes heard this, he made haste to come, bringing a
+great company with him, and the battle grew yet more fierce.  After a
+while Duke Richard of Normandy rode at Duke Benes, piercing his
+shield with his spear, and bruising him sorely on the body.  Also
+drawing his sword he smote the Duke's horse so stoutly that it fell
+dead.  But the Duke himself sprang lightly from the ground, and
+fought right valiantly on foot, slaying sundry of those who thought
+to take him alive.  And anon his men brought to him another horse.
+And still the battle grew fiercer and fiercer.
+
+Then came King Charles himself, his spear in rest, and smote Gerard
+on the shield so strongly that he overthrew both man and horse.  Then
+had Gerard perished but for his two brothers Benes and Bron, who with
+no small trouble drew him out of the press.  This indeed they did,
+but the battle went against the men of Aygremont.  Right glad were
+they when the sun set, and this was about Compline time,[1] for the
+days were now long.
+
+
+[1] Compline was the last of the services of the day.  Vespers would
+correspond to our Evening Service, though a little earlier, as at 6
+p.m.  Compline came at some varying interval after.
+
+
+When Duke Benes and his brothers came together after the battle they
+had much debate as to what should be done.  Gerard counselled that
+they should renew the battle on the morrow, but the others deemed
+otherwise.  "Nay," said the Duke Bron, "we shall fare ill if we do
+this.  My counsel is this: let us choose thirty knights, the most
+prudent that we can find.  Let them say on our behalf to King Charles
+that we beg him to have mercy upon us, that the Duke Benes shall make
+such amends for the slaying of Prince Lothair as may be agreed by the
+lords of the two countries, and that hereafter we will be his true
+liegemen."  To this counsel the others agreed.  Forthwith they sought
+out the thirty knights, the most prudent men that they could find.
+These, when it was day, they sent as an embassage of peace to King
+Charles.  And Gerard gave them this counsel that before they sought
+audience of the King they should seek out the Duke Naymes, and
+beseech him to plead their cause with the King, "for the Duke," said
+he, "is a lover of peace."
+
+In due time the thirty knights, bearing despatches in their hands,
+were brought into the presence of the King, and delivered their
+message to him.  When King Charles heard these words he looked at the
+men frowningly, and in great wrath.  Then he said to him that was
+their chief and spokesman, a certain Sir Stephen, "Surely, Sir
+Stephen, your Duke had lost his wits when he slew my dear son
+Lothair.  And now, when he says that he will be my man, does he speak
+the truth?  What say you?"  "I will answer for him," said Sir
+Stephen.  Then King Charles went with his lords into a chamber apart,
+and took counsel with them what should be done.  Then the Duke Naymes
+said, "My advice is that you pardon them.  They are valiant men, and
+you had better have them for friends than for enemies."
+
+Then King Charles called the thirty knights, and said to them, "I
+pardon Duke Benes and his brothers.  Only I will that he come to me
+at the Feast of St. John next ensuing, with ten thousand men well
+equipped for war."
+
+When the messengers brought back this answer the brothers greatly
+rejoiced.  Duke Gerard said, "It is meet that we should ourselves go
+and thank the King."  So they put off their fine array, and went,
+having but a single garment apiece, and with bare feet, and four
+thousand knights went with them in the same plight.  When they came
+before the King he spoke to them in peaceable words, but he had anger
+in his heart, especially against Duke Benes, as will be seen
+hereafter.
+
+Some seven days before the Feast of St. John Baptist the Duke Benes
+set out from Aygremont that he might present himself according to his
+promise before King Charles.  Meanwhile the King was holding his
+court in Paris.  To him came one Guenes, who was his nephew, saying,
+"Sire, Duke Benes is on his way hither with a company of knights.
+Now is the time to take vengeance on him for the murder of Prince
+Lothair."  "That were treachery," answered the King, "for we have
+given our word to him.  The Duke also is a great man and has powerful
+kinsmen."  "I heed not that," said Guenes, "I have kinsmen also that
+are as good as he."  "Certainly it were treachery," said the King
+again; "but do as you will, only mark that I do not consent thereto."
+
+So Guenes departed, having four thousand men with him, and met the
+Duke and his company in the Valley of Soissons.  So soon as the Duke
+saw him, he was aware of his evil purpose.  "I held that the King was
+a true man, but now I see that he practises treachery against me.
+Now would that I had with me Mawgis my son, and the four sons of my
+brother Aymon.  I shall have great need of them this day."  And in
+this indeed he spake truly, for there was a great battle.  The Duke
+and his knights did valiantly, but what could their valour avail
+against so great a multitude?  First, the Duke's horse was killed,
+and when he rose to his feet, Guenes, being mounted on a very swift
+charger, made at him, and ran him through with a spear, so that he
+fell dead upon the plain.  When the Duke was dead there was a great
+slaughter of his knights.  Ten only were left alive, and these were
+spared upon this condition, that they should take the body of the
+Duke to his town of Aygremont, even as the body of Prince Lothair had
+been taken by ten of his knights to the town of Paris.  Great was the
+grief in the town of Aygremont when the body of the Duke was taken
+thither.  But Mawgis said to the Duchess his mother, "Have patience
+awhile, my dear mother.  The King shall pay dearly for this his
+treachery.  And in this I know that my kinsfolk will help me."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+HOW IT FARED WITH THE BRETHREN
+
+At Pentecost King Charles held a court at Paris to which with others
+came Duke Aymon and his sons.  Said the King to Aymon, "You and your
+sons are very dear to me.  Therefore I am minded to make Reynaud my
+steward."  "I thank you," answered the Duke; "yet this I will say
+that you did a grievous wrong in that you suffered my brother Benes
+to be slain, when he had a safe-conduct under your hand.
+Nevertheless I forgive you."  "Remember," said the King, "that Benes
+slew my son Lothair.  Let us set one deed against the other, and
+speak of them no more."  "So be it," answered the Duke.  But his sons
+were not so minded, for they came forth out of the company, and
+Reynaud spake for them, "Sire," he said, "we are not of our father's
+mind, for we hate you with a great hatred."  The King, being very
+angry, cried, "Away out of my sight, foolish boy; were it not for
+this company I would set you so fast in prison that you should not
+move hand or foot."
+
+After these things the whole company went to the Church to hear mass;
+and after mass they sat down to dinner, but Reynaud would not sit
+down, so angry was he.  After dinner, Berthelot, that was nephew to
+the King, said to Reynaud, "Come here, play me at chess."  So these
+two sat down to play.  When they had played awhile, there arose a
+dispute between them.  So hot was the dispute that Berthelot called
+Reynaud by an ill name, and smote him on the face, whereupon Reynaud,
+lifting the chess board, that was of massy gold, smote Berthelot upon
+the head so strongly that he fell down dead.  When the King knew this
+he cried in great wrath, "Lay hold on this Reynaud.  By St. Denis he
+shall not go out of this place alive."  Then the King's knights would
+have laid hold on him, but his brothers and kinsfolk defended him,
+and there was such a strife in the palace as had never before been
+seen.  In the end Reynaud and his brothers, with Mawgis their cousin,
+escaped out of the palace, and mounting their horses fled to
+Dordogne, the King's knights following hard upon them.  As for
+Reynaud he was in no peril, for his horse Bayard was as swift as the
+wind, but with the others it went hard.  Then Reynaud turned upon the
+knights that pursued and slaying four of them, gave their horses to
+the others.  So they came safe all of them to Dordogne, where dwelt
+their mother the Duchess.  She, fearing greatly for their lives,
+would have them take all her treasure, and depart.  So they departed,
+with many tears, and coming into the forest of Ardennes built for
+themselves a castle which they called Montanford.  A great fortress
+was it and a strong, for it was built upon a rock and defended on all
+sides with great walls, and furnished with a great store of
+provisions.
+
+When the King heard of what they had done, he required of his barons
+that they should help him to take vengeance for his nephew Berthelot.
+This they promised to do.  "Only," said they, "let us go to our own
+land that we may make ready."  To this the King consented.  So they
+departed and came back to Paris in due time with their men.  After
+this the King departed and marched as quickly as he might to the
+castle of Montanford.
+
+Now it chanced that Reynaud's three brothers were returning from the
+hunt when they saw the King's host.  "Who are these?" said Guichard.
+Richard, who was the youngest of the brethren, answered, "This is the
+King's host, for I heard it said that he was coming to take vengeance
+upon us.  But now let us show ourselves to be men."  So they and
+their companions rode to meet the vanguard of the King's army.  And
+Guichard laid his spear in rest, and charged at the Earl Guyon, who
+was leader of the vanguard, and smote him so strongly that he fell
+dead to the ground.  Thereafter there was a fierce battle, and it
+went hard with the King's vanguard, so that scarce one of them
+escaped.  But the three brothers got back safe into the tower, and
+were greatly commended by Reynaud for their valour.  And now the King
+besieged the castle.  "I will take it," he said, "by force or by
+famine."  But the Duke Naymes counselled him to demand Guichard of
+his brother.  "If Reynaud yield him up," said he, "then this matter
+shall be settled peaceably and without loss."  "That is good
+counsel," said the King, and he sent the Duke Naymes with Ogier the
+Dane to make their demands.  But when Reynaud heard it, he was full
+of anger, and said, "My lords, but that I love you, surely I had cut
+you to pieces for bringing so evil a message.  Think you that I will
+do so base a thing as to yield up my own brother?  Tell the King that
+I care not a penny for his threatenings; as for you, get you away out
+of my sight."  So the two peers departed with all speed, and told the
+words of Reynaud to the King.
+
+Then the King set guards at each of the three gates of the castle,
+and the commander of the guards at the third gate was the Duke Aymon
+himself, for, of his loyalty to the King, he made war against his own
+sons.
+
+When Reynaud saw the guards that the King had set at the gates, he
+said to his men, "These men are worn and weary with travel, and it
+were but small glory to overcome them now.  But when they are
+somewhat rested, then we will set upon them."  And when the men heard
+him so speak, they judged that he was a very gallant, noble knight.
+
+After a while, Reynaud said, "The time is come, else the King will
+think that we fear him.  Sound the trumpet, and we will let him see
+what manner of men we are."  So the trumpet was sounded, and Reynaud
+and his men issued from the castle gate, and the King's men on the
+other hand made themselves ready for the fight, and there was a very
+terrible battle.  Reynaud and his men suffered much that day, for
+first the Duke Aymon wrought great damage to his sons' army, and then
+the Duke Fulk slew many, and the defenders of the castle had much ado
+to hold their own.  Nevertheless they did so valiantly that at the
+last the King was fain to withdraw his men.  Nor did he do this
+without great damage, for Reynaud came upon the army as it retreated,
+and slew many, and took certain prisoners.  This done, the four
+brothers went back to their castle at Montanford.
+
+But it passed the skill of man to hold the place against such odds as
+were brought against them.  For the King, having gathered together a
+great multitude of men, surrounded the castle on all sides, and kept
+it close for a year and more.  Then Reynaud sent a messenger to the
+King, saying, "I will surrender this fortress and myself also with my
+brothers, if the King will promise on his part that we shall have our
+lives and goods."  But the King, moved by certain of his counsellors,
+would promise no such thing.  And so for a while the matter stood;
+neither could the King win the castle, nor could the brethren go free.
+
+After a while there came to King Charles a certain knight, Herneger
+by name, who said, "Sire, if you will give me this castle of
+Montanford for my own, and all the goods that are within, and the
+land about it for five miles, I will deliver to you Reynaud and his
+brothers within the space of a month from now."  "Do this," answered
+the King, "and you shall have what you ask."
+
+Then Herneger, after he had first disposed a thousand knights in the
+mountains round about, rode up to the castle gates and said, "I pray
+you to let me enter, for the King seeks my life.  I have something to
+tell Sir Reynaud that he will be right glad to hear."  So the porter
+opened the gate, and let Sir Herneger pass within.
+
+When Reynaud heard that there was a strange knight in the castle, he
+came and inquired of his business.  Herneger said, "The King seeks my
+life, because I spake on your behalf."  "How does the King fare?"
+said Reynaud.  "Has he good store of victuals?"  Herneger answered,
+"He and his army are well-nigh famished.  They will not tarry long in
+this place, and when they depart you may get much spoil by pursuing
+them."  "That is good to hear," answered Reynaud.  "If the King fail
+of his purpose this time, the opportunity will not soon come again."
+Then he and his brethren and Herneger the traitor sat down to supper
+and made good cheer.
+
+When all the knights were fast asleep, the false Herneger rose from
+his bed and armed himself.  Then he cut the cords of the drawbridge,
+and let it fall, and he slew also the guards that kept watch on the
+wall.  When he had done this, the knights who were disposed upon the
+mountains came up, being led by Guy of Burgundy, and, finding the
+gates open, entered in and slew all that they could find.  Truly it
+had gone ill with the four brethren that night but for the horse of
+Alard that woke them out of their sleep.  For some of the guards had
+been slain, and some who should have watched were drunken, and the
+brethren had been surprised but for the loud neighing of the horse.
+When Reynaud saw that the enemy was within the castle, he and his
+brethren took their places in the tower, and, when the tower was set
+on fire, they took their stand in a certain pit and defended it right
+valiantly against all the King's men.  After awhile, the other
+knights that were in the castle taking heart and coming to help them,
+they drove out the enemy from the castle, and shut the gates and
+raised the drawbridge.  The next day Reynaud said to his brothers,
+"So far we have done well, and have been delivered beyond all hope.
+Nevertheless here we may not stay, for all our provision of food has
+been burnt by fire.  Let us depart, therefore, while we can."  So
+they left the castle not without much sorrow.  Alard and Guichard
+were in the vanguard with a hundred knights, and Reynaud and Richard
+brought up the rear with all the rest of their folk.
+
+That night they passed through the army of the King without hurt or
+hindrance.  But for many days to come they had no rest from their
+enemies, nor of all that pursued them was there one that did them
+more damage than did Aymon their father.  At last things came to this
+pass that there was no one left alive of all their followers.  Their
+horses also were in a sore plight, for they had nothing to eat save
+only such roots as they could find in the ground.  Nevertheless the
+horse Bayard was plump and strong, while the others were so lean and
+weak that they could scarce stand.  A wonderful beast was he in this
+as in other things, being as well nourished by roots as other horses
+are wont to be by hay and corn.  As for the knights they were ill to
+see, for their armour was eaten away with rust and their skins dark
+with hunger and want.
+
+Then said Reynaud to his brothers, "What shall we do?  As for myself
+I had sooner die as becomes a knight than perish here of hunger and
+cold."  Alard said, "My counsel is that we go straight to our lady
+mother in Ardennes.  For though the King and his lords hate us, and
+even our father is set against us, yet I am persuaded that our mother
+will not fail us."  "You give good counsel," said Reynaud; and to
+this the other two agreed.
+
+That night the brethren set out, and travelling without stay came to
+the city of Ardennes.  When they were in sight of the walls, Reynaud
+said to his brethren, "We did ill to take no surety of our father,
+that he give us not into the King's hands."  "Fear not," answered
+Richard.  "I am assured that our lady mother will keep us safe."  So
+they entered the town.  But no man knew them, so strange were they to
+look upon, and the townsfolk asked them, "Of what country are you?"
+"You are too curious," answered Reynaud, and they rode to the palace.
+
+Now the Duke Aymon chanced to be hawking that day by the river, and
+the Duchess was in her chamber, where she was wont to sit, in much
+grief because she had no tidings of her children.  After a while she
+came from her chamber into the hall, where the men sat, but she knew
+them not.  Nay so black were they and foul to look upon that she was
+in no small fear of them, and was minded for a while to go back to
+her chamber.  But soon she took courage, and greeted the men, saying,
+"Who are you, Christian men or pagans?  Maybe you are doing some
+penance.  Will you have some alms from me or clothing? methinks you
+need them much.  Gladly will I do you this service that God also may
+have mercy upon my own children."  And when she thought of her sons,
+and how she knew not whether they were alive or dead, she wept aloud.
+
+When Reynaud heard her weep, he was himself greatly moved, and wept
+also.  And the Duchess looking on him more closely was not a little
+troubled, so that she had almost fallen to the ground in a swoon.
+But when she came to herself she looked again and lo! there was a
+scar on his face that he had from a fall when he was a child.  So she
+knew him again, and cried, "O my son Reynaud, how comes it that you
+are so greatly changed, you that were the fairest knight in all the
+world?" Then she looked about her, and knew her other sons also, and
+took them one by one in her arms, both rejoicing and lamenting.  So
+she wept and they wept also.
+
+And now came a yeoman to say that the dinner was served.  So the
+Duchess and her sons went to the table, and sat down and made good
+cheer.
+
+As they sat, the Duke came in from his hawking, and said "Who are
+these men that are so strange to look upon?"  "These are your
+children and mine," answered the Duchess.  "See what they have
+suffered, living in the woods.  I beseech you deal kindly with them."
+But the Duke hardened his heart against his sons, because he would be
+true to King Charles.  And there was much dispute between them, so
+that Reynaud had once half drawn his sword from its sheath.  Only
+Alard stayed him, "Set not your hand against him, for that is against
+God's commandment."  In the end peace was made between father and
+sons in this fashion.  Aymon said, "I cannot abide in the house with
+these men, for that were against my oath to King Charles.  But you,
+my wife, have much gold and silver, and horses and harness and
+armour.  Give to your sons so much as they will take."  Having said
+this, he departed from the house and his knights went with him.
+
+Then the Duchess called her sons to her.  First she commanded that
+they should make baths ready for them.  And when they had bathed, she
+gave them rich apparel of all that they needed.  This done she showed
+them the Duke Aymon's treasure and bade them take of it as much as
+they needed.  Nor did they fail so to do.  For Reynaud made such
+provision of men and arms that he gathered together a great company
+of soldiers.
+
+The next day, just as they were about to depart, came Mawgis their
+cousin, telling of how he had taken three horses of the King, laden
+with gold and silver.  "And of this treasure," said he to Reynaud his
+cousin.  "I am ready to give you the half."
+
+So they departed together, and the Duke Aymon met them as they went,
+and gave them his blessing, and "See," said he to the three, "that
+you obey your brother Reynaud, for he is good at counsel."  To the
+Duchess, when she was nigh distracted at the departure of her
+children, he said, "Be not troubled over much; we shall see them come
+again in great prosperity and honour."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE COMING OF ROLAND
+
+Reynaud and his brothers, with Mawgis their cousin, came in their
+riding to Poictiers, where it was told them that John, King of
+Gascony was hard pressed by the Saracens.  Reynaud said to his
+comrades, "Let us go to the help of the King."  To this they
+consented, and so coming to the city of Bordeaux were joyfully
+received by the King and his courtiers.
+
+Not many days after, the King of the Saracens came to Bordeaux, and
+Reynaud and his comrades went forth from the city to attack him.
+Then followed a great battle, and the Saracens fled, whom Reynaud
+pursued so hotly that all his friends counted him to have been slain.
+Great, therefore, was their joy when Reynaud came back, not only safe
+and sound, but bringing with him the King of the Saracens, as
+prisoner, for he had taken him in single combat.  Thereupon, King
+John, holding that he could not honour too greatly so valiant a
+knight, yielded to him a fair hill whereon was a castle, and gave him
+also his sister in marriage.  This castle Reynaud made very strong
+with towers and the like, and called it Montalban; and for a while
+the brothers had peace.
+
+It befell that King Charles, going on a pilgrimage, saw this same
+hill with the castle built upon it, and much admiring, would know who
+dwelt there.  When he heard that it was the castle of the sons of
+Aymon, he was very wroth, and sent an embassy, of which Ogier the
+Dane was the leader, to King John, demanding that the brothers and
+their company should be delivered to him.  "I will do no such thing,"
+said the King.  Thereupon King Charles said to his barons, "You see
+how this man defies us.  Come now, we will go to Paris, and hold a
+council of the whole realm, and consider how we shall deal with him."
+
+When the Council was assembled, the King stood up, and set the matter
+before them.  Then the Duke Naymes spake in this fashion; "Sir, we
+are wrong in this war; let us have peace for five years; after that,
+if you are so minded, we will fight again."  This counsel angered the
+King greatly, but while he doubted what he should say, there came to
+the palace a young man, very fair, and well arrayed, with thirty
+squires following him, and did obeisance to the King.  "Tell me your
+name," said Charles.  "Sire," answered the stranger, "my name is
+Roland, and I am your nephew, being son of your sister that is
+married to the Duke of Milan."  "You are welcome," said the King.
+"To-morrow I will make you a knight and you shall make war upon these
+traitors, the sons of Aymon."  "That I will do right willingly,"
+answered Roland, "seeing that Reynaud slew my cousin, Berthelot."
+
+On the morrow the King made Roland a knight.  But while they sat at
+the feast, there came a messenger saying that the city of Cologne was
+beset of Saracens.  Said Roland to the King, "Let me go against these
+infidels," and the King answered, "You shall go."  So Roland went
+with twenty thousand men well armed and fell upon the Saracens, and
+took from them spoils and prisoners, and overcame their King in
+single combat, bringing him back to Paris and delivering him to the
+King.
+
+The King said to Duke Naymes, "How did Roland, my nephew, bear
+himself in the battle?"  "Never did knight bear himself better,"
+answered the Duke, "only he needs a horse that should carry him well
+when he is fully armed.  I counsel you, therefore, to make a
+proclamation that there shall be a race of all the best horses in
+your realm, and that you will give to the horse that shall prevail
+your crown of gold, and five hundred marks of fine silver, and a
+hundred rolls of silk."  "This is good counsel," said the King, and
+he caused proclamation to be made, and the lists to be set up.
+
+Now it chanced that a yeoman of Gascony, being in Paris, heard the
+proclamation, and going back to his own country told the matter to
+Reynaud and Mawgis.  When Reynaud heard it, he laughed and said: "Now
+shall the King see as good a race as ever was run in the world, for I
+will go to Paris with Bayard and win this prize."  "I will go with
+you," said Mawgis, "and your brethren also, and we will have with us
+some knights well armed."
+
+So Reynaud and his company set out, and when any one would know who
+they were, they said that they were from Bearn, and that they were
+journeying to Paris to run their horses in the King's race.  When
+they were now near to Paris, Mawgis, being a great magician, took a
+certain herb that he knew, and when he had pounded it with the pommel
+of his sword, and tempered it with water, he rubbed Bayard therewith,
+so that he became all white.  And he took another herb that he knew
+and therewith caused Reynaud to look like a youth of twenty years.
+When the others saw Reynaud and his horse, how changed they were,
+they laughed aloud.  Then Reynaud and Mawgis parted from them, and
+went on alone to Paris with Bayard the horse.
+
+Meanwhile, the King had sent the Duke Naymes, and Ogier the Dane, and
+another, with a hundred knights to keep the road from Orleans, that
+none might pass without their knowledge.  There they abode, not a few
+days, suffering much from hunger and thirst.  "What do we here?" said
+Duke Naymes.  "Does the King hold us to be fools that he makes us
+tarry here for nothing?"  "You say well," said Ogier the Dane, "let
+us go back."  But even as he spake, they were aware of two men on
+horseback.  Said the Duke, "That horse is Bayard, but that he is of
+another colour."  When the men were near, the Duke said to them, "Who
+are you?"  Mawgis answered, "My name is Sousser, and I come from
+Peron, and this is my son, but he speaks no French."  The Duke said
+to Reynaud, "Man, know you anything of Reynaud, the son of Aymon?"
+Reynaud answered him with strange words that no man could understand.
+"What devil taught thee to speak such strange French?  Maybe 'tis
+Latin, but thou art more like to a fool than to a bishop."  And he
+suffered the two to pass in peace.
+
+When they came to Paris some ill fellow saw them, and cried in a loud
+voice, "This is Reynaud, son of Aymon," at which saying many ran
+together.  Thereupon the villain, growing bold, caught Bayard by the
+bridle.  But the horse smote the man on the breast with his fore
+foot, and killed him.
+
+Then the two rode on, and took a lodging in an inn; where when they
+bedded their horses, Mawgis took a thread of silk and waxed it well
+and after bound the fore feet of Bayard.  Said the host, "Why do you
+this?  The horse can run but ill being so bound.  But tell me who is
+the knight; had he more years he were like Reynaud the son of Aymon."
+Mawgis answered, "I bound the horse's feet because he is given to
+fighting.  As for his rider he is my son."  But it chanced that, not
+long after, Mawgis named Reynaud by name, and the host heard it and
+said, "This beyond all doubt is Reynaud who slew the King's nephew.
+Truly, before I sleep, I will tell the matter to the King."  Reynaud
+heard the man speak and straightway slew him.  Thereat there was no
+small outcry, but the two knights mounted on their horses, and
+mingling with the crowd, so escaped.
+
+After mass the King and his lords went down to a certain meadow that
+is by the river Seine, where the race should be run.  And the two
+knights went with him, but Bayard having his foot bound halted much.
+Then said one knight, "See here the horse that will win the prize,"
+and another said, "Verily, he will win, if God so favour him."  And
+they laughed him to scorn.
+
+When the trumpets sounded for the starting of the horses they all
+ran.  When Mawgis saw this, he lighted from his horse and cut the
+thread of silk that was bound about Bayard's foot.  And Reynaud
+spurred his horse, saying to him, "Bayard, we are far behind, now it
+is time for you to haste."  When Bayard heard his master so speak, he
+understood him as well as though he had been a man.  Straightway he
+held up his head, and stretched forth his neck, and ran so fast that
+he speedily passed all the other horses.  When the King saw this he
+said to Richard of Normandy, "This white horse is marvellously swift,
+and he is like to Bayard, the horse of Reynaud, son of Aymon."
+Reynaud, having prevailed in the race, took the crown of gold, but
+the silver and the silk he disdained.  Then having the crown in his
+hand, he rode back to the palace where the King sat with his lords.
+The King said to him, "I will give you for your horse such treasure
+as will content you."  Reynaud answered: "Sire, I have angered you
+many times, and slain your men, and now I carry away your crown.
+Know that I am Reynaud, son of Aymon.  Seek elsewhere for a horse
+that you may give to Roland your nephew.  But Bayard you shall not
+have."  So saying he spurred his horse, and rode away, and when he
+had travelled certain miles, then came Mawgis on his black horse.  So
+these two returned to the castle of Montalban, and were received with
+great joy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+OF THE TREACHERY OF KING JOHN
+
+King Charles said to his knights and barons, "See now how this
+villain Reynaud has deceived me, and carried away my crown.  Devise
+some means by which I may recover that which I have lost."  "You must
+besiege," said the Duke Naymes, "his castle of Montalban."  So the
+King gathered together a great army, so great indeed that provisions
+failed them.  After Easter he set out from Paris, and in due time
+came to Reynaud's castle, Montalban.
+
+The King had made Roland captain of his host.  When Roland therefore
+saw the castle, he being even overbold, said to the King, "Let us
+assault this place without delay."  But the King answered, "Not so,
+we will first try them, whether they will yield up the place
+peaceably."  He sent therefore a messenger who should say to Reynaud,
+"The King bids you yield up your castle and also your brother
+Richard.  If you refuse he will take it by force, and hang up both
+you and him."  Reynaud answered, "I am not one that betrays friends.
+But if the King will assure to us our lives and our castle we will
+yield ourselves to him."  To this the King would not consent.
+Therefore he besieged the place meaning to reduce it by famine, for
+he perceived that it could not be taken by force.
+
+It fell on a certain day that Roland, seeing that there were many
+birds by the river, was minded to go hawking.  So he went with Oliver
+his comrade (this Oliver was a very noble knight, and a close friend
+to Roland) and a company of knights, the bravest of the host.  This
+was seen by a certain spy, who told it to Reynaud and Mawgis.  Mawgis
+said, "Cousin, you will do well to attack the King's host, for they
+are not thinking of battle."  So these two issued forth from the
+castle and four thousand knights with them.
+
+Turpin the Archbishop[1] was in charge of the King's host.  When he
+saw the enemy come forth from the castle, he was not a little
+troubled.  First he called to Ogier the Dane that he should arm
+himself, and afterwards to the other barons and knights that they
+should make ready for battle.
+
+
+[1] The real Turpin was, it would seem, Tilpin, Archbishop of Rheims
+from 754 to 794.  We do not know that Tilpin was a warrior, but his
+predecessor, Milo by name, is said to have been a "warrior clerk,"
+and as such to have been put into the archbishopric by Charles Martel.
+
+
+First Reynaud slew a certain knight of the King's army.  When Turpin
+the Archbishop saw this he spurred his horse against Reynaud.  The
+two met with so great force that the spears of both were broken in
+pieces; but Reynaud being the quicker to draw his sword dealt the
+Archbishop so grievous a blow that both he and his horse were
+well-nigh brought to the ground.  Then cried Reynaud, "Father, are
+you that Turpin that boasts himself so much?  By my faith you were
+better singing mass in some church than fighting with me."  The
+Archbishop was much angered at these words, and made at Reynaud with
+all his might.  But neither he nor Ogier the Dane nor any one of the
+King's men could hold their ground that day against the sons of
+Aymon.  And when Mawgis and his knights came forth from the wood
+where they lay in ambush, and assailed the King's host on the flank,
+then the Frenchmen fled, not without great loss, especially at the
+crossing of the river.  The knights from Montalban pursued them for a
+mile or so, and Mawgis took the golden dragon that was on Roland's
+tent (for Roland had not yet come back from hawking) and set it on
+the great tower of Montalban, so that all men might see it.  When the
+King saw it he said, "Now has Roland taken the fortress of these
+villains."  But when he knew the truth, he was well-nigh beside
+himself with rage.
+
+Meanwhile King John was not a little troubled in mind.  For he said
+to himself, "How will these things end?  These five knights, for all
+that they are brave warriors, cannot always prevail against the power
+of the King."  So he called his barons to a council, and demanded
+their advice.  One said one thing, and another another, but the
+greater part had little love for Reynaud.  Of these a certain old man
+that was called Earl Antony was the spokesman.  He said, "I know this
+Reynaud, of how haughty a temper he is.  His father had but a single
+town, and now he holds himself so high that he disdains to be the
+King's man.  And now you have nourished his pride, giving him your
+sister to wife.  And the end will be that he will take your kingdom
+from you, and have it for himself.  If you would save yourself from
+such dishonour, deliver him and his brethren to the King."
+
+When King John saw that this counsel pleased the greater part of his
+barons, he was much troubled in mind, and wept for grief and shame.
+Nevertheless he called his secretary to him, and said, "Now write to
+the King and say that, if he will leave wasting my land, I will
+presently deliver to him the sons of Aymon and Mawgis their cousin.
+If he will send to Vancouleurs, there he will find them, clothed with
+mantles of scarlet trimmed with fur, and riding upon mules."  So the
+secretary wrote according to these words in a letter, and gave the
+letter to a knight that he might take it to King Charles.  When the
+King had read the letter, he was very glad.  And he delivered to the
+messenger of the King a letter wherein he had written what it was in
+his mind to do, namely, to send Ogier the Dane with a company of
+knights who should take the brethren prisoner.  Also he sent from his
+treasury four mantles of scarlet, trimmed with fur.
+
+When King John had received the letter with the mantles, he commanded
+a hundred knights to make themselves ready to ride with him to the
+Castle of Montalban.  When he was come to the castle his sister came
+forth to greet him, but when she would have kissed him, as her custom
+was, he turned his face aside, saying, "Pardon me, my sister, I have
+an ill tooth that troubles me sore."  Not long after the brethren
+came back to the castle, and when they heard that the King was there,
+they took each his horn and sounded a welcome.  When the King heard
+the sound, he thought no little shame of himself, yet did not turn
+from his purpose.  When he saw the brethren, he said to them, "I have
+spoken for you to King Charles, and he has promised that if you will
+go to the plain of Vancouleurs riding on mules, clad in scarlet
+mantles which I will presently give you, with flowers in your hands
+and without arms, he will make peace with you.  For as soon as you
+shall cast yourselves at his feet, he will pardon you and give you
+again your lands."
+
+There was not a little debate among the brethren on this matter, for
+Reynaud was minded to go, but the others were unwilling.  The wife of
+Reynaud also was set against the journey, telling him of a terrible
+dream that she had dreamed.  "I saw," she said, "a thousand wild
+boars come out of the forest of Ardennes.  These fell upon you, and
+rent your body in pieces.  I saw how Alard was slain by an arrow by
+Frenchmen, and how Richard was hanged on an apple tree."  "Hold your
+peace," said Reynaud.  "He that puts his trust in dreams has but
+little faith in God.  Think you that your brother will betray us?
+Does he not send eight of his chief barons with us for surety."  To
+his brethren he said, "If you are fearful then will I go alone."
+
+So the four went their way to Vancouleurs, not without fears, for
+Reynaud himself doubted to what the matter might grow.  Now the plain
+of Vancouleurs was a solitary place, where four ways met, with
+forests on every side, in which forests, by command of the King, many
+hundreds of knights lay in ambush, ready to issue forth and fall upon
+the brethren.  Of these knights Ogier the Dane was the chief, and was
+not a little in doubt how he should bear him, for on the one hand he
+was near of kin to the brethren, and on the other he was bound in
+duty to perform the command of the King.  Sometimes he was inclined
+one way, and sometimes another.  First he suffered the brethren to
+pass unharmed when he might have taken them at a disadvantage in a
+narrow road; afterwards, when they were in the plain, he himself led
+his knights against them.
+
+When the brethren found that a great treachery had been practised
+upon them, they prepared to defend themselves, having first confessed
+their sins to each other, for lack of a priest to whom they might
+confess.  Great deeds did they that day, but not without suffering
+many things.  First Guichard was taken prisoner by the King's men and
+bound upon a horse.  Yet Reynaud delivered him from captivity.  Then
+Richard was grievously wounded by Gerard Lord of Valence, and came
+very near to death, but him also Reynaud, than whom there was never
+greater fighter in the world, rescued before it was too late.  And
+indeed it was in Richard's counsel that the brethren found
+deliverance.  For when he opened his eyes, having before been in a
+swoon, and saw Reynaud, he said to him, "See you that rock yonder
+that is so high and strong?  If we can win thither, we shall be safe
+from our enemies, at least for one while.  Nor do I doubt that
+Mawgis, who knows things that are hidden from other men, knows in
+what plight we are, and will bring us help presently."
+
+And Alard lifted Richard from the earth, and laid him upon his
+shield, and carried him to the rock, Reynaud and Guichard holding
+back meanwhile the King's men with such strength and valour as have
+never been surpassed, for they fought as men who have no hope for
+their lives, but think only how they may make most havoc among their
+enemies.  And now again did Ogier the Dane render them good service.
+Truly they had scarce won their way to the rock but for this, for
+when they were most hardly pressed he drew back his own company the
+length of a bowshot.  "You can deal with these men without me," said
+he to the King's barons.  "It were better that I should not meddle
+with them any more, seeing that they are my kinsmen."  And so
+somewhat by favour of Ogier, but chiefly by their own valour, the
+brethren won their way to the rock.
+
+Now the rock had four faces.  Of these Reynaud kept two, so strong
+was he, and Guichard one and Alard one.  As for Richard he was so
+spent with loss of blood that he lay upon the ground and could render
+no help.  After a while an evil chance fell upon them, for Guichard
+was so sorely wounded in the thigh that he could no longer stand upon
+his feet.  He cried to Reynaud, "Let us yield ourselves to the King,
+seeing that neither Richard nor I can help you any more."  "This is
+to speak as a coward," answered Reynaud.  "I would not yield myself
+for all the gold and silver in the world, no nor for Bayard my horse,
+though I love him better than all other things.  And, indeed, what
+were the profit of yielding ourselves?  We should of a certainty be
+hanged by the King, and it were better to perish here than to die in
+so shameful a fashion."  When Guichard heard these words he was
+greatly troubled in spirit.  "You are right, brother," he said.  "Cut
+me now the half of my shirt into strips and I will bind up my wounds
+as best I may, and so make shift to help you against our enemies."
+This he did; so these three still held the rock against the King.
+
+Meanwhile Mawgis knew how his kinsmen had been betrayed, and made
+haste to succour them.  He saddled the horse Bayard, and rode with a
+great company of knights as fast as might be to the place where the
+brethren were.  Great was Reynaud's joy to see him; while he was yet
+a long way off he knew him, not so much for himself as for the horse
+Bayard on which he rode.  Swift as a swallow was Bayard, every stride
+was of thirty feet at the least.  When Richard heard it, he said to
+his brother, "Lift me up in your arms that I may see him."  So
+Reynaud lifted him up, and when he saw Mawgis and Bayard coming up as
+a storm comes he said, "The sight makes me whole again."
+
+Ogier the Dane was glad to see that help had come to his kinsmen.
+"See you these men?" he said to the Frenchmen, "we cannot stand
+against them; let us retreat."  But while he was speaking, Mawgis
+came upon him, so swift was the horse Bayard, and defied him.
+"Ogier," he said, "you came of true men, but you are yourself
+untrue," and he spurred Bayard against him, and smote him on the
+breast with his spear so stoutly that he broke both shield and
+corslet.  What would have been the end no man can say, for Ogier on
+his part was not backward, but now the horse Bayard, knowing that his
+master was near, carried away Mawgis in his own despite, and came and
+knelt before Reynaud.  Then Mawgis lighted down from him, and greeted
+the brethren most lovingly.
+
+As for Ogier and the Frenchmen, not being minded to stand against the
+new-comers, they rode back to the river Dordogne, Reynaud crying out
+to his kinsman, "Ho! cousin! have you then left being a soldier and
+become a fisherman for eels or salmon?"
+
+When they had crossed over the river the Frenchmen blamed Ogier the
+Dane, for that he had favoured the brethren, while Ogier, on his
+part, was greatly troubled, knowing that they spake truly, and yet
+that the brethren held him in no regard for all that he had done.
+These things so wrought upon him that he mounted his horse and swam
+back across the river.  When he had come to the other bank, Reynaud,
+having ridden down to the river on Bayard to meet him, said, "Cousin,
+surely we have had enough of fighting; let us be content therewith."
+But Ogier answered, "You have blamed me for treachery, and my own
+friends say the same thing.  I would rather be slain than endure such
+reproaches."
+
+Reynaud said, "So be it."  And the two charged at each other and met
+with so great a shock that both were thrust from their saddles and
+fell to the ground.  Before they could raise themselves, for both
+received no small damage, the two horses, Bayard and the other, fell
+to fighting.  Then Ogier, knowing that Bayard was the stronger by far
+of the two, would have smitten him with his sword.  Reynaud, on the
+other hand, hindered him.  And when Mawgis and the brothers, that is
+to say, Alard and Guichard, for Richard was too sorely wounded, saw
+this, they made all haste to come.  When Ogier perceived them, he had
+no choice but to mount on his horse and flee.  Then Reynaud cried
+after him, "Come back if you will and fetch your saddle," for the
+girths had been broken when the two jousted together, "and I will
+greet you in such a place that Charlemagne with all his men could not
+help you."  So Ogier passed over the river once again, and Mawgis
+with the brethren went back to the rock where they had left Richard.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+OF THE CRAFT OF MAWGIS
+
+When King John of Gascony heard all the trouble that had befallen the
+brethren, on the one side, and the Emperor and his knights, on the
+other, he could not rest, so much did his conscience trouble him.  So
+having bidden farewell to his sister Clare, Reynaud's wife, he sought
+a certain Abbey, and there took a monk's habit.  But a certain man
+that was a spy was aware of the matter, and told it to Roland.  Also
+he said that the brethren and Mawgis were journeying to Montalban.
+Then Roland, having first called Oliver, said, "We will go now and
+fight with the sons of Aymon, and we will take four thousand men only
+with us, so that we shall have no advantage over them, inasmuch as
+they have five thousand well horsed and well armed."  Said Ogier the
+Dane, "I will go with you and see how you fare, and I promise that if
+you lay hands on them I will lend you a rope."
+
+Roland first came to the Abbey, and said to the Abbot.  "You have
+here in a monk's habit a certain John, whom men call King of Gascony.
+Deliver him to me that I may hang him as a thief."  And when the
+Abbot would not consent, Roland entered the cloister, and took King
+John by force, the man being known to him, and set him on a horse,
+with his face to the tail.  The King said to a certain knight whom he
+knew, "Go now to Reynaud and say that I am in sore straits."  "Sir,"
+said the knight, "I doubt whether Reynaud will so much as stir a foot
+to help you."  Nevertheless he consented to go.
+
+Now Reynaud had come by this time to the castle of Montalban.  But
+when his wife the Lady Clare came forth to meet him, he would not
+suffer her to come near to him.  "Go," he said, "to your false
+brother John."  The children also, for he had two sons, he spurned
+away.  "I will have none of this evil brood," said he.  But when the
+Lady Clare swore by all the Saints that she had no knowledge of her
+brother's wickedness and fell in a swoon at his feet, and his
+brothers also made intercession for her, his heart was softened, and
+he consented to receive her again.
+
+As they sat at meat there came the knight from King John.  He said,
+"King John is in sore straits.  Roland has taken him prisoner, and is
+stedfastly purposed to hang him.  The King knows that he has sinned
+grievously against you, nevertheless he prays that you will help
+him."  Then cried Alard, "If Roland hang that traitor, he will do
+well."  But Reynaud said nothing.
+
+When he had thought a long while he began to speak, telling all the
+story of his life, how he had himself done wrong to others, and how
+he had suffered many things, and was bound to show mercy rather than
+hardness.  "King John," he said, "would have betrayed me, but he did
+it for fear of King Charles.  It becomes me to help him in his need."
+
+To this the brethren consented, though not willingly.  So they set
+forth, having six thousand men on horseback, and one thousand on
+foot, and before they had gone many hours' journey there came Roland
+and Oliver and Ogier the Dane, having King John with them, as has
+been said.
+
+When Ogier saw them, he greatly rejoiced.  "If one had given me a
+thousand marks in gold," he said, "it had not pleased me so well as
+that Roland should meet the brethren and Mawgis and learn of what
+quality they are."  To Roland he said, "See now what you have desired
+so long.  If you take these men alive the King will give you great
+thanks therefor, and you will have Bayard for your own, and the war
+will be ended."  Roland answered "Ogier, you say not this in
+kindness, but I will do my best."
+
+Reynaud, on the other part, when he saw Roland and his company, said
+to his brothers, "Stay you behind till you are wanted.  I will make
+trial of this great Roland."  And when they would have kept him back
+he said, "I know that he is the strongest knight in all the world.
+Nevertheless I will meet him, for mine is the right cause and his the
+wrong.  Therefore I shall certainly prevail."
+
+When the two armies were now near, Oliver said to Roland, "these men
+are too many for us."  "Not so," answered Roland, "the Gascons are
+but cowards."  "Maybe," said Turpin the Archbishop, "but they have a
+good leader this day, and a valiant man has ever valiant men to
+follow him."
+
+[Illustration: REYNAUD KNEELING TO ROLAND.]
+
+Roland, liking this talk but little, rode forth to meet Reynaud.  But
+Reynaud, when he was now at the distance to charge, lighted down off
+Bayard, and fixing his spear in the earth, tethered his horse, and
+running forward knelt before Roland and said to him, "I pray you to
+have pity on me, for you are of kin to me.  I will give you Bayard my
+horse, that is the most precious thing I have, and my lordship of
+Montalban, if you can make the King to be at peace with us.  Further,
+I promise that I will leave France for the rest of my days, and go to
+the Holy Land with my brothers and Mawgis, and there make war upon
+the Saracens."
+
+Roland was much troubled at these words, and said, "I would that it
+might be, but the King will not make peace except you deliver to him
+Mawgis."  "Mawgis," said Reynaud, "is not one that a man can give or
+take.  And now seeing that I have humbled myself in vain let us two
+settle this matter.  There is no need that others should shed their
+blood, but we only.  If you overcome me then shall you take me to the
+King, that he may do with me as he will; but if I, on the other hand,
+overcome, then will I take you to Montalban, but you shall suffer no
+harm or shame."
+
+To this Roland consented, but his friends would not suffer it to be
+so.  So the two armies met together in battle, and many were slain on
+both sides, but in the end Reynaud and his men prevailed over Roland
+and his army.  Nevertheless Reynaud suffered this great loss and
+damage, that his brother Richard, having assailed Roland, was
+overthrown and taken prisoner.
+
+When Reynaud heard these tidings he was greatly troubled, and would
+have given himself up to King Charles, if he might so deliver his
+brother.  But this the others would not suffer.  Then said Mawgis,
+"Trouble not yourselves about Richard, I will set him free.  Do you
+go to Montalban."  But they doubted how he should do this, and were
+in great heaviness.
+
+Meanwhile Mawgis disguised himself in such a fashion that no one
+could know him.  By eating of a certain herb he made himself much
+bigger to see, and with another herb he darkened his face almost to
+blackness.  Then he put on him the habit of a pilgrim, having a
+mantle and hood, and great boots on his feet, and a staff in his
+hand.  This done, he conveyed himself with more speed than if he had
+ridden the swiftest of horses to the King's camp, for he was a
+magician, as has been said.  This speed he used that he might be
+beforehand with Roland.
+
+When he was come to the Camp, he watched till the King came forth
+from his tent, and said to him, "God keep you, Sir, from all
+treason!"  Now the King, having been deceived many times, said, "Who
+is this knave?  Does he compass some treason?"  For a while the false
+pilgrim made no answer.  But then, as one that takes courage to
+speak, he said, "Sir, you may see that I am a poor man that has more
+need of health than of compassing treason.  I am newly come from
+Jerusalem, where I worshipped at the Holy Sepulchre, and now I must
+go to Rome and to St. James of Compostella, but I am in great
+trouble.  Yesterday, as I was passing over the river Gironde with ten
+men that I had to guard me, there fell upon me some thieves that slew
+all my men and took all that I had.  These thieves told me that they
+were the four sons of Amyon, and one Mawgis, their cousin.  And when
+I asked them why they dealt so hardly with me, they answered that
+they were in such sore need at their castle of Montalban that they
+could not choose but rob all wayfarers.  Then they beat me and let me
+go.  And now, Sire, I pray that you will avenge me of these robbers."
+
+The King answered, "Gladly would I avenge you if I might, but I can
+do nothing against these men."  And the false pilgrim said, "If I
+cannot have help of man, yet surely I shall have it of God."  The
+King said, "This seems to be a godly man."  And he turned to his
+lords.  "It would be a good deed to give this pilgrim alms."  And he
+commanded his steward to give him twenty pounds in silver.
+
+When Mawgis received the money, he said to himself, "Surely you shall
+have a reward for this."  But aloud he said, "I pray you, Sire, to
+give me some meat, for since yesterday I have neither eaten nor
+drunk."  And the King commanded that he should be served with the
+very best.
+
+So Mawgis ate and drank; he said nothing, but looked very earnestly
+at the King.  And Charlemagne said, "Tell me, pilgrim, why you look
+so earnestly upon me?"  The false pilgrim answered, "Sire, I have
+travelled in many lands, but never saw I, whether among Saracens or
+Christian men, so godly and courteous a prince.  Now, therefore, of
+all the pardons that I have I will give you half."  "That," answered
+the King, "is a fair gift.  I take it willingly."  So the false
+pilgrim gave him his staff to kiss for a token.
+
+And now came Roland with Richard his prisoner.  But before he had
+audience of the King, the Duke Naymes and other Barons said to him,
+"It will be ill done if you deliver Richard to the King.  Let him
+depart in peace."  "That," answered Roland, "I will do right
+willingly if I may."
+
+But a certain yeoman that was standing by heard the Barons and Roland
+talking together, and told the matter to the King.  And he, coming
+forth from his tent, when he saw Richard, cried, "Villain, now that I
+have you, I will see that you are hanged by the neck," and he smote
+him with his staff.  Then Richard leapt upon the King, for he had
+been unbound, and the two wrestled together and fell to the earth.
+But the Barons laid hands upon them and held them apart.
+
+When Mawgis saw how the King had smitten Richard, he had much ado to
+keep still.  Nevertheless he restrained himself, making a sign to
+Richard, and when Richard knew him he was glad, being sure that he
+should be delivered by his means.
+
+After this Mawgis departed from the King's camp, and went with all
+speed to Montalban.  Being come there, he said to the three brethren,
+"Richard is yet alive, but he is in great straits.  Come and deliver
+him while there is yet time."  Thereupon they all set out.  But when
+they were come near to the camp, and had hidden themselves in a wood
+that was hard by, it so happened that for weariness they all fell
+into a deep sleep.  And this thing came near to the undoing of
+Richard.
+
+Meanwhile the King called his Barons together.  First he said to
+Berenger, Lord of Valois, "I will make you quit of all service to me
+if you will take this knave Richard and see that he is hanged."
+Berenger answered, "You love me little, my lord King, if you make
+such a demand of me.  I will not do this thing."
+
+Then the King said to another of the Barons, "You hold Bavaria of me,
+and are bound to serve me with three thousand men.  I will quit you
+of this service if you will hang this knave Richard."  "I will not
+hurt the man," answered the Earl.
+
+Then he turned to Ogier the Dane and said, "Now, if you would prove
+me your love, hang this fellow."  "Nay," answered Ogier, "I will not,
+and, moreover, I hold any man to be my enemy that shall harm Richard."
+
+At the last he said to Turpin the Archbishop, "Hang this Richard, and
+I will make you Pope of Rome."  "Sire," answered Turpin, "to do so
+would be against my priest's duty."
+
+At last the King prevailed with a certain knight, Ripus by name, that
+he should do this deed.  So this Ripus, having put a halter about
+Richard's neck, led him to the gallows which had been set up outside
+the wood.  And when Richard would have given him gold he would have
+none of it.  Only he suffered that a priest should shrive him, to
+whom indeed Richard confessed more sins than he had committed in his
+whole life, so gaining a little time, for he yet looked for help.
+And when the shriving was ended, then he begged for time wherein he
+might make his prayers, nor could Ripus say him nay.
+
+And now, when he was in the greatest need, did the good horse Bayard
+help him, for he, having such wit as never horse had before, seeing
+that Reynaud his master was fast asleep, smote with his hoof on his
+shield that he woke him, and he, looking up, the gallows being hard
+by the wood, saw Richard now beginning to mount the ladder that was
+set against the gallows.  Then he leapt on Bayard's back, and made
+all haste to deliver Richard, Mawgis and Alard and Guichard following
+him with all the speed they could use.
+
+As for Ripus and his men, they could make no stand against the
+brothers and Mawgis.  Many were slain, and the rest were right glad
+to fly.  Then Reynaud took the bodies of Ripus and fifteen of his
+knights that lay dead upon the plain and hanged them on the gallows
+that had been set up for Richard.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+MORE DEEDS OF MAWGIS
+
+When Reynaud had accomplished the delivering of his brother Richard,
+he sent the greater part of his company back to Montalban, but he
+himself remained with the rest, being minded to do some great thing
+against King Charles.  And this he did, for making his way into the
+camp with his comrades, he came to the King's tent.  Cutting the
+cords, so that the whole tent fell to the ground, he laid hands on
+the golden Eagle that was on the great pole in the middle, a thing so
+costly that no man could tell the price thereof.  In this Mawgis
+helped him.
+
+But this adventure had nearly turned out to the great disadvantage of
+the brothers and Mawgis.  For Mawgis was not content with the taking
+of the Eagle, but would have slain the King.  He made his way into
+the inner part of the tent where the King lay, and said to him, "Sir
+King, you have troubled us over long, slaying my father and doing us
+all manner of mischief.  And now you shall die."  So saying, he
+thrust at the King with his spear; but the King turned about, and the
+spear was thrust into the bed two feet and more.  Then was King
+Charles sore afraid, and cried out for Roland.  When Mawgis heard
+this he looked round, and lo! Reynaud and the brethren were gone.
+
+When he found himself to be alone, then, for all that he was as stout
+a warrior as ever bare arms, he was not a little troubled, and turned
+to flee.  But many of the King's knights pursued him, and hindered
+him from escaping, and at the last Oliver overthrew him, casting him
+down from his horse to the ground, so that he was fain to yield
+himself prisoner.  And Oliver took him to the King's tent.
+
+When the King saw him, he was very glad, and said, "Now, you false
+thief, you shall pay for all the villainies that you have done."
+"Sir King," answered Mawgis, "you have me in your power and you can
+work your will upon me.  Nevertheless, I will counsel you for the
+best.  Make peace, and you shall have the best knights in all the
+world to serve you.  But if you slay me, you shall get from the deed
+no profit but much harm."
+
+The King said to his Barons: "Now cause that they make a gallows, so
+that I may hang this Mawgis or ever we sup."  "Sir," said the Duke
+Naymes, "I advise you to wait till the morrow.  Your enemies will
+mock you, saying that you durst not do this man to death in daylight
+for fear of them."  But the King answered, "I should be shamed,
+indeed, if this fellow should escape."
+
+When Mawgis heard these words, he said to the King, "If this is what
+you fear, I will give you my word that I will not go away without
+taking leave of you in due form."  "But who will be your surety?"
+said the King.  Then Mawgis looking round, saw the twelve Peers, and
+he said to Oliver, "Sir, when I yielded myself to you, you promised
+to be surety for me to the King."  Then he turned him to Roland, and
+made the like request and so with all the Twelve.  And the Peers
+consented to his request, and stood surety for him.
+
+Then Mawgis said to the King, "I am hungry, give me some meat."  "Can
+you eat," said the King, "being in such a plight?"  But the Duke
+Naymes said: "The man that has eaten is better prepared for all
+things."  "So be it," said the King; "but where shall the fellow
+sit?"  "He should best sit by you," said Roland.  "You say well,"
+answered the King, "for indeed I cannot trust him to be elsewhere."
+
+After supper the King commanded that the Twelve Peers should watch
+Mawgis through the night.  Nor was he even then content, for he
+called for irons, and bound the man's hands and his feet.  And the
+key of the irons he kept.  "Now," said he, "you shall not escape me,
+you false thief."  "Think you so?" said Mawgis.  "Nevertheless, I
+shall be at Montalban to-morrow before prime."  And the King was so
+wroth, that he would have slain the man forthwith, only the Peers
+hindered him.
+
+This done, they sat down to play at the tables, and at chess, and at
+other games.  After a while they all felt a great desire to sleep.
+Whereupon Mawgis began to work upon them with his magic.  First he
+made their sleep to be stronger by far, so that the King and the
+Peers and the whole company were altogether mastered by it.  Then
+with another charm he loosed the collar from his neck and the fetters
+from his legs.  Then seeing that the King had fallen with his head
+awry, he took a pillow and set it under him.  Also he took from him
+his sword Joyous, and from Roland his sword Durendal, and the sword
+which Oliver carried, Hautclere by name.  Also he took much treasure
+out of the King's treasury.  When he had so done, he took a herb that
+he had, and rubbed the King's nose and lips with it, and said, "Wake,
+Sir King, I said that I should not go without taking leave.  Now,
+therefore, farewell," and he vanished out of the place.
+
+When the King came to himself, he was so angry as never man was
+before.  He would have woke the Peers, but could not, so fast asleep
+were they.  Then he bethought him of a certain herb that he had
+brought from overseas.  This he rubbed on the nose and mouth and eyes
+of the Peers, and they awoke forthwith.  Said the Duke Naymes, "Where
+now is Mawgis?"  "He is gone," answered the King, "and by your fault,
+for ye hindered me when I would have hanged him."  "Did you see him
+depart?" said Oliver to Roland, "No, by St. Denis," answered Roland.
+But the King said, "I saw him go with my own eyes."  "Then you should
+have warned us," said Roland, and as he spake he put his hand to his
+side and missed his good sword Durendal.  And when the Peers found
+that their swords were gone they were fairly distraught with anger.
+
+The next day the King said to his Barons: "Go now to Reynaud, and
+tell him that if he will give back to me my golden Eagle and my
+crown, and my sword Joyous, then I will grant him a truce for two
+years.  Ogier shall take this message, and the Duke Naymes and Turpin
+the Archbishop."
+
+So these mounted their horses and rode to Montalban.  When they were
+come to the gate, they called the porter and said to him, "We be
+knights of the King, and would fain speak with Sir Reynaud."  So the
+porter told the thing to the brethren.
+
+Richard went to the gate and saluted them courteously, and brought
+them into the castle, where they were honourably received by Reynaud
+and the Lady Clare, Alard also and Guichard helping.  Then Ogier
+delivered his message, and Reynaud said, "Tarry here, my lords, this
+night, and we will give you an answer in the morning."  To this they
+consented.  So a great feast was prepared, and they sat down and were
+right royally entertained.
+
+The next day the Duke Naymes said to Reynaud, "What answer do you
+make to the King?"  Reynaud answered, "I will do as he desires."
+
+When Ogier the Dane heard this, he was glad, and thought within
+himself, "Now will the King be greatly pleased.  Maybe there shall be
+not a truce only, but peace.  If I can move Reynaud to come back with
+us to the King, the two may well be reconciled."  So he told his
+thought to Reynaud and Reynaud consented to it.
+
+The next day they set out.  Ogier and the Duke Naymes went on with
+all speed they might use to the King's camp; but Reynaud and Alard
+followed slowly with Turpin and another.
+
+In the meanwhile a certain spy, having knowledge of the whole matter,
+made haste to tell it to the King, and this he did before that Ogier
+and the Duke were come to the camp.  When the King heard it, he said
+to Oliver: "Take with you two hundred knights, and ride with all
+haste to the river of Besançon, where, if you use diligence, you will
+find Reynaud and Alard.  Lay hold of them and bring them hither to
+me."
+
+So Oliver rode with his knights, and when he was come to the river,
+he found Reynaud on foot and Bayard his horse so far from him that he
+could not mount him; so he was taken unawares.  Then he turned to
+Turpin and that other in great anger, saying, "Villains, you have
+betrayed me."  "Sir," answered Turpin, "I swear to you that I am
+innocent in this matter."
+
+Reynaud said to Oliver, "Remember you how I helped you at Vancouleurs
+when you were borne to the ground, giving you again your horse and
+helping you to mount."  "I remember it well," answered Oliver.  "No
+man shall harm you if I can hinder him.  Nevertheless I must take you
+to the King."  So they set out to go to the camp.
+
+But the Duke Naymes and Ogier and Oliver and all the Peers made
+entreaty to the King, that he would make peace with the brethren.
+But he hardened his heart against them.  "You waste your breath," he
+said, "I will do the thing that I choose, though you all shall say me
+nay;" and turning to Reynaud he said, "You shall not cheat me as did
+that false thief Mawgis, for I will cut you into pieces and burn the
+pieces with fire."  "Sir," answered Reynaud, "you shall not do so,
+God being my helper."
+
+The King, being thus defied, turned him to Ogier, and said, "Ogier,
+will you take the part of my mortal enemy?"  "That will not I,"
+answered Ogier; "nevertheless I will defend my honour against all
+men, even against the King."
+
+Then said Reynaud, "Sir, you have said that I am a traitor.  Now know
+that I am no traitor, neither is there a traitor in all my house and
+kindred.  And if any man say ought against me or my kinsmen, then
+will I fight with him, man to man."  The King answered, "I will prove
+my accusation against you by force of arms."  Then Reynaud said
+again.  "Sir, you speak as a King should speak.  I give you my gage
+that I am as true a man as any that lives in the world."  "I will
+take your gage," answered the King, "If so be you can find sureties."
+Then Ogier and Turpin and the Duke Naymes and another stood sureties
+for him.
+
+Reynaud said to the King, "Are you content with these sureties."
+"That I am," answered the King.  Then Reynaud would know with whom he
+should fight.  "With me," said the King.  But when Roland heard this,
+he said, "It must not be so, Sire; I will fight in your place."  And
+so it was ordered.  Then Reynaud, being mounted on Bayard, with the
+Duke Naymes and Ogier and other Peers, returned to Montalban.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+HOW MAWGIS BECAME A HERMIT
+
+Reynaud entertained the Barons that night in Royal fashion.  The next
+day, after they had heard mass, he was minded to set forth, and he
+said to his brothers and Mawgis, "Tarry here and keep this castle."
+"Nay," said Alard, "we will come with you.  Maybe you will have need
+of help."  "Alard has spoken well," said Ogier the Dane.  Then said
+Reynaud to Mawgis, "You at the least will tarry here."  "That will I
+do, fair cousin," answered Mawgis, "and be sure that Montalban shall
+suffer no harm through me."
+
+Reynaud rode to Montfaucon, and there he found Roland waiting for
+him.  Roland spake the first, and said, "Be sure, Sir Reynaud, that
+when you leave the field this day, you will so leave it that you will
+never again fight with me or any other man."  "Such threatenings do
+not become so good a knight," answered Reynaud.  Roland said again,
+"I am not here for peace, but for war.  If you are wise you will keep
+yourself far from me."  "You are overproud," answered Reynaud, "maybe
+I shall abate your high thoughts."
+
+When Reynaud had spoken these words, he spurred Bayard and charged
+Roland, and Roland also charged from his side.  With so great a shock
+did they come together, that their spears were broken to pieces.  As
+for Reynaud, he was borne to the earth, his saddle girths breaking,
+and Roland's feet were thrust out of the stirrups.  Then Reynaud
+rising quickly from the ground smote Roland a mighty blow with his
+sword, so that he scarce knew where he was.  Nevertheless, drawing
+his good sword Durendal, he made at Reynaud, and dealt him a great
+stroke.  Long and fierce was the battle between these two, for they
+both were as hardy knights as lived.
+
+Then the Duke Naymes cried to the King, "This is ill done to send to
+their death two such valiant knights, who might do good service
+against the heathen.  Bid them cease from their fighting, Sir King."
+But the King said nought.
+
+Reynaud said to Roland, "Let us light down and fight afoot lest by
+chance we should kill our horses, for if we lose them we are not like
+to get their like again."  With this Roland was content.  So they
+lighted down from their horses and fought on foot.  First they fought
+with swords, but neither one could get the better of the other.  When
+Roland saw that he could not prevail with his sword he caught the
+other round the waist, and wrestled with him in the same fashion as
+the Northerners use.  So they two strove together for so long a time
+as a man might take for the running of a mile.  Then seeing that
+neither could throw the other they sat down, being utterly wearied;
+their helmets and shields were partly broken, and the ground whereon
+they had stood was trampled as if men had beaten corn thereon.
+
+Then there came to pass a right wonderful thing.  There suddenly fell
+upon the two so thick a cloud that neither could see the other.  Then
+Roland, having bethought himself awhile, said to Reynaud, "Will you
+do me a courteous turn, and I will some day, if you should need it,
+do the same to you."  Reynaud answered, "I am ready to do whatsoever
+you shall ask me."  Then Roland said, "I will that you take me with
+you to Montalban, for I am persuaded in my mind that in this matter
+you have the right and I the wrong."
+
+So Roland mounted his horse, and Reynaud mounted on Bayard, and they
+rode away side by side.  When King Charles saw them he was not a
+little astonished, and leaping upon his horse he cried aloud, "Now
+shall I see who is on my side."  And he hurried after the two
+knights, and many Frenchmen went with him.
+
+By this time the King, having been baulked of his will once again,
+for he had counted it for certain that Roland would overcome Reynaud,
+was yet more steadfastly determined not to give peace to the
+brethren; therefore he bade Duke Richard of Normandy ride on and
+guard the crossing over the river while he himself followed with all
+the host that he could muster.
+
+So the King and his army came to Montalban and set up his tent before
+the great gates of the castle.  One came to Mawgis and said, "The
+King is come with a great host, and has set up his tent before the
+great wall."  "Take no heed of this," answered Mawgis; "if the King
+has done this thing he has done it to his own loss."
+
+When Reynaud knew of the matter he told it to Roland, and Roland
+said, "I will now send to the King my uncle this message--that
+Reynaud has dealt with me right courteously; also that he and his
+brethren and Mawgis will give themselves and their castle into his
+hands if only he will promise to save us alive."  "You speak well,"
+said Reynaud; "I am content to do this."
+
+Then they doubted who should take this message to the King.  At last
+it was agreed that the Duke of Naymes and Ogier the Dane should take
+it.  So these two went to the King where he sat in his tent before
+the great gates of the castle.
+
+But the King hardened his heart, and would not listen to the Duke
+Naymes and Ogier.  Nay more, he cried, "Flee from this place, ye
+villains!  Reynaud shall have no peace with me till I have Mawgis to
+do with as I will."  Then the Barons went back to the castle and told
+how they had fared.  Reynaud said, "I wonder that the King is so hard
+of heart.  But Mawgis I will not give to him; no, not though I should
+die for it."
+
+Then they went to supper, and ate their meat with much cheerfulness.
+Supper being ended, Reynaud said to Mawgis, "Cousin, I pray you to
+watch this night, for on this hangs the lives of us all."  "Sleep in
+peace," answered Mawgis, "for all shall be well."
+
+When all the Barons were abed Mawgis took Bayard out of his stable
+and rode to the King's camp.  When he was come thither he cast upon
+all the host, by a charm that he had, a very deep sleep.  This done,
+he went to the King's tent and took him out of his bed and laid him
+across Bayard, and carried him, still sleeping, to Montalban.
+
+Mawgis went to the chamber of Reynaud and said to him, "Cousin, what
+would you give me if I should deliver the King into your hands?"  "I
+would give you whatsoever you shall ask," answered Reynaud.  "Promise
+me then that you will do him no harm," said Mawgis.  Reynaud
+answered, "I promise."  Then Mawgis led him to his own chamber and
+showed him the King asleep in his bed.
+
+When Mawgis had delivered the King to Reynaud he went to the stable
+where he had left Bayard and rubbed the horse's back and head with
+straw, and kissed him, weeping the while.  This done he put on him
+his pilgrim's garb, and having given the porter all the clothing that
+he had, went forth from the gate.
+
+Mawgis journeyed till he came to the river Dordogne.  This he crossed
+in a boat, and having passed through a pine forest that was on the
+other side of the river, came to a well whereby there was a little
+house with a spring before the door, in which a hermit might
+conveniently dwell.  Having entered the house he saw an oratory and
+in it an image of Our Lady, and when he had knelt down before it he
+prayed that Our Lord would forgive him his sins.  This done, he made
+a great vow that he would abide in that place for the rest of his
+life, eating only such wild things as were in the wood.  This he did
+thinking that if he were away the King would make peace with the
+brethren.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+OF WHAT BEFELL AT MONTALBAN
+
+There was great trouble and wondering when the brethren knew that
+Mawgis was not in Montalban.  So they called the porter and asked him
+what he knew.  The porter said, "Sir Mawgis went out on Bayard; in a
+little while he came back, having a man of great stature on the
+horse's neck before him, and went into the castle.  Then he came
+forth again, poorly clad and on another horse.  More than this I know
+not."
+
+When Richard heard this he gnashed his teeth for anger, saying, "All
+this comes of the hatred that the King bears to us and to our
+kindred.  Fain would I slay him," and he made as if he would draw his
+sword from the scabbard.  But the others held him back, and they
+reasoned with him till he had promised to do no hurt to the King.
+
+When they told what had happened to Roland and the other Barons they
+were not a little astonished, and Ogier the Dane said, "All this
+trouble comes through the King's rage against the brethren, for
+indeed it is beyond all measure.  But now I trust there will be
+peace.  In very truth there has been war too long, and many good
+knights have been slain."
+
+And now the charm that Mawgis had laid upon the King came to an end,
+and he woke out of his sleep.  And when he knew that he was in the
+castle of Montalban, being aware that this was of Mawgis's doing, he
+was yet more angry than before, saying that there should be no peace
+till Mawgis should be delivered to him.
+
+When Richard heard him speak in this fashion he said, "Do you
+threaten us, Sire, in this fashion, being a prisoner and in our
+power?"  But Reynaud said, "Be silent, my brother; let the King say
+what he will; 'tis for us to pray that he make peace with us."  Then
+the brethren and all the knights and Barons that were there, whether
+of one party or of the other, fell upon their knees before the King,
+and begged that he would make peace, but the King hardened his heart,
+saying, "There shall be no peace till Mawgis be delivered to my will."
+
+Reynaud said, "My lord King, if you had my three brothers in your
+power, and were about to hang them, even then would I not deliver
+Mawgis to you.  But besides this I know not where he is."  "I do
+believe that he is in this very place," said the King.  "I swear by
+my baptism," cried Reynaud, "that this is not so, and I know not
+whither he is gone."
+
+Then again all the Barons made intercession with the King that he
+would grant peace to the brethren, and to Mawgis.  But the King did
+not abate in his wrath by one jot.  "I will have Mawgis, that I may
+work my will upon him."
+
+When Reynaud heard these words he rose up from his knees, for before
+he had been kneeling to the King, and said, speaking to Roland and to
+the other lords that were of the King's part, "Seeing that the King
+has hardened his heart, and will have no mercy on me and my kinsmen,
+I do call you to witness that I will henceforth seek my right by all
+means that a true knight may lawfully use."  Then he turned him to
+the King and said, "You may go in peace when you will, I will do you
+no hurt, for you are my sovereign lord."
+
+When the King's Barons heard these words they were not a little
+astonished, not thinking that any man could deal so generously with
+his enemy.  As for Richard, he was greatly displeased, and said, "Now
+have you let the enemy go; I fear me much that we shall all pay for
+this ill courtesy that you have shown to him with our lives."  But
+Reynaud answered, "Be silent, brother; know that I will not compel
+the King to do that which is against his will.  And now depart from
+my sight, for your high words please me not."
+
+Then Reynaud called to him a gentleman of his household, and said,
+"Go now without any tarrying to the yeoman that has charge of my
+horses and bid him bring me Bayard.  I will that my sovereign lord
+should ride back upon him to his camp; better horse he could not
+have."  So the yeoman brought Bayard, and the King mounted upon him
+and rode him to his camp, where the Frenchmen very gladly received
+him.
+
+The King bade a squire take Bayard back to Montalban, whom, when
+Reynaud saw, he said to Roland and the other Barons, "My good lords,
+I know that the King is displeased with you for your love of me.  Now
+therefore depart and make your peace with him.  As for me, if I have
+aught against you, I forgive it with all my heart."
+
+When the Duke Naymes heard these words, he would have kneeled to
+Reynaud, but this good knight would not suffer it.  Then said the
+Duke, "Surely it cannot but be that the King's heart will be softened
+when he shall hear how nobly Reynaud has borne himself in this
+matter."  "You say well," said the other Barons.
+
+Then there were brought from the stables Roland's horse and the
+horses of the others.  When they were now mounted there came forth
+from the palace the Lady Clare, and said to them, "My lords, I do
+entreat you to make peace, if by any means it may be done, between
+the King and my husband, for indeed he bears a large heart, as you
+very well know."  And the Duke Naymes answered, "Lady, we will do it
+if it may be."  So he and his fellows took their leave of Reynaud and
+the Lady Clare with much sorrow, and rode to the King's camp.
+
+The Barons made intercession to the King that he would accord peace
+to Reynaud, but he would not hear, but rather was more inflamed with
+anger than before against him and his kinsmen.  First, he bade his
+men make an assault upon the castle.  This they did with great zeal,
+bringing engines wherewith to cast stones and darts against it, and
+setting ladders against the walls by which they climbed up to the
+highest parts.  But all these things availed nothing, but rather
+turned to the damage of the King's men, of whom many were wounded and
+slain.
+
+When the King perceived that he could not prevail in this way he bade
+his men cease from assaulting the castle, saying, "If I cannot take
+the hold of these villains by force I will take it by hunger."  He
+set therefore at every gate two hundred knights, who suffered no man
+to go out or enter in.
+
+After a while there came to be a great famine in Montalban, so that a
+man could not buy food for silver or gold, and not a few perished
+with hunger.
+
+When knowledge of these things came to the King's ears he rejoiced
+greatly, saying to his Barons, "This time, methinks, Reynaud shall
+not escape me.  By St. Denis, I will hang him, and drag the false
+Richard at a horse's tail, and deal with Alard and Guichard in the
+same way."
+
+But Roland and Ogier and the Duke Naymes were very sorry, and made
+supplication to the King, but he hardened his heart against them.
+
+In the castle the famine was so sore that Reynaud and his people
+could scarcely keep life in them.  Then the Lady Clare said to her
+husband, "We have more than a hundred horses in the stables, let us,
+therefore, cause one of them to be slain, that you and I and the
+children may have a morsel of meat, for indeed we have not had aught
+for these three days past."  And when she had so spoken she fell down
+in a swoon at her husband's feet.
+
+Then Reynaud went to the stables, and choosing one of the horses,
+commanded that it should be killed and dressed for food, and this was
+done, but it was a little thing among so many.  And so they did till
+all the horses were eaten, save four, that is to say Bayard, and one
+horse of each of the brethren.
+
+At the last it came to this, that there was nothing left to eat but
+these four horses only.  But Richard said, "My horse you shall not
+have, no, not though we die all of us.  Verily we had not been
+brought to this pass but for our folly when we had the King in our
+hands and suffered him to go free."  When the boy Aymon, that was son
+to Reynaud, heard this, he said, "What profits it, uncle, to speak of
+that which is past and gone?  Besides this I do not doubt that the
+kindness which my father showed to the King will turn some day to his
+profit."
+
+When Richard heard the boy speak so wisely he took him in his arms
+and kissed him, weeping the while, and said to Reynaud, "Let my horse
+be killed and given for meat to the Lady Clare and to the young boys
+my nephews, and to others that have need."  And so it was done.
+
+After a few days it came to this, that Bayard only of all the horses
+was left alive.  And when the brethren would have had him also killed
+for food, Reynaud withstood them, saying that he would sooner die
+than that his horse should be killed.  Yet when the Lady Clare
+besought him, and his children also, he yielded to them, saying that
+the horse should die.  So he went to the stable, that he might do
+this deed himself.  Yet when he looked upon Bayard, and had called to
+mind how many times the noble beast had saved his life, he repented
+him of his purpose.  Then he gave him a handful of hay, for indeed
+there was nothing else that he could give, and went back to the Lady
+Clare and his brethren and said, "Endure till nightfall and you shall
+have meat.  This I promise you," for he had a purpose in his heart.
+
+Then he saddled Bayard, and came stealthily to his father's tent,
+that was in the King's camp, for he knew well where it was.
+
+When Reynaud saw the Duke Aymon he said to him, "For pity's sake, my
+father, give me food, for my wife and my children and my brothers and
+all my people are dying of hunger.  As I live there is but this horse
+Bayard that is left to us."  But the Duke answered, "I have sworn an
+oath to the King that I will not give you any help by food or
+otherwise."
+
+Reynaud said again, "My father, have pity upon your own flesh, for
+such we are.  The King does us great wrong when he persecutes us in
+this fashion."
+
+When the Duke heard these words he well-nigh fell into a swoon for
+pity.  After a while he said, "You say truly that the King does you
+wrong.  Now, therefore, light off your horse and go into the tent,
+and take whatsoever you can find, nor shall any man say you nay; but
+for my oath's sake, I may not give you aught."  So Reynaud went into
+the tent, and took such things as he could find and laid them on the
+back of Bayard, and carried them to Montalban.  That night they ate
+their meat in the castle with much gladness of heart.
+
+The next day the Duke Aymon called his steward and said to him, "Take
+now the three engines that the King commanded me to make for
+assailing the castle, and fill them, not with stones, but with flesh,
+both salt and fresh, and with loaves of bread, and with other
+victuals, and cause that they discharge these things into the
+castle."  And the steward did as the Duke commanded him.
+
+When the King heard what the Duke Aymon had done he was very angry,
+and sent for him to his tent.  And when the Duke came he said to him,
+"How are you so bold that you feed my mortal enemies.  Verily you
+shall lose your head for it."  The Duke answered, "Sire, if you
+should burn me by fire yet will I not fail my children.  They are no
+thieves or murderers, or traitors, but as good and true knights as
+are in all the world."
+
+When the King heard the Duke speak in this sort, he made as if he
+would have struck him.  But the Duke Naymes stood forth and said,
+"Sire, I would counsel you to send the Duke to his house.  You cannot
+look for him to be with you in this matter, that he should see his
+children die before his eyes."  Then the King said to the Duke Aymon,
+"Get you out of my camp forthwith, for you have done me more harm
+than can well be told."  And the Duke answered, "I will do your
+bidding willingly."  But before he went, he said to the Peers: "My
+lords, I commend my children to you.  See, I pray you, that they come
+to no harm."
+
+The King commanded that all the engines of war should be broken, for
+he feared lest others also of the Barons should throw victuals into
+the castle.  So Reynaud and his men had peace, for no man made
+assault upon the castle.  But after certain days, the provisions
+being all consumed, the famine was as sore as it had been at the
+first.
+
+Alard said, "My brother, we cannot live longer without meat."  Then
+Reynaud took a sword in his hand and went to the stable, having it in
+his heart to slay his horse.  And when Bayard saw him, for he had not
+come thither for many days, he made good cheer.  Then Reynaud said,
+"I were cruel indeed if I did thee harm, good beast that thou art."
+But Yonnet, who was his younger son, said, "Father, do you chose that
+my mother and my brother should die, and Bayard live?"
+
+Then Reynaud was much troubled, doubting what he should do.  Then he
+bethought him of a thing that he might do.  He called for a basin,
+and took blood from the horse, and this being mixed with other things
+of which they had a little he prepared a mess, by which the Lady
+Clare and the children were a little sustained.  This he did for four
+days, but on the fifth day the horse was grown so feeble that there
+came no blood from him at all.  And now it seemed as if all hope were
+gone.
+
+Reynaud and his kindred and his house being in these straits, there
+came an old man who would speak with him.  "Sir," said he, "you have
+done as well as could have been done by any man in keeping this
+castle, but now you can do no more.  But listen to me.  I was at the
+building of this place many years ago, when I was but a young child.
+And I mind me that the lord that builded it made a secret way by
+which a man might escape if he was so minded.  This way I will show
+you, and you can depart from this place by it without danger."
+
+[Illustration: REYNAUD AND BAYARD.]
+
+Reynaud was right glad to hear this thing so that he forgot his
+hunger.  Then he took his horse, which, indeed, could scarce stand
+for feebleness, and all the folk that were left in the castle; and
+they entered the secret way that the old man showed them.  When they
+had gone a part of the way, Reynaud saw that they had not with them
+King John of Gascony.  He said, "We have done ill to leave King John.
+It would be shame to us were he to die like a starving wolf that has
+fallen into a pit."  So he went back and brought him.  The others had
+small pleasure to see him, for even the Lady Clare, that was his
+sister, spake sharply to him saying, "Brother, you have done me such
+damage that you well deserved to die."  But Reynaud said, "I have
+sworn homage to the King, and I must needs save him."  And when the
+others heard these words, they confessed that Reynaud's thoughts were
+more worthy of a Christian man than theirs.
+
+So having gone along the secret way for a while, they came to the
+end, and having issued forth found that they were in the Wood of the
+Serpent.  Many things they suffered as they went, yet for hope's sake
+and by help of such wild fruits as they gathered on the way they bear
+up.  And so with much toil and trouble they came to Ardennes, and
+were received with much gladness.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+HOW PEACE WAS MADE
+
+It happened about seven days after these things that the King rode by
+the castle, for he would fain know how the besieged fared.  When he
+could see no man on the walls, he was not a little astonished, and
+going back straightway to the camp called his Barons together and
+told them of this matter.
+
+The Duke Naymes said, "We must find out what has overtaken these
+people; let us feign to make an assault."  So they feigned to make an
+assault, but no man came forth to defend the castle.  Then the King
+said: "They are all dead of hunger," and he commanded that a long
+ladder should be set against the walls.  By this certain of the Peers
+mounted, Roland being first of all, and after him Ogier the Dane and
+Oliver.  But finding no man they descended on the other side and
+opened the gates that the King might come in.
+
+So the King came in; but when he saw neither man, woman, or child in
+the whole place he was much astonished.  And as he searched he found
+the secret way, which when he had seen he cried, "This has that false
+knave Mawgis done.  Verily he will break my very heart for anger."
+But the Duke Naymes answered, "Not so, my lord; this way has been
+made many years."
+
+Then by commandment of the King, Roland and a company of men went by
+the secret way till he came to the Wood of the Serpent.  Nor were
+there wanting signs that many people had passed that way.  So he
+returned to the castle and told what he had seen to the King, and the
+King with his host tarried awhile in Montalban.
+
+A messenger came to the King, with tidings of the brethren.  He said
+that he had seen them keeping a great court at the city of Ardennes,
+and that they had much treasure with them, and a great company.
+
+When the King heard this he swore by St. Denys that he would not rest
+in his bed till he had besieged Reynaud and his company.  So he
+commanded his Barons that they should make ready their baggage and
+march with all the haste they could on to Ardennes, and this they did.
+
+When Reynaud was aware of their coming he swore a great oath that he
+would not suffer himself to be besieged.  "Rather," said he, "would I
+fight with the King in the open field; verily, if by chance he should
+come into my hands I would not have pity on him as I did in past
+time."  "Now, my brother," said Richard, "you speak as a man; if it
+come to fighting I will not fail of my duty."  And Guichard and Alard
+said the same.
+
+Then Reynaud ordered his host in a very skilful fashion, and mounting
+on Bayard rode towards the van of the King's army.  When the King saw
+him coming, he grew so mad with rage that he was ready to fight with
+him, man to man.  When the Duke Naymes perceived this, he said,
+"Sire, what mean you to do?  It were folly to fight with these men.
+Rather make peace with them.  For whether we prevail or they, there
+were a grievous loss of brave men, such as shall never be recovered."
+"Have done with such counsel," said the King, "I had rather be torn
+in sunder than make peace with these villains.  Speak to me,
+therefore, no longer on this matter, but do you bear the Oriflamme of
+France as becomes a noble knight."  "That will I do," said the Duke.
+"Verily, there is no man so old but that he will get hot in battle."
+
+Then the hosts joined in battle, and the fight grew fiercer and
+fiercer.  First Reynaud and the brethren drave back the King's hosts.
+With his first blow Reynaud clave a knight's head to the teeth, and
+with his sword shore the head of another clean from his neck.  Then
+with a loud voice he cried, "Ardennes," and the courage of his men
+waxed so high that the King's men could in no wise stand against them.
+
+When the King saw this he charged with all his might against his
+adversaries, slaying a knight at each blow.  And when his spear was
+broken, he drew his sword, and did therewith marvellous deeds of
+arms.  Never did he bear himself more valiantly than he did that day.
+
+When Roland saw how his uncle fought in the very front of the battle,
+he was greatly afraid lest some mischance should befall him.
+Wherefore, spurring his horse, he made all haste to help him.  The
+rest of the Twelve Peers did the same, and the King's host was stayed
+up against Reynaud's men.  From prime to noon the battle was so equal
+that no man could say whether this side or that prevailed.  But when
+the sun began to move to its setting, Reynaud's men began to give
+way, being fewer in number and spent with fighting.  Then Reynaud
+said to him that bear his standard, "It is time to rest, carry the
+standard homeward."
+
+When the King perceived this, he cried with a loud voice, "They fly;
+follow them with all speed; suffer them not to escape."  This thing
+was the cause of no small damage; for Reynaud and his brothers and
+the knights that were of his side turned upon them that followed and
+slew many, and took prisoner Richard, Duke of Normandy.  Him they
+carried into Ardennes and shut to the gates.
+
+Roland went to the King and said, "The brethren have taken Duke
+Richard; lest, therefore, he come to any harm, offer conditions of
+peace.  Remember, Sire, that you have now made war upon the sons of
+Aymon for fifteen years.  Truly, had you done as much against the
+Saracens as you have done against them, you had brought them by this
+time under the Christian faith."
+
+The King said, "Speak no more of peace; it shall not be save on
+conditions that you know.  As for the Duke Richard they will not dare
+to harm him."
+
+So the King laid siege against the city, and brought up great engines
+of war against it, expecting that Reynaud would deliver it into his
+hands, for he thought that by this time his strength must be
+well-nigh spent.  But when many days had gone by, and there came no
+messenger from the town, he began to doubt within himself.  So he
+called his lords together, and said to them, "It troubles me that we
+have no tidings of Duke Richard."  Roland answered, "Sire, I marvel
+that you do not perceive the truth.  The Duke Richard we shall never
+see again, unless you make peace with Reynaud and his brethren."
+
+When the King had considered the matter awhile, knowing that Roland
+had spoken truth, he said, "Go now, three of you, to wit, Duke
+Naymes, Ogier the Dane, and Roland, with olive branches in your
+hands, and say to him, 'Thus saith the King, deliver to me Mawgis
+into my hands, and I will give you peace; you and your brothers shall
+have your lands again, and your two sons I will receive at my court,
+and I will make them knights with my own hands.'"
+
+The three Barons went, with olive branches in their hands, and
+delivered the King's message to Reynaud.  He answered, "My lords, I
+am glad with all my heart to see you; nevertheless I marvel much at
+the King's message.  He demands that I shall give over Mawgis to him.
+Now all the world knows that I have not Mawgis to give or not to
+give.  Truly I have lost him, and better friend or kinsman never was,
+by the King's cruelty and hardness of heart.  Return therefore to the
+King and say, 'Mawgis I have not to give, nor would I give him if I
+had.  As for the Duke Richard, I will hang him to-morrow over the
+chief gate at Ardennes.'  And you, come no more on such an errand to
+me.  I promise you that if any man come hereafter with such a message
+from the King, I will smite off his head."
+
+So the three Barons returned to the King, and told him the words of
+Reynaud.  And Roland said, "Sire, take it not ill, if I tell you that
+for your pride you will cause the Duke Richard to die.  These sons of
+Aymon are the best knights in all the world, and they have asked
+peace of you, not once only but many times, and you have hardened
+your heart against them."  The other Peers spake to the same intent.
+But the King would not listen to them.  "Not so," said he, "they will
+not dare to hurt the Duke; verily, if they do such a deed I will hang
+them all with my own hand."
+
+The next day Reynaud said to his brothers, "It is manifest that the
+King will not give us peace.  I am resolved, therefore, to do him all
+the harm I can, and first I will hang the Duke Richard before his
+eyes and the eyes of all his host."
+
+So Reynaud caused that a gallows should be set up over the chief gate
+of Ardennes.  When this was done he sent ten yeomen to fetch the
+Duke.  Now the Duke sat in his chamber playing chess with Yonnet,
+that was son to Reynaud.  One of the yeomen said to him, "Sir Duke,
+come forth, for Reynaud has commanded that you be hanged forthwith."
+When the Duke heard him speak in this fashion, he disdained to make
+any answer, but said to Yonnet, "Play you quickly, for it is time
+that we go to dinner."  When the yeomen saw that he paid no heed to
+them, they laid hands on him, one on each side, saying, "Rise up, Sir
+Duke, for you are to be hanged in despite of the King."  When the
+Duke perceived that the men had hold of him, having one of the chess
+pieces in his hand, to wit, the Queen, with which he was about to
+give mate to Yonnet, he drew back his arm and gave one of the men
+such a buffet on the head as killed him outright.  After this he took
+a rook from the board, and gave another yeoman such a stroke that his
+skull was broken; to a third he dealt a great blow with his fist and
+slew him.  The others seeing how their fellows had fared, fled
+forthwith out of the chamber.  Then the Duke said to Yonnet, "My
+child, you are fairly mated; as for these fellows they are drunken, I
+take it, to use me in such a fashion; but they have had their
+deserts," and he called to a servant that was there, saying, "Cast
+now these churls out of the window," and the man cast them out,
+fearing much, lest he should be dealt with in the same way.
+
+When Reynaud and his brethren heard what the Duke had done, they went
+to his chamber in great wrath, and said, "Why have you slain my
+yeomen?"  The Duke answered, "There came to my chamber ten churls
+saying that you had given commandment that I should be hanged, a
+thing which I could in no wise believe.  For this cause I drave them
+out of my chamber, slaying some of them--I know not how many.  Now if
+I have done amiss you can do to me what you will.  But I judge the
+matter thus, that if these churls suffered at my hand the blame lies
+rather at the door of them that sent them on this errand."
+
+Reynaud said in great wrath, "Believe it or no, as you will, but I am
+steadfastly purposed to have you hanged before the eyes of the King
+and his army."  And he caused the Duke to be bound.
+
+When the Duke perceived that Reynaud was truly purposed to deal with
+him in this fashion, he said, "Suffer me now to send a messenger to
+the King."  "You shall send him," said Reynaud.  So the Duke sent a
+messenger bearing two messages, to the King one, and another to the
+Peers.  To the King he said, "I pray you, Sir, if you ever loved me,
+to make peace with Reynaud.  If he have done aught amiss against you
+I will be his surety, and will answer for him that he shall make
+amends."  To the Peers he said, "Show now to the King that if he
+suffer me thus to die, he shall do himself such dishonour as shall
+never be done away."
+
+When these messages were delivered (but the King knew not that
+Richard had sent to the Peers) there was great debate, for the King
+hardened his heart as he had done before, and the Peers were urgent
+with him that he should turn from his anger.  And the strife between
+them waxed so hot that the Peers departed from the King, taking their
+men with them, so that day the King's host was made the smaller by
+forty thousand men.
+
+When the messenger came back with these tidings, how that the King
+was still hardened but that the Peers had departed from him, Reynaud
+was greatly moved, and turning to Duke Richard he said, "I pray you,
+my good cousin, pardon me for the great shame that I have done you."
+The Duke answered, "I blame you not.  Rather do I blame the King for
+his cruelty and hardness of heart."  Then Reynaud caused him to be
+unbound, and said, "Stand here by me, my cousin, and we will see what
+the King will do."
+
+And now the King was at last brought to a better mind, for he said to
+a knight that waited on him, "Ride now as fast as you may, and when
+you come to the Peers tell them that I will listen to their counsel."
+So the knight rode with all speed, and when he had overtaken the
+Peers he delivered to them the King's message.  And they came back to
+the camp.
+
+The King said, "Go now to Reynaud and say to him, 'The King gives you
+peace on these conditions.  You shall go in pilgrim's garb to the
+Holy Land, and on foot, begging your bread.  You shall leave me your
+horse Bayard.  On the other hand, I will restore to your brothers all
+their lands.'"
+
+So the Duke Naymes went to Ardennes and told to Reynaud the King's
+conditions.  Reynaud answered, "I accept them with my whole heart."
+Then he went to the stable, and took Bayard from his stall, and
+delivered him to the Duke Naymes.  This done he took his banner, and
+raised it on the wall of the castle to be a token of peace.  After
+this he went to his chamber, and, putting off his rich apparel, clad
+himself in poor garments, and took a pilgrim's staff in his hand, and
+so made ready to depart.  But first he took leave of his wife, the
+Lady Clare.  So sad at heart was she that she fell down at his feet
+like to one dead.  When she had come to herself he said, "Take not
+this thing so much to heart.  As for me I have such joy at the making
+of peace that the time of my banishment seems to be past already.
+Now may God have you in His keeping!"  And he kissed her right
+tenderly, and went his way.
+
+When the Lady Clare saw him go she fell again into a swoon, and this
+so sore that her gentlewomen deemed that she was dead.  When she
+revived she said, "O Reynaud, my lord, there was never husband so
+good as you.  Well I know that I shall never see you again."  Then
+she went to her chamber, and took off her rich garments and clad
+herself poorly, saying, "This will I wear till my lord shall come
+again in peace."
+
+As for Reynaud, his brethren and Duke Richard of Normandy and many
+others went with him a long way.  But he said after a while, "My
+friends, you make my going the harder to me; I were better alone.
+Return now to Ardennes and comfort my wife and my children."
+
+So they took leave of him with many tears.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+OF REYNAUD'S END
+
+It must now be told in a few words what Reynaud did in the Holy Land,
+and what befell him afterwards.
+
+First, then, when he was come to the city of Constantinople, he
+lighted by chance on his cousin Mawgis, who was lying sick in a
+certain house.  So much did Mawgis rejoice to see Reynaud, that he
+was straightway made whole of the sickness that he had.  Then the two
+went on together, and coming to Jerusalem, did excellent service for
+the true faith, delivering the city out of the hand of the Sultan of
+Persia, who had taken it by treachery.
+
+This done the two departed, for they would not take any reward, and
+came to Rome.  There they confessed their sins to the Pope, and
+having received absolution, made their way with all the speed they
+could to the city of Ardennes, where the brethren and all the people
+received them gladly.
+
+Reynaud said, "I marvel much that I see not here either my wife or my
+children."  Richard answered, "Your sons are at Montalban in all
+health and prosperity."  "That is well," said Reynaud, but perceiving
+that his brethren were troubled, he bade them tell him the truth, for
+"I see," said he, "that you have heavy tidings."  Then said Alard,
+"We may not hide from you that your wife, the Lady Clare, is dead.
+For when you left, she sorrowed continually, weeping both by day and
+by night, and so wasted away that she died."
+
+Reynaud said, "Take me now to the place where you buried her."  So
+they took him to the church wherein was her sepulchre.  As he stood
+there weeping, there came to him his children, for they had been
+brought from Montalban, and kneeled down before him.  And Reynaud
+kissed them and said, "See that you be good men, for I fear that I
+shall not be long with you."
+
+Ten days afterwards he and his two sons and Mawgis departed from
+Ardennes, and came to Montalban.  As for Mawgis, he returned to the
+Hermitage where he had dwelt at the first, and died there after seven
+years, being much honoured as a holy man.
+
+Not long after the Duke Aymon died, bequeathing much wealth to his
+children.  All this Reynaud divided among his brethren, keeping for
+himself the castle of Montalban, and this for a time only, for he was
+resolved to give up all worldly things.
+
+In Montalban, therefore, he dwelt awhile, with his two sons, teaching
+them and training them in all honourable and godly ways.  When he saw
+that they were each instructed in arms and in all other things that a
+good knight should know, he bade his steward furnish them with goodly
+clothing and arms and all other things needful.  This done, he
+charged them that they should bear themselves honourably.  "Be
+courteous," he said, "to all ladies; reverence those above you; be
+ready to help those that are in need; love your neighbour; so shall
+you have praise of all men."  And when he had said these words, he
+bade them farewell, not without tears.
+
+How these two fared at the King's Court, how they were in great
+favour with the King, and how they overcame their enemies--for the
+children of a certain lord that had hated their father sought to do
+them an injury--cannot be told in this place.  Let it suffice to say
+that they prospered exceedingly.
+
+Now must be told the end of Reynaud.  When he saw that his sons were
+well established in dignity, he departed from Montalban and journeyed
+to the city of Cologne, in which city there was now in course of
+building a very fair church.  He said to the master-mason, "Let me
+now serve the masons with such things as they need."  The
+master-mason said, "Sir, you are more like to a king than a labourer,
+and it shames me to set you to such work."  Reynaud answered, "Say
+not so; I will serve with a good will."  And the man was well content
+to have it so.
+
+After a while, the master-mason said to him, "See you those poor men
+that seek to carry a stone yonder?  Go you and help them, for they
+are but weaklings."  So Reynaud went; he said to the men, "Go and do
+what else is appointed of you, for I will deal with this stone."  So
+he carried the stone to its place, though it were of such a bigness
+that four men could scarcely handle it.  And after this he fetched
+other stones and mortar, and these in such plenty that the masons had
+much ado to deal with them.
+
+When it was evening the masons came to be paid, and each man's wage
+was five pennies.  But when the master-mason saw Reynaud, he said,
+"You shall have twenty pence, for you have laboured so as I have
+never seen any man labour.  And you shall have as much every day."
+"Nay," answered Reynaud, "give me one penny only, that I may have
+wherewithal to keep me, for I work not for wages, but for the love of
+my God."
+
+Then Reynaud found a lodging in the town, and bought for himself one
+pennyworth of bread, and of this and some water he made his supper.
+The next day he went to his work, and this he did many days, taking
+for his wage but one penny only.
+
+But the other masons grew jealous of him, because that he was much
+better and stronger than they.  So they laid a plot against him, and
+on a certain day when he slept they slew him, and having put his body
+into a sack, they cast it into the river.
+
+Of the marvellous things that happened in respect of this said
+Reynaud, they that will may read elsewhere.  Let it suffice to say in
+this place that the body was found after certain days and was
+honourably buried in the church of Cologne, and that year by year a
+feast is held in the memory of the Lord Reynaud, for indeed he was a
+very perfect, gentle knight.
+
+And now it remains only to tell of the horse Bayard that was
+delivered, as has been said, to the King.  When the host, returning
+to Paris, came to the river Meuse, a millstone was tied about his
+neck, and he was cast into the river.  Some have said that this was
+done by command of the King; but this is not a thing to be believed.
+In any case, the good horse was not harmed, for he brake with his
+feet the stone from off his neck, and swimming to the shore, escaped
+to the forest of Ardennes, where he lived for many years, but
+suffered neither man nor woman to come near him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+HOW RALPH ENTERTAINED THE KING
+
+On the feast of St. Thomas, which is four days before Yule, King
+Charles rode out of the city of Paris with a great company of princes
+and nobles.  As they rode across the moor a great tempest from the
+east fell upon them.  So fierce was the wind and so heavy the rain,
+that they were scattered over the country, nor could they tell, the
+day being well nigh as dark as night, whither they were going.  Of
+what befell the rest of the company there is no need to tell; this
+tale concerns King Charles only.
+
+As he rode in sore plight, not knowing where he might find shelter,
+he was aware of a churl, who was leading a mare carrying two great
+panniers.  "Now tell me your name," said the King.  "They call me
+Ralph the Charcoal-burner," said the man.  "I live in these parts--my
+house is seven miles hence--and I earn my bread with no little toil,
+selling coals to such as need them."  "Friend," said the King, "I
+mean you no ill, for I judge you to be an honest man."  "Judge as you
+will," answered Ralph, "I care not."  "I am in sore need of a
+friend," said the King; "for both my horse and I are ready to perish,
+the storm is so fierce.  Tell me then where I can find shelter."
+"Shelter!" said Ralph, "I know of none, save in my own cottage, and
+that is far hence in the forest.  But to that you are welcome, if you
+care to come with me."
+
+The King was right glad to hear these words.  "That is well," said
+he, "God reward you for your goodness."  "Nay," answered the churl,
+"keep your thanks till they have been earned.  As yet you have had
+from me nothing, neither fire, nor meat, nor dinner, nor
+resting-place.  To-morrow when you go you can thank me, if you be so
+minded, with better reason.  To praise first, and, may be, to blame
+afterwards--that is contrary to sense."  "So shall it be," said the
+King.  So they went their way, talking as they went.
+
+When they were come to the house Ralph called with a loud voice to
+his wife, "Are you within, dame?  Come out, open the door without
+delay.  My guest and I are shivering with cold; such evil weather I
+have never seen."  The good wife, when she heard her master's voice,
+made all haste to the door, knowing that he was a man of a hasty
+temper.  "You are welcome home," said she to Ralph; and to the
+stranger, "You are welcome also."  "Kindle a great fire," said Ralph,
+"and take two capons of the best, that we may have good cheer," and
+he took the King by the hand, and would have him go before him into
+the house.  But the King stood back by the door, and would have the
+charcoal-burner pass in before him.  "That is but poor courtesy,"
+said the man, and took him by the neck and pushed him in.
+
+When they had warmed themselves awhile by the fire, which was blazing
+in right royal fashion, Ralph cried to his wife, "Let us have supper,
+Gillian, as quickly as may be, and of the best, for we have had a
+toilsome day, and may well have a merry night.  Never have I suffered
+worse weather or been so near to losing my way as when I met with
+this stranger here."
+
+In no long time, when they had washed themselves, the supper was
+ready.  "Now, friend," said Ralph, "take the dame by the hand, and
+lead her to the board."  And when the King held back, he cried, "Now
+this is the second time," and smote him suddenly under the ear with
+his right hand, so strongly that he staggered half across the
+chamber, and fell to the ground.  When the King rose, and indeed he
+could scarcely stand, "Now, Gillian," said Ralph, "take him by the
+hand and go to the table as I bid you."  To his guest he said, "Now
+this is the second time that you have been lacking in courtesy, first
+by the door, and then at the table.  Will you not do as you are bid?
+Am not I the master of my own house?"  The King said to himself,
+"These are strange doings.  Never have I been so dealt with in all my
+life."  Nevertheless for peace' sake he did as he was bid, and giving
+his hand to the dame, led her to the table.  So they sat, the
+charcoal-burner on one side of the table, and the King and dame
+Gillian on the other.  Right good cheer they had, fat capons, and
+bread, and wine of the best.  Truly they wanted for nothing.
+
+Said the churl to the King, "Sir, the foresters in this place
+threaten me much about the deer.  They say that I am ever bringing
+down the fattest of the herd.  They will hale me, they say, to Paris,
+and bring me before the King, and make complaint against me.  Say
+what they will, why should I not have enough for myself, aye, and to
+set before a guest?  And now, my friend, spare not; there is enough
+and more."  When they had well eaten, Ralph said to his wife, "Now,
+Gill, send round the cup.  I will drink to my friend, and he shall
+drink to me."  So the dame handed the cup, and the two drank to each
+other.  Then, supper being ended, they sat by the fire, and the
+Charcoal-burner told many merry tales.  When it grew late, he said to
+the King, "Tell me now where you live."  "I live at Court," said he,
+"where I have an office with the Queen."  "And what is your office?"
+"I am gentleman of the Queen's bed-chamber."  "And what is your
+name?"  "My name is Wymond; Wymond of the Wardrobe they call me.  And
+now, if you will come to Court, I can doubtless serve you, for I will
+see that you have a good sale for your fuel."  Said Ralph, "I know
+not where the Court of which you speak may be."  But Charles urged
+him, saying that the King and Queen would be in Paris to spend
+Yuletide together, and that there would be much merrymaking, and that
+without doubt he would sell his fuel to great advantage.  "You seem
+to talk reason," said Ralph, "I will come.  And now let us have
+another cup, and so to bed."  So the collier and the dame led him to
+another chamber, where there was a bed handsomely furnished, and
+closed in with curtains.  When they saw that he was well served and
+had all that he needed, they bade him good-night, and the King
+thanked them for their courtesy.
+
+The next day as soon as it was light, the King rose from the bed and
+dressed himself without help, for, indeed, he had neither valet nor
+squire.  Then his palfrey was brought to him, which when he had
+mounted, he called to Ralph, where he lay, for he would take his
+leave in friendly fashion, as was fitting in one that had had such
+good cheer.  When the churl was roused, he said to the King, "Now
+tarry awhile till this evil weather be ended."  "Nay," answered the
+King, "I must needs to my work and office; Yuletide is now at hand,
+and he that is found wanting will be greatly blamed.  And now call
+thy good wife that I may pay her for the shelter and good cheer that
+I have had."  "Nay," cried Ralph, "that shall never be; to think that
+I should take pay for sheltering one that is of the Court of the King
+Charles!"  "So be it," answered the King; "but at least if you will
+not take pay, come to the Court with a load of fuel as soon as may
+be; I warrant that if you will do so, you will make good profit of
+your goods."  "That will I," answered Ralph.  "I would fain see how
+coals sell at court.  And now tell me your name once more, lest I
+forget it."
+
+Then the King rode away, nor had he travelled long when Roland and
+Oliver, with a thousand men after them, met him.  They had come forth
+to search for him, and right glad were they to find him.  So they
+turned their horses' heads and journeyed back to Paris.  When they
+were near the town, Turpin the Archbishop came forth from the gates
+to meet them with a great company of bishops and priests and others
+giving thanks to God that their lord the King was come again to
+Paris.  And when they had come to Paris, they went to the Church of
+St. Denis, where there was service.  And after service they went to
+the Palace, and kept their Yule feast with much mirth and plenty of
+good things.  For one-and-twenty days did they feast.  Never had such
+a Yuletide been kept in the land of France.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+HOW RALPH WENT TO COURT
+
+The next day, Ralph, having thought much on what he had undertaken,
+loaded his mare, as he was wont to do, with two panniers full of
+coals, and made ready to start on his journey to the court.  "This is
+not of my counsel," said Gillian his wife; "this journey will not be
+to your profit.  Remember the shrewd blow that you dealt him.  Keep
+from the Court, say I."  "Nay, Gill," said the Charcoal-burner, "I
+must have my way.  I promised that I would go, and go I will, whether
+my going be for profit or for harm."  So he loaded the panniers and
+went his way to the Court.
+
+Meanwhile King Charles had not forgotten the matter.  He called
+Roland to him, for, indeed, there was no man whom he trusted more,
+and said to him, "To-morrow morning take your horse and your harness,
+and watch well the road by which we went on the day that I was lost,
+and if you see anyone coming this way, whatever his errand may be,
+bring him with you to this place, and take care that he sees no one
+before he sees me."
+
+Roland wondered much what the King might mean, for it seemed a
+strange thing that on the very day of Yuletide, when a man should
+rest, he should be sent on such an errand.  Nevertheless he took his
+horse and his harness and rode forth early in the morning, and
+watched the roads as he had been commanded.  For a long time he saw
+nothing either far or near; but a little past midday he saw the
+Charcoal-burner come driving his mare before him with two panniers
+filled with coals.  The sight pleased him well; so he rode up to him
+with all the speed that he could.  The man saluted him courteously,
+and Roland, in his turn, also saluted him.  Their greetings ended, he
+said to the man, "Come now to the King; let nothing hinder you."
+"Nay," said Ralph, "I am not so foolish.  This is a jest, Sir Knight,
+and it is ill courtesy for a knight to jest with a common man.  There
+be many men better than I that come and go to Paris, and the King has
+no thought of them, whether it be morning or night.  If you are in
+mind to trick me, I can hold my own, for all that I am ill-clad."
+"This is but foolishness," said Roland, "the King has straightly
+commanded that you should be brought to him."  "Nay," answered Ralph,
+"I am on my way, according to promise made to one Wymond, and to him
+I will go and to none other."  "Have done with your Wymond," cried
+Roland, "I must take you to the King as the King has commanded."
+
+So they wrangled a long time, and still the churl was firmly set that
+he would go to Wymond and to none other.  "And where dwells this
+Wymond of yours?" said Roland.  "He dwells with the Queen at Paris,
+if his tale be true."  "If that be so," answered Roland, "seeing that
+I know well the Queen and her ladies, and you are on your way to
+them, I will trust to your going.  Only you must give me a pledge
+that this is truly your purpose."  "Nay," said the Charcoal-burner,
+"I will pledge you no pledge.  And as for you, get you out of my way,
+or it will be the worse for you."
+
+Roland said to himself, "Now this is but folly to continue any longer
+with this fellow."  And he took his leave of the man full pleasantly.
+But Ralph liked not such ways; for he thought that this knight that
+was so gaily clad had him in scorn.  "Come hither, Sir Knight,
+to-morrow when we can be alone together, you and I; surely you shall
+see how I will deal with you."
+
+Then Roland rode back to the King.  By this time Mass was ended, and
+the King had put on his robes.  "You are well come, Sir Roland," said
+he, "have you done my errand?"  "Sire," answered Sir Roland, "I went
+as you gave me commandment, and watched the ways, but saw no man, but
+one only."  "And who was this one?" asked the King.  "He," said
+Roland, "was but a churl that had with him two panniers of coal."
+"Why did you not bring this said churl to me, as I bid you?  It may
+be you durst not."
+
+Roland saw that the King was wroth, and was not a little glad to go
+forth from his presence.  Going forth he met a porter, "Whither go
+you, lazy loon?" said he.  Said the porter, "There is one at the
+gate, a churl that has a mare and two panniers of coals, and he
+clamours to be let in at the gate."  "Whom does he want?" said
+Roland.  The porter answered, "He asks for one Wymond."  Then Roland
+said, "Go back to your place, porter, and open the gate and bid him
+enter.  But say that it does not lie within your office to go to this
+Wymond, but that he must himself seek him."
+
+So the porter went back to the gate and opened it, saying to the
+Charcoal-burner, "Enter, man; but I have no leisure to seek for this
+Wymond for whom you ask.  You must seek him yourself."  Said Ralph,
+"If you will not seek the man, I must needs do it myself; see you
+then that no harm come to the mare and the coals, and I will look for
+Wymond, for certainly it was he that bade me come hither."
+
+[Illustration: RALPH IN THE PALACE OF CHARLEMAGNE.]
+
+So the Charcoal-burner went his way through the palace asking for
+Wymond.  There was not one that knew the man, or had so much as heard
+the name.  They seemed to Ralph to lack courtesy; nevertheless he
+would not cease from his quest, nor was there any one of whom he
+failed to inquire.  After he had passed through many chambers he came
+to one that was more splendid than all that he had seen before.  It
+was a great hall finely painted and hung about with tapestries, and
+there the King sate at dinner in great state.  On the table were many
+dainties, and there was a store of dishes, both silver and gold, and
+many other adornments.  "Here is royalty enough," cried Ralph.  "If I
+could only have speech with Wymond, I would away, for this methinks
+is no place for a simple man."  And still he went on.  Many sought to
+put him back, for he seemed to press on in an unmannerly fashion; but
+he was a stalwart man that gave as much as he took.
+
+At last, after not a little trouble, he got sight of the King, where
+he sat in state at the table.  "See," he cried, "that is Wymond,
+yonder, the man whom I seek.  Well do I know him, though, indeed, he
+is otherwise clad than when I last saw him.  Now he is in cloth of
+gold.  Truly he must be some greater man than he said.  Alas, that I
+have been wiled hither.  Truly this man has beguiled me."  When the
+King heard this he laughed.
+
+Ralph looked about on the company that sat with the King, for many
+worshipful men were there.  But when he saw the Queen, then he was
+greatly troubled.  "Lady," he said, "I am sorely troubled to see your
+fine attire, so splendid is it.  Now if I can but escape hence this
+day, nothing in the whole world shall bring me hither again."
+
+And now, dinner being over, the King rose from the table; and he told
+before the whole company how he had fared with the Charcoal-burner.
+The churl quaked as he heard the tale.  And he said, "Would I were on
+the moor again this very hour, and the King alone, or any one of his
+knights, be he the bravest and strongest of them all."
+
+Then the lords laughed aloud.  Some, however, were angry, and would
+have had the man hanged.  "What is this churl," said they, "that he
+should so misuse the King?"  But Charles would have none of such
+doings.  "He is a stalwart man, and can strike a hard blow.  Heaven
+forbid that I should harm him.  Rather will I make him a knight."  So
+he dubbed Ralph the Charcoal-burner a knight, and gave him a revenue
+of £300 by the year, and "the next fee in France that shall come into
+my hands, that," said he, "will I give you.  But now you must win
+your spurs."  So the King gave him his armour and arms, and sixty
+squires of good degree to be his company.  And Ralph was in after
+time a very perfect, noble knight, and did good service to the King.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+HOW FIERABRAS DEFIED KING CHARLES
+
+Balan, who was admiral of the Moors in Spain, had a son, Fierabras by
+name, who was the most marvellous giant that ever was born of woman.
+There was no man that could be matched with him for height, and
+bigness of limb, and strength of body.  This Fierabras was King of
+Alexandria, and ruled the whole land of Babylon from the Red Sea
+eastwards.  Russia also he possessed, and Cologne; he was lord,
+moreover, of Jerusalem, and had possession of the Sepulchre of our
+Lord.  It happened on a certain day that this man came riding
+furiously to the camp where King Charles lay with his army, and asked
+that some one should come forth and fight with him.  No man answering
+him or coming forth, he fell into a great rage and sware by his god
+Mahomet that he would not depart from the place till he should have
+done battle with some Christian man; but still no one came forth to
+him.  Then he cried with a very loud and terrible voice, "King of
+Paris, send out to me your strongest and bravest knight, be he
+Roland, or Oliver, or Thierry, or Ogier the Dane, that he may fight
+with me.  Nay, and if you will send out against me six or seven of
+your strongest knights, I swear by my god Mahomet that I will not
+refuse to fight with them all.  But if you will not send out any man,
+then I will assuredly assail your camp before nightfall this very
+day, and strike off your head, and lead away Roland and Oliver as
+prisoners.  You have come into this my land without cause, and verily
+you shall depart without honour."
+
+When he had thus spoken he lay down under a tree, and having tied his
+horse to one of the boughs, took off his armour.  This done, he cried
+to the King, "Send now Roland or Oliver to fight with me.  And if
+these dare not come alone then let two others come together with
+them; and if the four be afraid let six come.  Ten kings have I slain
+already in single combat; there was not one of them, for all that
+they were mighty men of valour, that could stand against me."
+
+When King Charles heard these threatenings and challenges he said to
+Richard of Normandy, "Who is this knight that speaks so boldly?"
+
+Duke Richard answered, "This, my lord King, is the strongest of all
+men born of women, and he is persuaded that there is no king in the
+whole world that is a match for him."
+
+"For all that," said the king, "I will find one of my knights that
+shall encounter him.  But tell me his name."
+
+"His name," answered Duke Richard, "is Fierabras.  He is an infidel,
+and has done much harm to Christian men.  For he slew our lord the
+Pope, and hanged many holy men and women, and to this day he holds
+possession of the holy Sepulchre of our Lord."
+
+"I am the more firmly resolved," said the King, "hearing what you
+say, that one of my knights shall meet him."  Thereupon he turned to
+Roland and said, "I pray you, dear nephew, go forth and meet this
+Turk in battle."
+
+But Roland answered him, "Not so, fair uncle; why should I do your
+bidding in this matter?  Do you bear in mind what happened but
+yesterday, when we were so near to being taken by the heathen, how
+they fell upon us with fifty thousand men and how we the younger
+knights bore the burden and brunt of the day and suffered many
+grievous wounds, so that Oliver my comrade was brought near to death,
+and indeed, but for your help, we had all perished?  And do you
+remember further how last night, when we were resting in our tents,
+you, being full of wine, declared stoutly that your old knights would
+have borne themselves better than we of the younger sort had done?
+Now it shall be seen how these said old knights shall stand up
+against this heathen man, for indeed of the younger no one will go
+forth against him."
+
+When the King heard this he smote Roland his nephew in the face with
+his gauntlet so sharply that the blood gushed out abundantly.
+Thereupon Roland drew his sword and would have smitten his uncle had
+he not been held by the bystanders.  And the King cried, "Now, this
+is a most monstrous thing for any man, much more a kinsman.  Seize
+him, for he shall die the death for this wickedness."  But when the
+courtiers made as if to lay hands upon him Roland cried, "Now, if any
+man touch me I will cleave his head in two."  Nor did any man dare to
+come near him.  But Ogier the Dane said, "Now, Roland, you did ill to
+threaten your uncle, whom you are bound to honour above all men."
+"It is true," answered Roland.  "I was greatly provoked; nevertheless
+I repent of my deed."
+
+The King said to the Peers of France, "I am much troubled in this
+matter.  First Roland my nephew, that should have been zealous to
+help me, threatens to slay me, and then there is no man that is
+willing to do battle with this pagan."
+
+"Take courage, my lord King," said the Duke Naymes, "some one will be
+found to do you this service."  But the King refused to be comforted.
+
+Now Oliver lay sick in bed, for he had been sorely wounded in battle.
+But when he heard how the King and Roland had fallen out, and how
+Fierabras had defied the King and his army, and no man had gone forth
+to meet him, he straightway rose from his bed and began to stretch
+and try himself to see whether by any means he could bear his armour.
+In so doing he made his wounds bleed afresh.  But when he had bound
+them again as best he could, he said to Garin his squire, "Come,
+bring me my arms, for I will go out and meet this pagan."  Said Garin
+the squire, "Now, my lord Oliver, have pity on yourself.  You will
+compass your own death."  Oliver answered, "Do my bidding, for this
+is an occasion of honour that no man should miss."  So Oliver put on
+his armour, Garin helping him.  This done, he took his sword,
+Hautclere by name, which he loved above all things.  Then they
+brought him Ferraunt his horse, ready saddled and bridled.  And
+Oliver leapt lightly into the saddle without so much as touching it,
+and put his shield into place, and took a spear very long and sharply
+pointed.  Then he struck his horse with his spurs, and Ferraunt leapt
+up under him.  It was a noble sight to see, so gallant was the knight
+and so brave the steed.
+
+Oliver rode up to the King's tent and saluted him, saying, "My lord,
+I have served you faithfully for these three years past without
+reward or wages.  I pray you, therefore, that you give me this day
+the thing I shall desire of you."  The King answered, "Most noble
+Earl, I will do this with a good will.  There is not in this land of
+France a city or town or castle that I will not give you at your
+desire."  But Oliver said, "My lord King, I ask neither towns nor
+castles, but only this--that you suffer me to do battle with this
+pagan."
+
+When the other knights heard this they were not a little shamed that
+a wounded man should take up the challenge, while they themselves
+held back.  "What is this," they said, "that Oliver, who was hurt
+well-nigh to death, would now go forth to battle!"  As for the King,
+he said, "Now, Oliver, you have surely lost your wits.  You know that
+you have been sorely wounded, and yet you will run into a worse
+danger.  Go back to your bed and rest; assuredly I will not suffer
+you to do battle with this pagan."
+
+Then Ganelon, who was afterwards the traitor, rose up in his place
+and said, "Sir, this is against the custom of France that you should
+deny Oliver his request."  The King was very angry and said,
+"Ganelon, you are not well disposed in this matter.  If this be as
+you say, then Oliver shall fight with this pagan, and if he fight,
+then he can hardly escape death.  But mark you this: I swear by my
+faith that if he be slain or taken in this battle, then not all the
+gold in the world can save you from a shameful death; aye, and all
+your house shall perish with you."
+
+"Sir King," said Ganelon, "may God and Our Lady keep me!" but to
+himself he said secretly, "Now God forbid that Oliver should come
+back safe.  Rather may this pagan smite off his head!"  But when King
+Charles saw that he could not hinder Oliver from doing battle with
+Fierabras, he said, "Now may God be with you, and help you, and bring
+you back with joy!" and he reached to him his glove, which Oliver
+took with much pleasantness and humility.
+
+But Reyner, that was father to Oliver, when he saw his son ready to
+go forth, came to the King, and knelt down at his feet, and cried in
+sore trouble, "Now, my lord King, have pity on my son and me.  He is
+young and presumptuous, full of pride and ambition, but so sorely
+wounded that he cannot fight; forbid him, therefore, to go forth."
+But the King said to Reyner, "What I have given I may not withdraw."
+Then Oliver stood up and spake with a loud voice, "Sir King and all
+you lords of France, if I have offended any man in word or deed, I
+pray him to forgive me."  There was not a man but wept to hear these
+words.  The King himself wept, and commended him to the keeping of
+God.
+
+Oliver rode forth and came to the tree where Fierabras lay at ease
+and unarmed.  The giant did not so much as look at him, but turned
+away his head, for he despised Oliver as being but little of stature
+in comparison with himself.  Oliver said to him, "Awake, you have
+called me many times this day; lo! now I have come.  And first tell
+me your name."  Fierabras answered him, "I am Fierabras, of
+Alexandria.  It was I that destroyed the city of Rome and slew the
+Pope, and carried away the holy things.  And Jerusalem is mine, and
+the place where, as you say, your God is buried."
+
+Oliver said, "If these things are true, it is time that you should
+suffer due punishment for your misdeeds.  But enough of talking.
+Make ready and arm yourself, or else, by the God in whom I believe, I
+will smite you where you lie!"  When Fierabras heard him speak so
+fiercely, he began to laugh, and said, "You are a bold talker, but
+first tell me who you are, and of what rank."  Oliver answered,
+"Before night come, pagan, you shall know full well who I am.  But
+now hear this: my lord the King has sent this message by my mouth:
+'Renounce Mahomet your God, and all other idols, and believe in the
+true God that made heaven and earth and all that is therein.
+Meanwhile take your choice of two things: either depart out of this
+country, taking nothing with you, or stand forth and fight with me.'"
+
+Fierabras said, "Fellow, you are not able to meet me, even were I
+without arms.  But tell me now thy name and lineage."  Oliver
+answered, "My name is Garin, and I am a poor knight; King Charles has
+sent me to do battle with you; make ready, therefore, for battle."
+But Fierabras would not consent.  "Now tell me, Sir Garin," said he,
+"why Roland, or Oliver, or Ogier the Dane, who are all, men say, of
+high renown, have not come out against me."  "They have not come,"
+answered Oliver, "because they think too meanly of you."
+
+This he said with such vehemence that his wounds opened again.  When
+Fierabras saw the blood he said, "Are you perchance wounded, Sir
+Garin?"  "Not I," answered Oliver; "this blood that you see comes
+from my horse where I spurred him."  But Fierabras saw that the blood
+was not from the horse and said: "You speak no truth when you say
+that you are not hurt.  This is no horse's blood but of your own body
+that I see.  Now drink of this flagon of balm that I took from the
+city of Jerusalem.  When you have drunken you shall be whole in body,
+and then you shall be fit to defend yourself in battle."  But Oliver
+would have none of it.  "This," said he, "is but folly."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+HOW OLIVER FOUGHT WITH FIERABRAS
+
+Fierabras, seeing that he must needs fight, said to Oliver, "Come
+now, help me to arm myself."  Said Oliver, "Can I trust you?"  "Yea,"
+answered Fierabras, "that can you: never have I been traitor to any
+man, nor ever will."  So Oliver armed him; he helped him to don first
+a suit of leather of Arabia and after this a coat and habergeon of
+steel, and an helmet richly garnished with jewels for his head.  Was
+ever such courtesy in this world, Oliver helping this pagan to arm,
+whom, being unarmed, he might full easily have slain, and the pagan
+having pity upon Oliver as not being his match in fighting and all
+the more when he saw that he had been wounded?  Would that there were
+more of such courtesy between Christian men!
+
+When he was armed, Fierabras took the three swords that he had,
+Pleasance and Baptism and Grabon, all being of so fine a temper that
+there was no armour made but they could break through it.  The three
+were made by one of three brothers; another of these three made three
+more, of which Durendal, the sword of Roland, was the most famous;
+and yet another brother also made three, of which it suffices to name
+Hautclere that was the sword of Oliver, and Joyous that was one of
+the chief treasures of King Charles.  On his shield he had the image
+of his god, Apollyon to wit, to whom when he had commended himself,
+he yet once again besought Oliver to depart.  And when Oliver had
+again refused, saying that he trusted to prevail by the help of his
+God, Fierabras said to him, "Now as you are a Christian man, I adjure
+you by the font wherein you were baptized and by the cross to which
+your God was nailed, to tell me truly your name and lineage."
+
+Oliver answered, "You could not have adjured me by greater things
+than this same font and cross; know therefore that I am Oliver, the
+son of Reyner, close comrade of Roland, and one of the Twelve Peers
+of France."
+
+Then said Fierabras, "I knew that you were no poor and unknown
+knight, but a great warrior and a famous, so great was your courage.
+But you are wounded, and it would be dishonour to me should I
+overcome you by means of your weakness."  But Oliver answered him
+fiercely, "Enough of these idle words; when we come to fight together
+you shall see that I am no dead man.  Nevertheless as you are a
+courteous knight, I will require you once again to forsake Mahomet
+and your false gods, and submit yourself to be baptized.  So shall
+you have Roland and King Charles for your friends."  "Nay," said
+Fierabras, "but this is folly.  Let us address ourselves to battle
+without more delay."
+
+Then did these two champions lay their spears in rest and make ready
+to charge.  When the men of France saw this they were in great fear
+lest some mischance should befall Oliver; as for the King, he hid his
+face in his mantle and kneeling before the crucifix embraced it,
+weeping the while, and crying, "O Lord, I beseech Thee keep Oliver
+and suffer not the Christian faith to be dishonoured by his
+downfall."  Meanwhile the two warriors met in the shock of battle,
+and that so fiercely that the sparks flew from their spearheads when
+they smote on the shields, and that the shafts of both were broken.
+The reins dropped from their hands, and they were both so astonied
+that they scarce knew where they were.  But then coming to themselves
+they drew each man his sword.  And first Oliver with Hautclere smote
+Fierabras so fiercely on the helmet that he shore off a great portion
+of it, and the jewels wherewith it was garnished fell to the ground.
+Nor was the force of the blow yet spent: it reached the giant's
+shoulder, but the cuirass which was of stout leather of Cappadocia,
+stayed it; nevertheless the giant's feet were thrust out of the
+stirrups, and he came very near to being overthrown.  And all the men
+of France cried with one voice, "Blessed Mary, what a mighty stroke
+has Oliver dealt to this pagan!"  "'Tis true," said Roland, "would I
+were with him this day!"  Then Fierabras, in his turn, smote Oliver
+with his sword Pleasance on the helmet.  From the helmet it glanced
+down and grievously wounded the Christian's horse.  Then Oliver was
+not a little dismayed, and commended himself to God and the Virgin.
+Which, when Fierabras heard, he said, "I am ill content to have so
+hurt you.  Hardly shall you see the sun set this day, for already you
+grow faint.  But this has befallen you because you are already
+wounded.  Be wise therefore and leave the battle while there is yet
+time."  But Oliver would have none of such counsel.  Therefore they
+fell to fighting again, and this so fiercely that the armour of the
+two of them was well-nigh broken to pieces.
+
+When the King saw this, and perceived that Oliver was in no little
+danger, he was greatly troubled.  He prayed aloud, saying, "O Lord
+God, now keep the valiant Oliver, that he be not slain or taken.
+Verily, if aught happen to him, I swear by my father's soul that I
+will burn every monastery and church and altar in the land."  But the
+Duke Naymes rebuked the King, saying, "Speak not thus, Sir King.
+Rather pray to God that of His goodness He will help Oliver."  And
+the King said, "You are right; I spake foolishly."
+
+Meanwhile the two champions continued to fight fiercely, more
+fiercely than befitted prudent or experienced warriors.  Oliver
+especially was so carried out of himself that his hand grew numb with
+the frequency of his blows, and at last his sword flew out of his
+hand.  Straightway he ran to regain it, putting his shield over his
+head to cover himself from the enemy's blows.  But this did not avail
+him, for Fierabras smote twice on the shield, and so mightily that he
+brake it into pieces, and the breastplate under it also.  And Oliver
+durst not go forward to take up his sword, for he feared greatly what
+the giant might do to him.  When the men of France saw in what
+straits he was, they made as if they would arm themselves and go to
+his help.  But this King Charles would not suffer.  "Not so," said
+he; "God can save him and maintain him in the right, and He will do
+so."
+
+Then the others abode in their place.  But now Fierabras began to
+jeer and scoff at Oliver, "Now I know that you are vanquished, for
+you dare not put out your hand to take your sword for fear of me; no,
+you would not stoop to the ground to gain the wealth of the whole
+world.  Now hearken to me: if you will deny your faith and declare
+that your God is no god, and believe in Mahomet, then I will give you
+my sister Floripas in marriage, than whom there is no fairer maid
+upon earth, and we two will conquer France or ever this year shall
+have passed, and I will make you King of one-half of this realm."
+Oliver answered, "Now God forbid that I should listen to such folly.
+These your gods are no gods at all, and have no goodness or
+strength."  Fierabras said, "I see that you are firmly set in your
+mind not to do these things.  Now there was never man on earth who
+has given me such trouble of mind as have you.  But now take up your
+sword; for without it you can have no more strength in battle than a
+woman."  "That will I not do," answered Oliver.  "I will not take my
+sword by your courtesy.  My life and death are with God; and I will
+win my sword by fair fight or not at all."
+
+Thereupon Fierabras came against Oliver, having his sword Pleasance
+in his hand.  Then was Oliver in a great strait, for he had no sword,
+and his shield was cleft in twain, and his armour grievously broken.
+But God had mercy upon him, and put it in his head to look about him.
+And looking he saw the horse of Fierabras, and on the saddle two
+swords, Baptism and Grabon.  Whereupon he made haste and laid hold on
+the sword Baptism.  And when he had possessed himself of it, he said,
+"King of Alexandria, now the time of reckoning has come.  See, I have
+one of your swords; you must take good care lest it be your
+destruction."  When Fierabras saw what Oliver had done, he changed
+colour and said, "O Baptism, my good sword, what is this?  Never did
+better weapon hang by my side or by the side of any man living upon
+earth."  Then he said to Oliver, "You are, I well know, an honourable
+knight.  Come, now, take your own sword and give to me that which is
+mine."  "Not so," answered Oliver; "I will make no agreement with
+you, save this: that I will do my best to slay you, and you shall do
+the same with me."
+
+And when he had said this, Oliver ran at Fierabras as fiercely as a
+lion that leaps upon its prey.  Nor was Fierabras slow to meet him.
+Indeed, he smote him so stoutly that he brake through his helmet,
+wounding the knight's head.  Seeing this he cried, "Now you are
+wounded, Sir Oliver.  Never more shall you see King Charles or
+Roland; so shall I at last have my desire."  But Oliver answered, "Be
+not so proud nor boast overmuch.  I have a good confidence that I
+shall either slay you or conquer you."  Then he made a feint to
+strike the pagan on the head; and Fierabras, raising his shield over
+high to cover himself from the blow, left his side unguarded, which
+Oliver, quickly perceiving, drove his sword with all his might into
+the pagan's side.  And the man fell with the blow, so mighty was it,
+for Oliver dealt it with all his strength that so he might put an end
+to the fight.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+HOW OLIVER AND OTHERS WERE TAKEN PRISONERS
+
+Fierabras, knowing himself to be vanquished, cried to Oliver, "I
+crave your mercy, noble knight, and I pray that I may be baptized;
+for how can I refuse to believe in the God by whose help you have now
+overcome me?  Therefore I surrender myself to you, and beg for your
+protection."  When Oliver heard him speak and saw in what a strait he
+was, he had great compassion on him, and laid him under a tree, and
+so bound up his wounds that he staunched the bleeding.  When he had
+done this, Fierabras said, "Now, noble sir, carry me away from this
+place, for of my own strength I cannot go."  Oliver answered.  "Nay,
+but you are of so great a weight that I may not take you."  Then said
+the giant again, "Take me to the King, for verily I am very near my
+end.  And if you cannot bear me, then take my horse and mount
+thereon, and lay me across the saddle, and put my sword by thy side.
+And mark this: there lie in wait in that wood yonder 40,000
+men--soldiers of mine, whom I set there this very day, bidding them
+there abide till I should return from the battle."  Oliver was
+ill-content with these words; nevertheless he took the giant and laid
+him across the saddle of his horse, and went his way.  Then there
+charged from the wood a great host of pagans, among whom was a
+certain Brullant, and another, Sortybrant by name.
+
+When Oliver saw these he struck his spurs into his horse, but the
+beast was so heavily burdened that he could not go so fast as the
+enemy pursued.  When the men of France saw this, they made all haste
+to go to the help of Oliver, Roland first of all, and Richard of
+Normandy, and Guy of Burgundy, and Duke Thierry, and as was meet,
+Oliver's own father, Duke Reyner.  Meanwhile Brullant, having
+outstripped his companions, came near, for he rode a horse that was
+as swift as a greyhound.  Then Oliver said to Fierabras, "Now, Sir
+King, I must needs put you down, and this I do with much discontent.
+But you see that I am in a great strait, for if these men overtake me
+then shall I of a certainty be slain, and King Charles will never see
+me more."  Fierabras answered, "Noble Oliver, will you now leave me?
+Surely I shall be in very evil case if you so desert me."  Oliver
+said, "Nay, but I will not leave you, and will fight for you with all
+my strength to the very end."  So saying he put upon himself the
+pagan's breastplate, which was in better case than his own, and took
+his sword Hautclere in his hand, and turned himself to meet the
+enemy.  Thereupon came Brullant the Saracen riding fiercely at him,
+and struck him in the breast with his spear, so that the shaft brake;
+but Oliver was wounded.  When Fierabras saw this he said, "Sir
+Oliver, you have done enough for me; now take thought for yourself.
+But lay me first somewhere out of the way, if it may be."  So Oliver
+laid him under a tree out of the way.  And when he had done this he
+saw a great multitude of Saracens about him on every side.  Seeing,
+therefore, that there was no way for him to escape, he prayed to God
+that it might be granted to him not to die at that time, but rather
+to live till he should come to his end in company with Roland his
+comrade.  After this he drew Hautclere his sword, and smote the first
+man that he encountered--he was the son of the greatest lord that was
+in the army of the Saracens--and cleft his body to the breast, so
+that he fell down dead.  Whereupon Oliver took his shield, for his
+own had been broken to pieces.  This done he charged the enemy; one
+of the leaders he slew at the first stroke, and not a few afterwards.
+He bore himself right bravely, but it was not in mortal man to
+prevail against such a host.  First his horse was slain under him,
+and though he rose again from the earth and stood upon his feet, and
+dealt many mighty blows, slaying many, yet he was overcome by the
+strength and number of the Saracens.  His shield was broken in thirty
+places, and his breastplate pierced through with darts, and his body
+wounded many times.  At the last, being overcome by weariness and
+great bleeding, he fell to the ground.  Then the Saracens took hold
+of him as he lay, and bound him with cords, and blindfolded his eyes,
+and setting him on a horse, so carried him away.  All this time he
+did not cease to cry out for help, calling by name on King Charles
+and on Roland, who was his comrade.  Nor did these turn a deaf ear to
+his cries, but came with all haste to help him, if it might be.  And
+among them was Roland, and Ogier the Dane, and Guy of Burgundy, yes,
+and King Charles himself.  There was not one of them but slew a
+Saracen, but Oliver they could not rescue, because they that had him
+in charge fled with all speed, so that the men of France could not by
+any means come up with them.  Nor was this all the trouble, for many
+of the Christians were slain, and others were taken prisoners, as
+Gerard of Montdidier and Geoffrey Langevin.  These the Saracens bound
+to horses and carried away with all haste.  When Charlemagne saw this
+he was so angry that he well-nigh lost his wits.  "Help! help!" he
+cried to the men of France.  "Will you not save your comrades?  It
+will be an ill day for France if these men are carried away into
+captivity."  Nor were Roland and his comrades slow to do the King's
+bidding, for they spurred their horses, and pursued after the enemy,
+seeking if by any means they might deliver the prisoners.  And ever
+Roland was in front, having his good sword Durendal in his hand.
+Many blows did he deal with it, and few were they that were smitten
+and yet lived.  For the space of five miles they followed after the
+Saracens, and still as they followed they slew, but nevertheless they
+could not come up with Oliver and the rest of the prisoners, so
+quickly did they who had them in charge carry them away.  As for
+Roland, though he swore that he would not turn back before he had
+delivered his comrades from captivity, yet he was constrained to
+depart from his purpose, for now the night began to fall, and no man
+knew by which way he should go.  So the King, seeing that there was
+much danger lest the Saracens should lay an ambush for his army, bade
+them halt and turn back to the camp.  And this they did very
+unwillingly.
+
+As King Charles rode back, he found Fierabras lying under a tree much
+spent with the bleeding of his wounds.  When he saw him, he said, "I
+have good cause to hate you, pagan that you are, for you are the
+cause whereby many of my men have been slain and taken prisoners,
+among them Oliver, than whom there is no one in the whole world
+dearer to me."
+
+When Fierabras heard these words, he sighed and said, "Most noble
+King, I pray you of your mercy to pardon me and cause to be made a
+Christian man, so that, if I should be healed of my wounds, I may do
+all that is in me to advance the Christian faith, and to deliver the
+Holy Sepulchre.  And now I beseech you to order that I may be
+baptized without delay."
+
+When the King heard him speak in this fashion he felt a great
+compassion for him, and bade his knights carry him to a convenient
+lodging.  And when the men of France saw of how great stature and
+beauty he was, they marvelled much, for indeed, when he was without
+his armour, there was no fairer man to be seen in all the world.
+Then they sent in all haste for Turpin the Archbishop, who when he
+was come baptized him in the name of Florin.  Nevertheless he was
+still called Fierabras to the day of his death.  Then the King sent
+his physicians and sages to search out his wounds, who having
+examined him, when they found that he had not been hurt in any mortal
+part, affirmed, that he would be whole again in the space of two
+months.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+HOW OLIVER AND HIS COMRADES FARED
+
+The Saracens that had charge of Oliver and the other knights did not
+halt till they came to a rich city, Aygremore by name.  Being arrived
+there they made a great braying of trumpets at the gate.  Balan, who
+was father to Fierabras, hearing this came to the gate, and seeing
+there Brullant, said to him, "Tell me, Brullant, my friend, how you
+have fared.  Have you taken King Charles, and put his Peers to
+flight?"  Brullant answered, "I have no such tidings for you, Sir
+Admiral.  We have been discomfited by King Charles, and Fierabras
+your son was overcome in single fight by one of the King's Barons,
+and has been made a Christian man."
+
+When the Admiral heard this, he was greatly troubled, and fell into a
+swoon.  Being recovered from this, he made a great complaint of his
+ill-fortune, and lamented over his son, as one who never having been
+vanquished before had now suffered defeat.  And at last, so great was
+his rage, he cried, "Now if this be true, and Fierabras my son is
+lost to me, verily I will strike out the brains of this false god
+Mahomet, who having promised me so much has fulfilled so little."
+And he threw himself in an agony upon the ground.
+
+After a while, his anger having now somewhat cooled, he said to
+Brullant, "Tell me now, was Fierabras my son vanquished by one of
+these knights whom I now see before me?  If it be so, show the man to
+me."  So Brullant showed to him Oliver, and Balan was fain to admire
+him, so tall he was and strong and fair.  Nevertheless he cried,
+"Bring him hither to me, and I will cut him to pieces."  When the
+others understood that it was his purpose to put Oliver to death,
+they were greatly troubled.  But Oliver comforted them saying, "We
+are not in such ill case as you think.  But mark this one thing that
+I counsel you.  Tell not your true names to the Admiral.  If he once
+knows that we are Peers of France, he will have no pity upon us, and
+we shall die."  But the Saracens knew not what he said.  After this
+Balan commanded that the prisoners should be brought before him,
+having been first bound with cords and blindfolded.  This being done,
+he said to Oliver, "Tell me now your name and country, and mind that
+you say nothing that is false."
+
+Oliver answered, "I am a poor knight, Eugenes by name, born in
+Lorraine, my father being a yeoman, and these my comrades whom you
+see are poor knights also, and we have taken service with the King,
+hoping thus to get advancement and reward."  Balan was very wroth to
+hear this.  "I thought," he cried, "that I had five of the best and
+bravest knights in France, and that having these I possessed, as it
+were, the keys of France."  And he said to his chamberlain, "Strip
+these men of their raiment and bind them to that pillar yonder, and
+bring me darts well pointed with iron that I may shoot at them for my
+sport."  But Brullant stood up and said, "Sir Admiral, I beseech you
+to hear me; it is now eventide, and too late to do justice in proper
+form; your lords and councillors also are not here; delay therefore
+this matter to the morrow, when the thing shall be known and your
+judgment better approved, for that these men rightly deserve such
+punishment I do heartily believe.  Consider also that King Charles
+may be willing to give up Fierabras in exchange for these knights.
+Wherefore you would do well to keep them without harm."
+
+"This is good counsel," said the Admiral.  "Send for Brutamont, and
+let him take these men in charge."  Now Brutamont was keeper of the
+King's prison.
+
+Then Brutamont thrust these French knights into the prison, which was
+a dungeon so deep that no light could enter it.  A horrible place it
+was, in which were nourished serpents and toads and all manner of
+venomous beasts, and there was a most evil stench in it.  Also the
+water of the sea flowed in when the tide was high, and at this time
+it was so deep in the dungeon that it came up even to the shoulders
+of the prisoners.  As for Oliver the salt water made his wounds,
+which were many and grievous, to smart beyond all bearing.  He was
+therefore in evil case, and most certainly had died but for Gerard of
+Montdidier, who kept him up so that he should not drown.  And indeed
+they were all in great peril of drowning, and doubtless had so
+perished, but that there were in the dungeon two pillars, fifteen
+feet or thereabouts in height, upon which they climbed, lifting up
+Oliver also, for of his own strength he could not have done it.
+Loudly did he lament, crying out that his father Reyner should never
+more see him alive.  But Gerard comforted him, saying, "It is not for
+a brave knight to complain.  Let us rather trust in God.
+Nevertheless I wish that we had each of us a good sword in his hand.
+I vow to God that we would slay not a few score of Saracens before
+they should put us again into this dungeon."
+
+Now the Admiral had a daughter, Floripas by name, a very fair damsel,
+and not yet married.  She was of a reasonable stature, and as bright
+as a rose in May.  Her hair was like shining gold, and her eyes
+bright as the eyes of a falcon, and the eyebrows above them fine and
+straight, her nose shapely, her cheeks well rounded, fair as a
+fleur-de-lys, but with delicate colour of rose; her mouth small and
+delicate with a chin suitably fashioned, and her shoulders straight
+and her bosom of a most dainty curve.  She was clad in a robe of
+purple broidered with gold, of noble aspect, and of such a virtue
+that no one wearing it could be harmed by any poison.  Such was
+Floripas to behold.  So fair was she, that if a man had fasted for
+three days or four and should then look upon her, he should be as
+well satisfied as with abundance of meat and drink.
+
+The maiden hearing the complaints of the French knights felt a great
+pity for them.  So she went from her chamber to the hall, and twelve
+maidens that waited upon her followed.  And when she came to the hall
+she found a great lamenting, and asking the cause she heard that her
+brother Fierabras had been vanquished in battle and taken prisoner.
+Thereupon she cried aloud, and wept bitterly, and all that were in
+the hall wept with her.
+
+After that the maiden's grief was somewhat spent, she sent for
+Brutamont the jailer, and demanded of him who were these men that he
+had in the dungeon.  "Madam," said he, "they are French knights,
+servants of King Charles, and they have wrought great harm to our
+people, and done dishonour to our gods.  This also they have added to
+their crimes, that they have helped to slay Fierabras your brother.
+One of them there is who is as seemly a man as ever I beheld; 'twas
+he, I am told, that prevailed over your brother."  Then said
+Floripas, "Open now the dungeon, for I would fain know how they
+fare."  But Brutamont answered, "Not so, madam; the place is foul and
+loathsome, and so dark that you could not see the men.  Also your
+father has strictly charged me that I should suffer no one to come
+near to the prison, and least of all a woman, seeing that many are
+deceived and shamed by women."
+
+Floripas was very wroth to hear such words, "Thou evil beast!" said
+she; "dost use such speech to me?"  And she called her chamberlain
+and bade him fetch her a staff.  Which when he had brought, she smote
+Brutamont the jailer so mighty a blow upon the head that he fell to
+the ground a dead man.
+
+Then Floripas bade them light a torch and open the door of the
+prison.  And when she saw the prisoners how they had climbed upon the
+pillars, as has been told, she said, "Tell me now, my lords, who you
+are and how you are named."  Oliver answered, "Fair lady, we are men
+of France, and knights of King Charles, and having been brought
+hither have been put by the Admiral into this horrible dungeon.
+Better had we been slain in battle than that we should rot in this
+place!"  Floripas, who for all that she was not a Christian woman,
+was of great courtesy and compassion, said to them, "Now I promise
+that I will take you out of this prison, only you must engage to do
+what I demand of you."  And Oliver said, "That will we do, madam,
+right gladly.  We are true men and faithful, nor have we ever been
+aught else, nor will be.  Give us arms in our hands, and set us where
+we may fight with these Saracens.  Verily they shall be ill content
+with us."
+
+"Now," answered Floripas, "methinks you boast overmuch.  Here are you
+in prison, and you boast yourself against them that are at liberty.
+'Tis better for a man to be quiet than to talk so foolishly."  Then
+spake Gerard, "Lady, he that is so kept in prison will oft use light
+words that he may forget his pain."  Then Floripas said to Gerard,
+"You excuse your fellow right courteously.  I trow that you have a
+flattering tongue wherewith to win a maiden's heart."  "You speak
+truly, lady," cried William the Scot; "you shall not find his peer
+for three hundred miles and more."
+
+After this Floripas sent her chamberlain to fetch a rope, which she
+let down into the dungeon.  When the prisoners saw it they put it
+first round Oliver, and Floripas and her chamberlain drew him up out
+of the water with no little labour.  After him the others were drawn
+up more easily.  Having so rescued them, she took them by a secret
+way into her own lodging, which was a very fair and spacious abode,
+marvellously adorned with all manner of paintings, as of the sun and
+the moon and all the host of heaven, with woods and mountains and
+living creatures of all kinds, made, as some will have it, by the son
+of Methuselah.  This dwelling stood on a black rock, altogether
+surrounded by the sea, and near to it was a garden of which the
+flowers and fruits never failed.  There were precious herbs also
+which availed to cure all manner of sickness and maladies, save only
+the malady of death.
+
+Now Floripas had a governess, by name Maragonde.  Maragonde said to
+the maiden, "Madam, I know these Frenchmen well.  That is Oliver, son
+of Reyner, the same that has vanquished Fierabras your brother; that
+yonder is Gerard of Montdidier, and this William the Scot.  Now may
+Mahomet send his curse upon me if I do not straightway tell your
+father, the lord Admiral."  When Floripas heard these words she
+changed colour, being moved to much anger, which nevertheless she
+hid.  Then she called the woman to come to her where she stood by a
+window; when she was come she struck her to the ground with a great
+blow, and calling her servant, bade him throw her into the sea, for
+she much feared her father and his malice.  "Go now, spiteful
+wretch," said Floripas when she saw Maragonde sink in the water, "You
+have your reward."
+
+This done, she greeted the Frenchmen right courteously, and when she
+saw how Sir Oliver was covered with blood, she gave him a draught of
+a certain herb that is named Mandegloire, which when he had drunk he
+was immediately made whole.  Then the knights were refreshed with
+baths and were furnished with goodly apparel, and had entertainment
+of meat and drink.  And when they were satisfied, she said to them,
+"My lords, I know full well who you are, that this, for instance, is
+Sir Oliver who vanquished Fierabras my brother; yet I have showed you
+this great kindness, nor this without danger to myself.  Now there is
+a certain knight in France whom I have long loved, Guy of Burgundy by
+name, he is the goodliest man that ever I saw, and is of the kindred
+of Charlemagne and of Roland.  I saw him at Rome when my father the
+Admiral took that city, and then and there gave him my heart, when he
+had struck down to the earth a certain Lucifer that was chief of the
+pagan warriors.  For the sake of this Guy I will become a Christian,
+and if I may not have him to my husband, I will never marry.  Now
+therefore I beg that you will help me in this matter."  Then said
+Gerard of Montdidier, "Madam, give us arms, and we will put the
+Saracens to flight."  But Floripas was prudent and said, "Rest
+awhile, my friends, for it will need much counsel before it can be
+seen what you had best do."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+OF THE BRIDGE OF MANTRYBLE
+
+Duke Reyner could neither eat nor drink for the grief that he had
+about his son; and when he could no longer endure this trouble, he
+came to King Charles and made his complaint.  "Oh, sir," he said, "I
+am like to die of grief for my dear son Oliver.  If I have no tidings
+of him then I must needs perish, or go myself to seek him."  The King
+when he heard these words was full of pity, and sent for Roland, and
+said to him, "Fair nephew, you must go on the morrow to Aygremore,
+and get speech of Balan, and say to him, and that full plainly, that
+he must straightway deliver up the holy things that he has, and also
+set free those my knights that he has in keeping.  And if he refuse
+to do these things, then tell him that I will most surely hang him as
+a thief."  To this Roland answered, "Fair king and uncle, send me on
+no such errand, for if you do, you will never see me more."  Then
+spake the Duke Naymes, "Take heed, Sire, what you do.  You know what
+a valiant man is your nephew Roland.  If you send him, he will return
+no more."  Said King Charles, "Then you shall go with him, bearing
+the letters that I shall send to the Admiral."  And then others of
+the Peers, as Duke Thierry and Ogier the Dane, stood up in their
+place, and said the same thing, then the King swore a great oath,
+even by the eyes in his head, that they also should go.  So he did to
+six of the Peers.  Last of all he spied Guy of Burgundy and said to
+him, "You are my cousin and nearest to me in blood, you shall be the
+seventh with these six to take my message to Balan the Admiral.  You
+shall say to him that I purpose to baptize him, that he holds of me
+his whole kingdom, and that he must deliver up to me the holy
+things."  Said Guy of Burgundy, "My lord, I pray you send me not on
+this errand, for if you will send me I am assured that you will never
+see me again."  But the King took no heed.  On the morrow the seven
+came and stood before him and said, "We crave your leave to depart;
+if we have done wrong to any in this company we pray his pardon, and
+if any have wronged us, him we pardon."  At these words all that were
+there began to weep for pity.  The King said, "Well beloved, I
+commend you to God; may He have you in His keeping!"  Then they went
+their way.
+
+Meanwhile in Aygremore the Admiral was in great trouble and doubt.
+He sent, therefore, for fifteen Kings of the Saracens, that they
+might advise him.  When they were come the fiercest of them, Maradas
+by name, said, "Sir Admiral, why have you sent for us?"  Balan
+answered, "I will tell you truly: Charlemagne is on his way hither.
+He says that I hold my kingdom of him.  Now he were better advised to
+sit still and rest his old body, and pray in his churches, and eat
+such food as he has.  Go you, therefore, and demand of him my son
+Fierabras, and bid him do homage for his kingdom, or I will come with
+one hundred thousand men, and constrain him."  Maradas liked not the
+matter, but said that he would go.  So did the others also; so they
+armed themselves and departed.
+
+So these two companies both went their way, and in no long while
+approached one to the other.  And first Duke Naymes espied the
+Saracens, and said, "See now these Saracens are coming against us
+with a great force; advise what we shall do."  Roland said: "Be in no
+haste, my lords.  There be but twenty of them, or, at the most
+thirty; let us ride straight against them," and this advice seemed
+good to them all.
+
+After this Maradas rode out from the company of the Saracens, and
+said, "It is an ill fortune for you, being Christian men, that you
+have met with us."  "That is foolishly said," answered Duke Naymes.
+"We come from King Charles bearing a message to Balan your master."
+Maradas said again: "For all that you are in danger.  Will any one
+joust with me?"  "That will I," said Duke Naymes.  "You are
+overbold," answered Maradas.  "I would willingly fight with ten such
+as you.  Hear you now, all of you; let no one move from his place; I
+will overcome you all, and give you to my lord the Admiral."
+
+Roland, when he heard these words, was well-nigh beside himself with
+anger, and cried, "Before the sun set, thou shalt see what we can
+do."  Then he charged at Maradas in great fury, and Maradas charged
+also.  Each brake the corselet of the other with his spear's point;
+but Roland dealt Maradas such a blow that he brake his helmet from
+off his head, and then, quickly recovering himself, smote him on his
+bare skull and cleft it to the brain, so that he fell down dead.
+Then the other knights fell upon the rest of the Saracens and slew
+them, one only escaping, who did not draw rein till he came to the
+Admiral.  Said the Admiral, "You have come back with good speed.
+What have you done?"  And the King that had escaped answered, "It has
+gone very ill with us; we encountered seven Knights of France, who
+said they were King Charles's men.  They ran upon us, and had such
+mastery over us that I only escaped to tell the tale."  When the
+Admiral heard, he well-nigh died of grief and rage.
+
+After the battle with the Saracens Roland and his fellows rested
+awhile in a meadow that was nigh at hand.  And the Duke Naymes said,
+"It were well that we should return to King Charles and tell him how
+we have fared.  I take it he will be well pleased."  But Roland said,
+"Do you talk of returning, Sir Duke?  So long as I have my good sword
+Durendal in my hand I will not return.  We will do our message to the
+Admiral as the King commanded.  Come now, let us take each one a head
+of a pagan in his hand and present them to the Admiral."  "You are
+out of your wits, Sir Roland," said the Duke Naymes; "if we do so, we
+shall surely be all slain."  But the others were of Roland's opinion;
+therefore each man took a head of a pagan in his hand, and they went
+their way.
+
+So they journeyed till they came to the Bridge Mantryble.  When the
+Duke Naymes saw the bridge, he said, "This is Mantryble, and on the
+other side of the bridge lies the town of Aygremore, where we shall
+find the Admiral."  Then said Ogier the Dane, "We must first pass the
+bridge, and it is a very dangerous place.  There are in it thirty
+arches, and on it are great towers, and the walls are so wide that
+ten knights can ride abreast upon them.  And in the midst of it is a
+great drawbridge, which is let down and pulled up with ten chains of
+iron.  And under the bridge there is a river, which they call Flagot.
+This river flows as fast as a bolt flies out of a crossbow; so fierce
+is the current that no boat or galley can by any means cross over it.
+And the Keeper of the bridge is a giant, Gallafer by name, a very
+terrible monster to behold.  He is armed with an axe of steel with
+which to smite down any one that may presume to pass over the bridge
+against his will."
+
+Then said Roland, "Do not trouble yourselves, my lords.  As long as
+it shall please God to keep me, and I have Durendal in my hand, I
+care not one penny for any pagan, be he giant or other.  This porter
+I will slay, if he seek to hinder me."  But Duke Naymes said to Sir
+Roland, "This is foolish talk; it is not wise to give one blow and to
+receive a score.  Leave the matter to me, and I will deal so with the
+porter, that he will let us pass over the bridge without any trouble."
+
+So when they came to the bridge, the Duke Naymes rode before them.
+He was an old man, and his hair was white, so that it became him to
+ride first.  The porter said to him, "Whither do you go with this
+company, and what is your errand?"  The Duke answered, "We are
+messengers from King Charles, and we go to Aygremore with a message
+to Balan the Admiral.  He has not driven all evil men out of his
+country, for on our way we met some fifteen villains who would have
+taken from us our horses and our lives.  But we took such order with
+them that they will not trouble us any more.  See, here are their
+heads."
+
+When the porter heard these words he was well-nigh out of his wits
+with anger.  He said to the Duke Naymes, "Hear me; you must pay your
+toll for the passing of this bridge."  The Duke answered, "What is
+the toll.  We will content you."  "It is no little, this toll," said
+the porter.  "You must pay thirty couple of hounds, and a hundred
+damsels, and a hundred falcons in their cages, and a hundred horses,
+and for each foot of each horse a piece of gold.  Also you must give
+me four pack-horses laden with gold and silver."  The Duke said, "All
+this and more you will find in our baggage, which comes after us.
+You shall have your toll by noon.  Of a truth there are many more
+things than you say, as hauberks, and helmets, and good shields.  You
+shall take of them as much as you will."  This Gallafer the Porter
+believed, so boldly did the Duke speak, and he let them pass by the
+drawbridge.  Then Roland laughed out, and said, "Sir Duke, you have
+indeed kept your word;" and when they had gone a little further
+Roland espied a Turk that was coming across the bridge, and without
+ado he lighted down from his beast, took the Turk by the middle, and
+threw him over the wall of the bridge into the river.  When the Duke
+Naymes, looking behind him, saw what he had done, he said, "Surely
+the devil is in this Roland; he has no patience in him.  If God does
+not keep us he will bring us all to our death."  And indeed Roland
+was of so high a courage that he took no count of time or place;
+wherever he found his enemy he would forthwith avenge himself on him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+OF THE DOINGS OF FLORIPAS
+
+In due course the French knights came to the town of Aygremore, and
+having entered by the gate, came, a Saracen guiding them, to where
+the Admiral sat in the shade of a tree.  The Duke Naymes said to his
+companions, "I am the bearer of the King's letter, and I therefore
+will speak first."  At this Roland was ill content, desiring greatly
+to have this office for himself.  But the Duke would not suffer it;
+"Nay," said he, "speak not one word; you cannot keep yourself in
+bounds; if you have your way you will bring us all to death before
+sunset."
+
+So the Duke spake first, beginning in this fashion, "Now may God
+Almighty save and defend our mighty Lord King Charles, and confound
+Balan the Admiral and his subjects.  For these have borne themselves
+to us most dishonourably, seeking to take from us our horses and
+other possessions."  When the Admiral heard these words, he had much
+ado to keep under his anger.  Before he could make answer to the Duke
+there came the one King who had escaped from the Frenchmen, and told
+him saying, "These are the same eight villains that slew the Kings;
+avenge yourself on them."  Balan said, "Let them be for the present,"
+and turning to Duke Naymes, he said, "Finish now your message."  The
+Duke answered that he would gladly do this, and so proceeded: "The
+great and noble King of France bids you render to him the crown of
+thorns with which our Lord Christ was crowned and the other Holy
+Things.  Also he commands you to set free certain knights of his whom
+you hold in prison; which things if you fail to do forthwith he will
+cause you to be hanged by the neck till you die."  Balan said, "You
+have reviled me with violent words; but I have heard you courteously.
+Go now, and sit down by yonder pillar, and let these others speak,
+whom I have not yet heard."
+
+Then came Richard of Normandy, and spake the same words.  When the
+Admiral saw him, he said, "You are like to Richard of Normandy, the
+same that slew my uncle Corsuble.  Go and sit you down till I have
+heard your fellows."  After Richard came the others, saying the same
+words, and other words like to them.  But none spake more fiercely
+and proudly than Roland, who, after that he had bidden the Admiral
+render the Holy Things and the knights his prisoners, added, "And see
+that you give up these same prisoners in good case; otherwise King
+Charles will have you hanged by the neck as a thief."
+
+Balan cried in a rage, "These are proud words.  Now I swear by
+Mahomet and Termagant that I will not eat till you are hanged."  But
+Roland answered, "Then methinks you will keep an overlong fast.  Say
+what you will; I count you to be of no more worth than a dead dog."
+
+Last of all came Guy of Burgundy, who, after he had delivered the
+message said, "I counsel you, Sir Admiral, to submit yourself to my
+lord the King.  Take off your coat, and your hose and your shoes, and
+go in your shirt only, carrying on your back the saddle of a horse,
+and rest not till you come to the presence of King Charles, when you
+shall confess your misdoings, and pray for mercy.  Which things if
+you do not, you will assuredly be hanged or burnt with fire."
+
+When he had heard all these words the Admiral was not a little wroth.
+He called, therefore, Brullant and Sortibrant, and others of his
+counsellors, and said to them, "What shall we do with these men?"
+Sortibrant answered, "Let them be cut in pieces.  And when you have
+slain them, gather together all your armies, and go to Mormyond,
+where King Charles is at this present, and take him, and put him to
+death."  When the Admiral heard this counsel he agreed to it, and
+commanded that preparations should be made for the slaying of the
+French knights.
+
+But the Princess Floripas was aware of all that had been done.
+Therefore, coming into the hall, she saluted her father, and said to
+him, "Who are these knights that are set yonder by themselves?"  The
+Admiral answered, "They are knights of France who have reproached me
+with very evil words.  What shall I do with them?"  Floripas said, "I
+advise you to smite off their heads with as little delay as may be,
+for they have well deserved it.  Afterwards burn their bodies outside
+the city."
+
+The Admiral said, "This is good counsel; it shall be done forthwith.
+Go now to the prison, and bring thence the other knights that are
+there.  So shall they all suffer death together."  "Good father,"
+answered Floripas, "it is now time for dinner.  You cannot
+commodiously do this justice till you have dined."  But her purpose
+was to persuade her father with fair words so that he might bring all
+the Frenchmen together.  She said therefore, "Father, give these
+knights into my keeping.  They shall be well guarded.  And after
+dinner you shall do justice upon them in the presence of your
+people."  To this the Admiral consented.  But Sortibrant, who knew
+that women are changeable and inconstant, said to him, "It is not a
+wise thing to put such trust in a woman.  You will know by many
+examples how men are deceived by them."  Floripas was greatly angered
+at these words of Sortibrant, and said to him, "You are a traitor,
+perjured and disloyal.  I would give you such a buffet on your face
+that the blood would run down amain, were it a seemly thing for a
+maid to do."
+
+Their debate being ended, Floripas took the French knights to her
+lodgings.  As they went, the Duke Naymes said, "Who ever saw so fair
+a woman as this?  Of a truth the man who should do battle for love of
+her would be well inspired."  But Roland was angry, and said, "What
+devil prompts you to speak of love; this is not the time for such
+talk."  And the Duke answered, "Sir Roland, I too was once a lover."
+But Floripas, saying they did ill to dispute among themselves, took
+them into her lodgings, and shut to the door.  Then Roland and Oliver
+embraced with much joy.  The other knights also were right glad to
+come together again.  And, indeed, it was a marvellous thing; but
+what will not a woman's wit effect in the attaining of that which she
+greatly desires?  For it has been told that Floripas had great love
+for Guy of Burgundy, and was willing to be baptized if only she might
+have him to her husband.
+
+When the knights had finished their greetings, Floripas said to them,
+"My lords, will you promise me on your honour that you will help me
+to attain that which I desire?"  The Duke Naymes answered, "That,
+madam, will we do right willingly.  And you may trust that we will
+keep faith with you."  Then Floripas asked the Duke by what name he
+was known.  And when he had told her she asked the names of the
+others.  And when she came to Roland and had heard that he was
+Roland, son of the Duke of Milan and nephew to King Charles himself,
+she kneeled down at his feet.  And when he had raised her up right
+courteously, she said to him, "I love a certain knight of France, Guy
+of Burgundy by name, and I would have tidings of him."  "Madam,"
+answered Roland, "he is here in this very place; there is not more
+than four feet of space between him and you."
+
+Then Roland said to Guy of Burgundy, "Come hither, Sir Guy, to this
+maiden and receive her right gladly, as is fit."  But Guy answered,
+"God forbid that I should take a wife except she were given me by
+King Charles himself."  When Floripas heard him she changed colour,
+being very angry, and said, "If this be so, then I swear by Mahomet
+that all these knights shall be hanged on a gibbet."  Then said
+Roland to Guy, "I pray you do this damsel the pleasure that she would
+have."  So Guy consented to her will.  And Floripas said that now she
+had the thing she most desired, and kissed him, not on the mouth, for
+that she durst not, being yet a pagan, but upon the cheek and chin.
+After this she opened a great chest that she had in her chamber, and
+spread a fair cloth of silk, and on this she laid the crown of thorns
+and the nails with which the Lord's feet were pierced.  "This," she
+said, "is the great treasure which ye have so much desired to see."
+Then the knights went up and kissed the Holy Relics reverently, not
+without tears.  After this the things were put up again into the
+chest where they had been before.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+OF THE DOINGS OF THE FRENCH KNIGHTS
+
+As the Admiral sat at dinner there came into the hall the chieftain
+who was named Lucifer, and was a special friend to the Admiral.  He
+said, "Is it true, as I have heard, that Fierabras, your son, who was
+the very best knight in the whole world, has been overcome and taken
+prisoner?"  "It is true," answered the Admiral, "I will not hide the
+thing from you.  A French knight, whom may Mahomet confound, overcame
+him.  But we have taken five of King Charles's knights; seven other
+knights came hither bearing a very insolent message to me from the
+King, all these therefore are in prison.  I gave them into the hands
+of Floripas my daughter, and she has shut them up in prison."
+
+"Sir," said Lucifer, "this was not well done of you, to trust these
+prisoners to a woman, for women are apt to change, and to turn from
+one thing to another.  If it please you I will go and see in what
+condition they are."
+
+Then said the Admiral, "That is well counselled; go and see, and when
+you return make my daughter to return with you."
+
+So Lucifer went, and when he came to the chamber where Floripas was
+he did not seek to have the door opened to him, but smote it so
+stoutly with his foot that he brake down the bolts and bars.
+
+When Floripas saw this she was very wroth, and said to Roland, "This
+violence is ill-pleasing to me, Sir Roland, all the more because this
+man that has done it should have been my husband, though I loved him
+not.  I pray you avenge me of this wrong."
+
+"Be content, fair lady," answered Roland, "this fellow shall be made
+to know of his misdoing ere he depart hence.  Never did he pay so
+much for the making of a lock as he shall pay for the breaking of
+it."  Meanwhile Lucifer entered the chamber, and coming up to the
+Duke of Naymes, who was bareheaded, took him by the beard, and drew
+him to himself so roughly that he had well-nigh thrown him to the
+ground.  "Whence come you, old man?" said he, "Tell me the truth."
+The Duke told him, "I am Duke of Naymes, and I am a councillor of
+King Charles, from whom I have come, with these lords whom you see,
+bringing a message to the Admiral.  And because what we said was not
+to his liking, he has made us prisoners.  But now take your hand from
+my beard, you have held me long enough.  And be sure that I say not
+all that I think."  The pagan answered him, "May be the Admiral will
+forgive you your folly.  But come, tell me truly of your countrymen,
+how do they bear themselves, and what games do they play?"  The Duke
+answered, "When the King has dined every man may go where he will.
+Some ride on horses, and some go into the fields, and some play at
+chess or tables.  In the morning every man hears Mass when it is
+said; they are wont also to give alms to such as are in need.  And in
+battle they are not easily to be overcome."
+
+[Illustration: BLOWING THE GREAT COAL.]
+
+Lucifer said, "Old man, you dote; these things are naught; say, can
+your folk blow at the great coal?"  "I never heard of the great
+coal," said the Duke.  Then said Lucifer, "I will teach you the
+manner of it," and he came near to a great fire that was in the
+chamber, Roland making a sign meanwhile to the Duke that he should
+bear with the man's way.  Then Lucifer took the biggest brand that
+was on the fire, and blew it so strongly that the sparks flew about
+abundantly.  "And now," said he to the Duke, "You must blow also."
+Thereupon the Duke took the coal, and blew it so strongly that the
+flame came near to the pagan's face, and burnt his beard.  Lucifer
+was almost out of his wits for anger, but before he could as much as
+speak the Duke smote him with the brand upon the neck so strongly
+that the bone was broken, and the man fell dead upon the floor.  "By
+my faith," said Roland, "you can play right well at blowing of the
+coal.  Now blessed be the arm that struck that blow."  The Duke said,
+"Blame me not, my friends, for ye saw how the man trifled with me."
+Then said Floripas, "Sir, you are worthy of all honour.  Lucifer, I
+reckon, will have no more desire to play with you at the great coal.
+Nor will he wish to marry me.  For indeed that was his purpose.
+Verily I had rather died the most villainous death than have had him
+for my husband."
+
+After a while Floripas, being a woman of wise counsel, said to the
+knights, "This Lucifer that is now dead was a man much beloved by my
+father, who doubtless is even now waiting for him to come to dinner.
+As soon as it shall be known that he has been slain, you will be
+assailed; and if you be vanquished, not all the gold in the world
+will redeem you from death.  Arm yourselves, therefore; and, being
+armed, wait not till you are assailed in this place, but issue forth
+and yourselves assail the Admiral's palace, and be sure that you do
+this in such fashion as to become masters of it."
+
+This counsel seemed good to the Knights.  So they armed themselves,
+and went forth, bold as lions and fierce as hungry wolves, and the
+time of going forth was the hour that is between day and night.
+First of all went Roland, and slew King Corsablis; next came Oliver,
+and he also smote a king, Coldro by name; great was the slaughter,
+for the Saracens were taken as they sat at meat.  Many were killed
+and not a few leapt from the windows and so perished.  As for the
+Admiral he escaped most narrowly; for as he leapt from a window
+Roland dealt a great blow at him with his sword, and the sword made a
+hole of a foot deep in the marble stone of the window.  "Brother,"
+said Oliver, "the Admiral has escaped from you."  "You say true,"
+answered Roland, "and I am but ill content."  But the Frenchmen made
+themselves masters of the palace, and having shut fast the gates,
+were safe.  But this was like to trouble them, that they had no meat.
+
+Now the Admiral had lighted in a ditch, and now began to cry to his
+men that they should draw him out.  And this service Brullant and
+Sortibrant did for him.  And when he was drawn out, Sortibrant said
+to him, "Sir Admiral, did I not say to you that you should not trust
+a woman?  See now what has happened.  Another day you had better
+believe me.  Keep by the tail of an old dog, and you will not go out
+of the way."  The Admiral said, "Sortibrant, reproach me no more.  I
+will be avenged of these men before many days be passed."  "That is
+well," answered Sortibrant, "but now the night is far spent.  I would
+counsel you to do nothing before the morrow."  With this the Admiral
+was fain to be content.  But he made great lamentation over Lucifer.
+
+As for the Frenchmen, he vowed that he would drag them at the tails
+of his horses, making sure that they could not hold out, because they
+had nothing to eat, nor could their King send them any help, "for,"
+said he, "all help must needs come over the bridge Mantryble, and
+that bridge we hold."
+
+The next day the Admiral having assembled a great host, began to
+assail the castle with stones from slings and poisoned darts.  In
+this way they did but little damage, but the knights and the maidens
+in the castle were sorely pressed for want of food, nor did any one
+suffer more than Floripas herself, who was grieved not for herself
+only, but for the knights also, and for the maidens that waited on
+her.  When Guy of Burgundy saw this, he said to his fellows, "It is
+now three days since we had any bread.  'Tis a grievous thing to
+endure; and I suffer more for these damsels than for myself.  It were
+better to die than to endure this pain.  Let us, therefore, sally
+forth, and get for ourselves some victuals."  This counsel pleased
+all the Frenchmen.
+
+But Floripas said to them: "Now I see that the God whom you worship
+is of little power, seeing that he suffers you to remain in such
+straits.  Now, if you had worshipped our gods, they would, beyond all
+doubt, have furnished you with abundance of meat and drink."  Roland
+said, "Madam, let us see your gods.  If they have such power as you
+say, we will surely worship them."  Then Floripas took the keys, and
+took the French Knights to a place that was under the castle, where
+the gods were set in great state, Apollo, to wit, and Mahomet, and
+Termagaunt, and Jupiter, and others with them.  Very splendid was the
+place, and full of gold and jewels.  Guy of Burgundy said, "Here is
+store of gold: did King Charles possess this, he could set up the
+churches that have been overthrown."
+
+Floripas said: "Sir Guy, you spake blasphemy against the gods; do you
+now worship them, that they may be inclined to help you."  Sir Guy
+answered, "Madam, I cannot pray to them, for it seems to me that they
+are all asleep and take no heed of what may be said."  So saying he
+smote the image of Jupiter that it fell to the ground, and Ogier the
+Dane smote another of the images.  When they were all brought to the
+ground, Roland said to Floripas, "Madam, these gods are of no power
+and avail nothing."  After this the maiden believed in them no longer.
+
+After these things, Floripas having swooned for trouble and hunger,
+the knights sallied forth.  And Roland said, "Now some one must keep
+the gates that we may be able, when the occasion comes, to enter it
+again.  Let the Duke Naymes therefore keep it, or Ogier the Dane."
+The Duke said, "Think you, Sir Roland, that I am of estate so poor
+that I will serve as your porter?  Assuredly I will not do so.  Old I
+am, but yet I can ride my horse in battle, and my sinews are well
+set, and I have enough of strength to fight my enemies."  "You shall
+do as you will, Sir Duke," said Roland.  No man desired to take the
+place.  Nevertheless, at the last Thierry abode with Geoffrey to keep
+the gate.
+
+Meanwhile the Admiral, sitting at a window, saw how the Frenchmen
+came forth to battle.  He sent, therefore, for Sortibrant and
+Brullant, and said to them, "I see that the Frenchmen are coming to
+fight.  If they be not all slain, I shall be very ill content."  Then
+the Saracens, of whom there was a great host, assailed the Frenchmen,
+but could not stand against them.  Roland, having his sword Durendal
+in his hand, did great deeds of valour.  Nor were the knights beaten
+back, even though King Clarion, who was the Admiral's neighbour, came
+to his help with 15,000 men.  That day, therefore, the knights fought
+with much glory.  And when the battle was ended, there came to them a
+marvellous good fortune.  For they saw that there passed by the
+castle twenty beasts laden with provender, bread to wit, and wine,
+and venison, and a store of other victuals.  These were on their way
+to the Admiral, but the French knights straightway slew the escort,
+and drove the beasts into the town.  This thing, however, was not
+accomplished without much toil and trouble.
+
+Now the trouble was this.  The French knights were so hard pressed by
+a multitude of Saracens that followed King Clarion that some were
+slain, as the Duke Basyn and Aubrey his son, and that Guy of Burgundy
+was taken prisoner, his horse having been killed under him.  The
+Saracens blindfolded him and led him away, King Clarion meanwhile
+scoffing at him and saying, "Cry and bray as you will, my fair
+friend," for Guy called upon God to help him, "nothing will avail
+you.  This day I will deliver you to the Admiral, and to-morrow you
+shall be hanged."  The Frenchmen did marvels of valour, but they
+could not stand against the multitude of their enemies, and were
+constrained to take refuge within the Tower.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+OF GUY OF BURGUNDY
+
+The Frenchmen, being now safe in the Tower, refreshed themselves with
+food, for they had fasted long, as has been told.  As they sat at
+meat, came Floripas and said to them, "Tell me now; where is Guy of
+Burgundy, that was to be my husband?  I saw him sally forth out of
+the gates with you; has he returned with you?"  Roland answered her:
+"Floripas, think not that you will see him again.  The pagans took
+him out of our hands, notwithstanding all that we could do; and how
+he will fare in their hands we know not."  When Floripas heard these
+words, she fell down as one dead.  When she came to herself she cried
+aloud with a lamentable voice: "Lords of France, if Guy be not given
+back to me I will give up this Tower to my father before two days are
+over."  Then Roland comforted her saying, "Be not troubled, lady, you
+shall see Sir Guy again in no long time.  This also I say.  You will
+not bring him back by weeping and lamenting.  Be strong now, and take
+comfort, and also, for you are weak with long fasting, eat of this
+food."  Then Floripas and her ladies were content, and took something
+to eat.
+
+Meantime Guy was brought before the Admiral.  He was much changed in
+face, being pale and wasted, seeing that he had not eaten for three
+days.  Also he was troubled to think of the danger in which he stood.
+He had been spoiled also of his arms.  For all this it was manifest
+that he was a very gallant knight.  Balan asked him his name and
+country.  Guy answered: "Admiral, I will tell the truth without fear.
+I am Guy of Burgundy, subject to King Charles, and cousin to Roland
+the Valiant."
+
+The Admiral answered, "I know you over well, Sir Guy.  For seven
+months past my daughter has had great love for you, a thing which is
+most displeasing to me.  Verily for this cause I have lost many good
+men, that you and your companions have slain.  But tell me truly who
+are these knights that were with you in the Castle?"  Then Guy told
+him the names of the knights, the last of all being the name of Duke
+Basyn.  "Him," said he, "you have slain, but be assured that you will
+pay right dearly for his death."  When he said these words, a Saracen
+that stood by smote him on the mouth so that the blood gushed out.
+Thereat Guy was greatly moved with anger, so that he lay hold of the
+Saracen by the hair with one hand and with the other hand smote him
+upon the bone of his neck so fiercely that the man fell down dead
+before the Admiral.
+
+At this deed the Admiral was greatly enraged, and cried out that Guy
+should be closely bound.  At which word all the Saracens that were in
+the chamber fell upon him and beat him so sorely that he would have
+been shortly slain, but that the Admiral himself cried out that he
+was not to be put to death in such a fashion.  Then the Saracens
+bound his hands, and the Admiral bade his men fetch Brullant and
+Sortibrant and others of his council.  "Friends," said the Admiral,
+"advise me what I shall do with this prisoner who sets me at nought
+most shamefully."  Sortibrant said, "I will give you good counsel
+concerning him.  Set up a gallows-tree near to the moat of the Tower
+in which the French knights abide, and make as if you were going to
+hang this prisoner.  But first cause that a thousand Turks well armed
+and fit for battle be hidden in a secret place near to the said tree.
+Be sure that the Frenchmen, when they shall see that their comrade is
+about to be hanged will come forth to succour him, and when they be
+come, then shall your Turks that are in ambush fall on them and take
+them."
+
+This counsel pleased the Admiral much.  He caused, therefore, the
+gallows-tree to be set up, as Sortibrant had advised, and set the
+Turks in ambush, more than a thousand, that the thing might be made
+more sure.  After this he bade thirty Saracens lead Guy to the tree,
+beating him sorely with their staves the while.  His hands were bound
+behind his back, and there was a great rope about his neck, and he
+knew himself to be in evil case.  He did not cease to commend himself
+to God; also he cried out to the Barons of France, and especially to
+Roland, that they should help him.
+
+Now Roland stood at a window whence he could see the gallows-tree set
+up.  And he said to his comrades, "What means, think you, this
+gallows-tree that these Saracens are setting up?"  Then the others
+looked, and the Duke Naymes said, "Without doubt they are about to
+hang our comrade Guy of Burgundy."  He had scarcely spoken when they
+saw Guy led by the Saracens, bound and stripped.  Floripas also saw
+this thing, and cried to the Knights, "Oh, my lords, will you suffer
+Guy that is your comrade to be thus shamefully done to death before
+your eyes?  If he perish in this fashion I will leap from this window
+and so die."  And she came to Roland and kneeled before him, and
+kissed his feet, and cried to him, "O, Sir, help this Guy whom I
+love, or else I am a lost woman.  Arm yourselves, I pray you, and I
+will cause your horses to be made ready, so, if God pleases, you will
+be in good time."  Then Roland and his fellows armed themselves in
+great haste, and went forth from the Tower, and mounted their horses.
+And Roland said to them, "Let us now keep together as much as may be,
+and be ready to help each other as each may be in need, for otherwise
+we shall hardly win back to this place, for we are but ten in number,
+and they are many."
+
+Floripas said, "My lords, I pray you not to tarry, but first I will
+bring you the Crown of Thorns."  So she went to her chamber and
+brought therefrom the Holy Crown.  This all the knights kissed with
+much reverence, and so issued forth from the Tower with a good
+courage.  When they were gone, Floripas and her damsel lifted the
+bridge and shut fast the gates of the Tower.
+
+The Frenchmen rode in good order towards the place where, the
+gallows-tree was set up, the Saracens being busied with Guy whom they
+had now brought thereto, with the rope round his neck.  When Roland
+saw this, he cried out, "Hold, traitors; this thing shall not fall
+out as you hope.  You have begun a deed of which you shall surely
+repent."  Thereupon he charged at them with such fierceness that the
+hardiest of them turned to fly; yet they fled not so fast but that
+Roland killed twenty out of the thirty.  When the Saracens that lay
+in ambush saw this, they rose up from the place where they lay hid, a
+certain Conifer, a pagan of marvellous strength, being their leader.
+This Conifer cried out, "Ho, ye French knaves, come you to succour
+this malefactor?  Verily you shall be hanged along with him."  Roland
+was very wroth to hear such villainous words, and charged fierce as a
+hungry wolf, with his sword Durendal drawn in his hand.  Nor did
+Conifer for his part draw back, for he was a great warrior.  He dealt
+a great blow on Roland's shield that went nigh to beat it down.
+Nevertheless Roland slew him, cleaving his head in twain.  This done
+he ran to the gallows and cut the cords with which Guy was bound, and
+afterwards stood by him till he had armed himself.  This he did,
+taking the dead pagan's arms and mounting on his horse.  But this was
+not easily done, for all the Saracens that had lain in ambush were
+coming upon them, and they were sore pressed.
+
+But Guy wrought marvels of valour, as one who having narrowly escaped
+from death, fought with great cheerfulness of heart.  Floripas also,
+who stood at a window of the Tower, saw him, and cried out to him
+that he should bear himself as a man.  When Ogier the Dane heard
+this, he said to his comrades, "Hark to this noble damsel, how
+bravely she bears herself.  We will not go back to the Tower till we
+have done all that was in our mind to do."  Then they charged the
+Saracens yet again; Roland being still in the front, and driving the
+pagans before him, for they flew from him on all sides.  Thence the
+Frenchmen made their way to the bridge and so again into the Tower.
+
+When the Admiral perceived this, he was much troubled, and asked his
+counsellors again for advice.  Sortibrant said to him, "Let every man
+that is here present make himself ready for battle and let all the
+siege engines be prepared, and all the trumpeters stand prepared to
+blow a great blast on their trumpets.  The Frenchmen are but few, and
+when they shall be aware of this great multitude they will be
+overcome with fear."  To him Brullant answered: "My friend, this that
+you say is but folly.  You will not frighten these Frenchmen in this
+fashion, no, not though we had all the horns and trumpets in the
+world.  Is not Roland there, the mightiest knight that now lives, who
+slays any man that dares to join in battle with him?  They are all
+great warriors, but Roland is of such greatness that if the rest were
+his match they would drive the Saracens out of Spain.  There is no
+man that could stand against them, and as for our gods, it is long
+since they have given us any help."  The Admiral was very angry to
+hear such talk and would have struck Brullant with his staff, but
+Sortibrant held both his arms, "Let be your anger; we should do
+better to take counsel together how we may break down this Tower that
+the Christians hold."
+
+Then the Admiral gathered all his men together, so many in number
+that they covered the ground a mile every way.  But of more avail
+than all these multitudes was a certain magician, by name Mahon.  He
+had two siege-engines of marvellous power, which were so contrived
+that they who worked them could not be hurt by the enemy.
+
+Thus did the Saracens gain possession of the first defences of the
+Tower; yet having won them, they could not long hold them, for the
+French knights did their part right bravely, hurling down from the
+upper parts stones and darts, and all kinds of missiles, and these so
+strongly that no man could stand against them.  The maidens also
+armed themselves, and did the like.
+
+But the magician had yet other devices to use against the Christians.
+He said to the Admiral, "Let me have some of your men to wait on me,
+and I will speedily deliver these Christians into your hand."  And
+when he had made all things ready, he discharged out of his engines
+against the walls a fire so marvellous that the very stones began to
+burn.  The Frenchmen were sorely dismayed at this, and began to say
+to each other that they must now surely quit the Tower.  But Floripas
+said to them, "My lords, be not afraid.  I have something wherewith
+to quench the fire."  Then she went and took certain herbs, and mixed
+them in wine, and the knights threw the wine on the fire, and it was
+quenched immediately.
+
+When the Admiral saw this he was out of his wits with anger, and when
+Sortibrant told him that this was of his daughter's doing, he vowed
+that she should die an evil death.  Then said Sortibrant, "Bid your
+horns and trumpets sound again, and send your men to attack the Tower
+once more.  By this time the Frenchmen must be so wearied that they
+will be overcome.  And they have neither stones nor iron to cast at
+us."  Thereupon the Saracens made yet another assault on the Tower;
+so fierce was it that the air was as it were dark with arrows and
+darts and stones, great portions of the walls fell down, and the
+knights were greatly troubled.  "Now," said they, "we must needs be
+vanquished, for our defence is broken down."  But Floripas bade them
+be of good courage.  "My lords," said she, "this Tower is yet strong
+enough to hold out.  Besides, though you have no more stone or iron,
+yet my father's treasure is here, wedges and plates of gold,
+wherewith you may slay the pagans as well as with stones, aye and
+better too."  Thereupon Guy of Burgundy, in great joy, kissed her.
+
+Then Floripas, going to the treasure-house, showed the gold to the
+knights.  This they took and cast against the Saracens, to their
+great discomfiture.  Moreover, the Saracens, when they saw the gold,
+left off fighting against the French, and began to slay each other.
+The Admiral, when he saw this, cried with a loud voice to his
+captains, "Cease now from the assault, for it turns to my great loss;
+see now how my treasure which I have gathered with much pains is
+scattered about.  This treasure I had entrusted to the keeping of
+Mahomet my god, and see how he has failed me.  Verily, if I could but
+have him in my hands, he should suffer pains for this!"  Sortibrant
+said to him, "Be not angry, my lord, with Mahomet.  He has done as
+well as it lay with him to do; doubtless he was asleep when your
+treasures were spoiled.  These Frenchmen are so crafty that they can
+do what they will."
+
+That same night, as the Admiral sat at his supper, Roland spied him
+from a window where he lay to rest himself.  He said to his comrades,
+"I see Balan at his supper with his lords; he is taking his ease, and
+it would be to our great honour if we make him rise up from his
+meat."  The other lords were of the same opinion.  They armed
+themselves therefore, and issued forth from the Tower.  But the
+Admiral was aware of their purpose, and he sent against them his
+nephew, Espoulart by name, who was a very strong and valiant knight.
+Espoulart rode against the Frenchmen, and encountering Roland smote
+him on the shield so great a blow that he was well-nigh stunned, but
+his flesh was not wounded.  Roland, in his turn, unhorsed him, but
+the Saracen was so nimble that forthwith he mounted his horse again.
+But Roland smote him again, and so sharply that the man wist not
+where he was.  As he was falling to the ground Roland caught him
+right deftly, and laid him across his horse and carried him away.
+
+When the Admiral saw this he cried out in a great rage that they
+should rescue his nephew.  This the Saracens would willingly have
+done, but they could not; many were hurt and many slain, and at last
+all the Frenchmen escaped into the Tower.  When they had shut-to the
+gates they asked Floripas who he was that they had taken.  Floripas
+said to them, "This is Balan's nephew, a rich man and a powerful.  If
+ye would vex my father, put him to death."  The Duke Naymes answered,
+"Nay, we will not put him to death.  We will keep him, and if should
+happen that one of us be taken prisoner, we will make an exchange."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+OF RICHARD OF NORMANDY
+
+On a certain day after these things Richard of Normandy said to his
+fellows, "How long are we to abide shut up in this Tower?  I am sure
+that at the last we must perish by the hands of these Saracens.  It
+would be well, therefore, that we send a messenger to King Charles,
+telling him that if he would not have us perish he must send us
+help."  The Duke Naymes said, "This, Sir Richard, is but foolishly
+spoken.  There is no man here that will dare take this message.  Know
+you not that the whole land is covered with the Saracens, so that as
+soon as the messenger is parted from us he will be slain by them?"
+And Floripas said, "My lords, you are safe while you abide in this
+place; make yourselves, therefore, as happy as you can."  But Duke
+Thierry was ill-content with such counsel, "We are shut in here, my
+lords," said he, "and our happiness must be but brief.  Let us inform
+the King of our condition, that he may come to our help."
+
+Ogier the Dane answered as the Duke Naymes had answered, that there
+was no man who would go on such an errand.  "Nay," cried Roland, "say
+not so.  I will go."  But the Duke Naymes answered, "That would be
+ill done, Sir Roland; you must not go hence; the Saracens would not
+have so much fear of us by a half as now they have if you were gone."
+Then others proffered to go, as William the Scot, and Gerard, and Guy
+of Burgundy, this last being willing with all his heart, but Floripas
+would not suffer it.
+
+At last Richard of Normandy spake thus: "My lords, you know that I am
+nobly born, and that I have a son of full age to bear arms, and fit
+to stand in my place.  Now if it should chance that I am slain in
+taking this message, this my son would hold my heritage and do
+service to King Charles."  So it was concluded that Richard of
+Normandy should take the message to the King.  Roland said to him,
+"Sir Richard, promise now that you will not tarry in any place till
+you come to the King, saving if you should be hurt or taken
+prisoner."  And Duke Richard promised it should be so.  Having so
+promised, he said, "Let us consider now how I may get away from this
+place unseen of the-men-at-arms, for if they espy me I cannot escape."
+
+Roland said, "My counsel is this.  Let us sally forth from the Tower,
+and assault the Saracens with all our might, and while they are
+busied with us then shall Duke Richard steal away, for he well knows
+the country."  To this they all agreed, not without tears, for they
+knew that the Duke had taken upon himself a very perilous enterprise.
+
+The next day, when this thing should have been done, the French lords
+found that the gates of the Tower were so closely beset by a
+multitude of Saracens that no man could by any means go forth.  And
+this was so for the space of two whole months.  At the end of this
+time, the Admiral having gone a-hunting, and the watch of the bridge
+being negligently kept, the knights mounted their horses and issued
+forth.  So soon as they were seen of the Saracens, there was a great
+blowing of horns and trumpets, and a multitude of men ran together to
+do battle with the knights.  While they were so engaged Duke Richard
+secretly departed.  After the Duke had ridden awhile, the road being
+very steep, for it was on the side of a mountain, his horse was
+sorely spent, and he was constrained to halt.  And as he halted two
+of the Saracens, to wit Sortibrant and Brullant, espied him, and said
+to King Clarion, who was a very notable warrior, "See you, Sire, that
+man yonder.  Of a truth he is one of the Frenchmen that are shut up
+in the Tower yonder.  Without a doubt he is taking a message to
+Charlemagne.  Now, if we do not hinder him in this his journey it may
+well turn to our great loss."  When King Clarion heard this he armed
+himself without delay, and mounted on his beast--a marvellous beast
+that could gallop thirty leagues and not grow weary--and pursued
+after Duke Richard, and other Saracens went with him.
+
+When Duke Richard, looking behind him, saw the Saracens following
+him, he was greatly troubled, for what could one man do against so
+many?  Nor was it long before the pursuers came up with him, King
+Clarion leading them.  The King said, "By Mahomet, you shall never
+deliver this message."  Duke Richard spoke him fair, "What trespass
+have I done?  I have never offended you or taken your treasure.
+Suffer me, therefore, to go in peace.  Render me this service, and be
+sure that I will repay it many fold."  But Clarion answered, "I would
+not do this, no not for half the treasure of the world."
+
+When he heard this, Duke Richard turned to meet the enemy.  King
+Clarion smote him on the shield, but could not break it through, so
+stiff and strong was it.  But the Duke, on the other hand, smote him
+full on the neck, and shore off his head cleanly with one blow.  It
+flew a whole spear's length, so great was the stroke.  Then the Duke,
+leaving his own horse, took King Clarion's for himself; never before
+had he ridden such a horse, so strong was it and so swift.  He could
+have borne seven knights in armour, and never sweated a drop; as for
+swimming rivers, there never was beast like him.  Then the Duke said
+to his own horse, "Farewell, my good horse; I am grieved that I
+cannot take thee when I will.  God in heaven help thee to escape
+these Pagans, and come again into the hands of Christian men, whom
+thou mayst faithfully serve in great straits, even as thou hast
+served me."  So saying he went on his way.
+
+When the other Saracens came up and found King Clarion lying dead
+upon the ground they made great lamentation over him.  Some would
+have taken Duke Richard's horse, but the beast would not suffer them
+to come near him but galloped as fast as he could to the place from
+which he had come.  And, indeed, thither he came in a very short
+space of time.  First the Admiral saw him, and cried aloud, "Now by
+Apollyon my god, this is well done of Clarion my nephew; without
+doubt he has slain the messenger of the Frenchmen, for see his horse
+is coming."  And he bade his men catch the horse.  But this they
+could not do, for the creature won its way to the gates of the Tower,
+and these the knights opened to receive him, lamenting much, for they
+had no doubt but that Duke Richard had been slain.  Nevertheless,
+Floripas bade them be of good cheer.  "Stay your tears," she said;
+"as yet you know not the whole matter."
+
+Meanwhile the Saracens that had accompanied King Clarion came back,
+bearing with them the King's body.  When the Admiral saw it he
+swooned, not once only but four times, so that he seemed like to a
+dead man.  The Saracens stood about, and made a great lamentation, so
+that the Barons began to take heart again, and Floripas, being well
+acquainted with the Saracen tongue, said, "Now I perceive the truth.
+Duke Richard has slain this man and taken his horse, for indeed there
+is no better horse in all the world.  This lamentation that you hear
+is for this ill fortune."
+
+All the Barons were glad when they heard these words, and Oliver said
+to Roland, "Now this is good news.  I am sure in my mind that we
+shall safely return home.  I had not been more sure had I been in the
+strongest castle in all France.  God bless Duke Richard, for he has
+borne himself right bravely."  And all the other knights agreed to
+his speech.
+
+Meanwhile the Admiral called to him one of his favourites, by name
+Orage, saying to him, "Now take a dromedary and ride with all speed
+to Gallafer that keeps the Bridge of Mantryble, and say to him from
+me, 'You suffered the messengers of King Charles to pass over,
+whereby I have suffered great damage.  And now there goes a messenger
+to the King from the knights that are shut up in this Tower; wherein
+if you fail, you shall pay for it with your life.'"  Orage said to
+the Admiral, "I will do your bidding with all speed, for I can take
+in one day such a journey as other men take in four."  And he
+departed forthwith on his dromedary.
+
+When he came to the Bridge Mantryble, he said to Gallafer, "The
+Admiral is ill content with you, because you suffered the messengers
+of King Charles to cross the bridge.  They have done him great
+damage, holding his chief Tower, and therein his gods and Floripas
+his daughter, and have slain many of his servants.  And now there
+comes a messenger from these same men, who is on his way to
+Charlemagne to seek for help.  Keep him, therefore, from crossing the
+bridge, which thing if you fail to do, you will surely die
+shamefully."  When he heard these words, Gallafer, the giant, was
+greatly enraged, and made as if he would smite Orage with a staff,
+but they that stood by hindered him.  Then he mounted to the top of
+the Tower, and sounded his trumpet, so that many thousands of men
+assembled.  Also the drawbridge was lifted.
+
+Meanwhile Duke Richard considered within himself by what means he
+might cross the bridge, and was in great perplexity, "for," said he,
+"I do not see how I may win forward, nor may I return, and so fail in
+my promise to Roland.  Now may God help me in my need."  And looking
+about him, he saw how the whole land was covered with multitudes of
+Saracens, of whom some were now but a little space behind him.  The
+foremost of these called to him with a loud voice, saying, "Now turn
+you, Sir Messenger, for your hour is come."
+
+Duke Richard was ill content to hear such boasting, and, turning
+himself quickly, came upon him unawares and smote him so grievously
+that he fell dead to the earth.  Then he took the Saracen's horse by
+the bridle and rode down to the river's bank.  And lo! the stream ran
+as swiftly as a bolt from a cross-bow, with a noise like to thunder.
+And when he saw this and heard the roaring of the water, he commended
+himself to God.
+
+While he looked, lo! a white hart came to the river-side, and the
+river, which before had been so much below the bank as a man may
+conveniently cast a stone, began to rise, and so continued till it
+came to the very top of the bank and even overflowed it.  Thereupon
+the white hart entered the water, and Richard, commending himself to
+the protection of God, did the same, and swam safely to the other
+side.
+
+Meanwhile King Charles, being in great trouble about the knights whom
+he had sent with a message to the Admiral of Spain, called together
+his counsellors and told them what was in his mind, saying, "I am
+greatly troubled because that no report has come to me concerning the
+knights that I sent.  I know not what to do, save that I will put off
+this crown, which I am not worthy to bear."  Said Ganelon, "My lord,
+I will give you good counsel.  Let us return forthwith to France.
+This town of Aygremore is too strong for us.  And the Admiral is a
+great warrior, and has also all the Saracens and Pagans in the world
+to help him.  And now that Fierabras, his son, has been made a
+Christian by you, he is even more evilly disposed to you than he was
+before.  Let us therefore go back to France.  It is true that many
+valiant peers and knights have perished, but they have left children
+behind them, and these, when they have grown to man's estate, will do
+those things wherein their fathers have failed.  So shall we recover
+the Holy Things, for which, indeed, I feel great sorrow, and avenge
+also Roland, the good knight whom I am persuaded you will never see
+more."
+
+When the King heard this he fell into a swoon for the space of an
+hour.  When he came to himself he asked his lords again for counsel,
+for he was loath to go back and leave Roland and the other Peers
+without help.
+
+But Ganelon and all that were of his kindred, and all that followed
+him, gave him the same counsel as before.  "There are twenty thousand
+of us," said Ganelon, "that have sworn not to go any further."  But
+the King said, "What shall my crown profit me, if I do this base
+thing, and leave these my knights to perish without help!  He that
+gives me such counsel loves me but little."  Then said Reyner, that
+was father to Oliver, "Sire, if you listen to these men you will do
+this realm of France such damage as may never be undone."  But Aloys,
+one of the friends of Ganelon, answered, "You lie, Duke Reyner; were
+it not that the King is here, this is the last word that you should
+say.  For indeed who are you that you take so much upon yourself?
+Your father was a man of low estate."  Then Reyner waxed so wroth
+that he smote Aloys to the ground.  Thereupon there was great tumult
+and quarrelling, and there would have been bloodshed had not the King
+been there.  "For," said Charles, "any man that shall draw sword in
+this place shall be hanged as a thief, though he be of the highest
+estate."  So after a while the King, Fierabras helping, made peace,
+but "first," said he, "Aloys that spake so scornfully of Duke Reyner
+must crave pardon."  And this Aloys did, but sorely against his will.
+Nevertheless the counsel of those who were for going back prevailed;
+for Geoffrey of the High Tower, than whom there was no man more
+worshipful in the King's court, was urgent that it should be so.
+Then the King consented, but with much sorrow, and all the nobler
+sort among his lords were greatly troubled that this should be done.
+So the signal of retreat was given.
+
+Scarcely had the army set forth, when King Charles, chancing to cast
+his eyes eastward, saw one on horseback, with a sword drawn in his
+hand, that was riding with all the speed to which he could put his
+horse.  Thereupon he called a halt, "for," said he, "if my eyes fail
+me not, this is Richard of Normandy.  God grant that he brings
+tidings of Roland and of the other Peers!"
+
+As soon as Duke Richard was come to where he stood, the King asked
+him concerning Roland and the Peers.  Then Duke Richard told him that
+they yet lived; also he told him concerning Floripas and the Holy
+Things, but that the knights were straitly besieged.  "Can they hold
+out," said Charles, "six days?  If so they shall be delivered."  "It
+may be," answered Richard.  "But they have no victual save what they
+can win with their swords; the Admiral also has a mighty host of
+Saracens about the Tower."  Also he told him about the bridge
+Mantryble, and of the great giant that kept it.  "This bridge," said
+he, "we must pass by subtlety, for by force we cannot.  Now I have
+devised a plan by which this may be done.  Let some of us clothe
+ourselves as merchants, having our armour and arms under our cloaks,
+and let the rest hide themselves in a wood hard by, and be ready
+armed for battle.  So when we shall have gained the first gate, I
+will blow on my horn, and at this signal you shall ride up with all
+the speed you may."
+
+The King greatly approved this counsel.  Thereupon five hundred
+knights disguised themselves as merchants.  They made great bundles
+of hay and grass, which was to serve as merchandise.  Every man also
+was well armed under his cloak.  Duke Richard was their leader, and
+with him was Duke Reyner and others of great repute.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+HOW THE BRIDGE MANTRYBLE WAS WON
+
+When King Charles and his men had hidden themselves in a wood that
+was hard by, Duke Richard and his company came to the bridge, driving
+pack-horses before them, laden, as has been said, with false
+merchandise.  But when the knights saw the River Flagot, how swiftly
+it ran and with how great a roaring, and the bridge how perilous it
+was to pass, and the gates how they were barred with iron, they were
+not a little troubled.  Richard said, "I will go before.  Do you
+follow me, and when you have passed the first gate throw off your
+cloaks and smite with your swords.  And whatever may happen, see that
+you fail not one another."  And to this they all agreed.
+
+Gallafer, the keeper of the bridge, stood by the first gate holding a
+great axe in his hand that had an edge on every side.  He was a giant
+of great stature, with fiery eyes and skin as black as pitch, more
+like to a devil than to a man.  The Admiral was his nephew, and loved
+him greatly, trusting him so that he made him warder of the bridge
+and ruler of all the countryside.
+
+When the French knights came near he said to them, "Strangers, who
+are you?"  Duke Richard answered, "We are merchants who travel to the
+fairs, Mahomet helping us, with drapery and other goods for sale.  We
+would fain tarry awhile at Aygremore; also we have gifts, many and
+precious, for the Admiral.  These others that you see are my
+servants, and know not your language.  Tell me, therefore, what we
+had best do and by what way we should go."  Gallafer answered, "Know
+now that I am appointed by the Admiral of Spain to be keeper of this
+bridge.  And because there have passed over it certain knights who
+paid no toll, and also a messenger who won his way in wonderful
+fashion across the river, and slew also my own kinsman King Clarion,
+my master has straitly charged me that I should not by any means
+suffer any man to pass the bridge unless he be known to me."  When
+Gallafer had said so much, Duke Richard bowed his head to him right
+courteously, and having so done, passed through the first gate, three
+others, of whom Duke Reyner was one, following him.
+
+When Gallafer saw them he doubted what this might mean.  "You are
+overbold," said he, "to come so far without leave of me."  And he
+drew up the bridge.  "And now," said he, "do you four surrender
+yourselves.  I will send you prisoners to my lord the Admiral, who
+will deal with you as he shall please.  And now let me see what you
+have under your cloaks, for you seem to me to have some evil design."
+When he had so spoken he laid hold of one of the four, and turned him
+about four times.  Then another, Raoul by name, who was cousin to him
+on whom Gallafer had laid hands, cried, "Why do you deal so with my
+kinsmen?"  And he struck at the giant with his sword, but could not
+hurt him, save to cut off a portion of his ear.  Thereupon the two
+dukes, Reyner and Richard, drawing their swords, smote him with all
+their might.  But they also availed nought, for the giant was clad in
+the skin of a serpent, that was harder than any coat of mail.  The
+giant, on the other hand, smote at Raoul with his axe.  But Raoul saw
+the stroke coming, and leapt lightly aside, so that the axe fell and
+hurt him not; but it cleft a stone of marble on which it lighted into
+two parts.  Then said Duke Reyner, "What shall we do with this giant,
+for a sword avails nothing against him?"  And he took in his hand the
+great branch of a tree, and smote him to the ground.  Thereat the
+giant made a great and terrible cry, and the Saracens that followed
+him came running.  Thereupon Richard let fall the drawbridge, and the
+five hundred sought to pass over it.
+
+But the Saracens met them at the gate, and there was a great fight,
+wherein many were wounded and many slain.  Then Duke Richard sounded
+his horn three times.  When King Charles heard it he rose up
+forthwith from his ambush in the wood, and all the Frenchmen with
+him, and made for the bridge with all the speed they might use.  And
+foremost of all was Ganelon, that was afterwards the traitor.
+Foremost he was, and gallantly did he bear himself that day.  King
+Charles also showed himself a good man-at-arms.  They died that day
+whomsoever he smote with his good sword Joyous.
+
+The King saw the giant Gallafer on the ground with his great axe in
+his hand wherewith he had slain thirty Frenchmen, and he commanded
+that he should be slain, for he yet breathed.  But not yet was the
+bridge won, for a great multitude of Saracens came up to help them
+that kept it.  Among them was a giant, Amyon by name, who called to
+King Charles, saying, "Where is the King?  It were better for him,
+dotard that he is, to be at Paris than here."
+
+When the King heard this he dismounted in great wrath, and ran at the
+giant, and smote him with Joyous so rudely that he fell to the ground
+nigh cut in twain.  At this the Saracens were not a little
+confounded.  Nevertheless, they pressed upon the King and his men
+with darts and bullets and arrows.  Then the King cried to his lords
+and knights for help.  Many answered his call; nevertheless he was so
+hard pressed that there was scarce any hope left to him.  Then the
+Duke Richard bade him be of good cheer, "for," said he, "if every man
+will but do his utmost this day we shall not fail."  And he pressed
+on, and his comrades with him.  Nor did Ganelon hold back, though
+there were some that gave him evil counsel, as Aloys, who said to
+him, "See, now, how the King is beset.  It were well for us if he
+should not find deliverance.  Leave him now, and let us go back to
+France, where we shall be masters without contradiction from any
+man."  But Ganelon answered, "Now, may God forbid that we should
+betray our lord, of whom we hold all that we possess."  Aloys said,
+"You are but a fool, seeing that you will not take your revenge when
+you may."  But Ganelon would have none of his counsel.
+
+As these two were talking, Fierabras came up, being now healed of his
+wounds, and asked where was the King.  Aloys answered, "He is within
+the gate, and I take it by this time that he is dead."  Fierabras
+cried, "What do you standing here?  Why do you not help him in his
+need?"  And he cried out, "Come all of you to the help of the King!"
+and a great multitude of Frenchmen came at his call.  Great deeds did
+Fierabras that day, and Ganelon also, so that they two did more than
+any other to win the town.
+
+Nevertheless there yet remained something to be done.  For when
+Amyot, the giantess that was wife to Amyon, heard the cry of the
+townsfolk, she ran forth from her house, having a sharp scythe in her
+hand, and fell upon the Frenchmen in a great rage, and slew many of
+them.  When King Charles saw what destruction she wrought he called
+for a cross-bow, and shot a bolt at her, aiming it so nicely that it
+struck her between the brows and slew her.  It was seen that as she
+lay upon the earth she vomited forth fire from her throat, but she
+never moved more.
+
+So the town of Mantryble was won.  King Charles found much treasure
+therein, which the Admiral had laid up there, trusting that it should
+never be taken.  Of this he made a bountiful distribution to his
+army, so that all were well content.  This done, he appointed Havel
+and Raoul to keep the town, with five thousand men under them.  Also
+he caused all his army to be assembled, and went to the top of a hill
+to survey them.  And when he saw how many there were--for there were
+a hundred thousand men--he thanked God that had given him such power.
+And he made ready to march against the Admiral.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+OF THE END OF BALAN THE ADMIRAL
+
+Meanwhile it was told Balan that Gallafer had been slain and the
+Bridge Mantryble taken.  He was as one out of his wits with rage,
+and, crying out to his god Mahomet that he was accursed and recreant,
+he smote the image with a club that he held in his two hands and
+brake it down.  Nor was this ill done, seeing that such things are of
+no use or profit.  Nevertheless Sortibrant reproved him, and bade him
+repent of such injurious deeds.  "That cannot I do," answered the
+Admiral, "seeing that this Charles has won my strong city of
+Mantryble."  Sortibrant said, "Send a spy, Sir Admiral, that you may
+know what King Charles is doing; afterwards, let us march together
+against him, and if we prevail over him then shall you hang him and
+his people without mercy, and you shall cut off the head of your son
+Fierabras, for the help that he has given your enemies."
+
+This the Admiral said that he would do.  First he humbled himself
+before his gods, and vowed that he would offer to them a thousand
+pounds of fine gold.  This done, he bade the trumpets sound to gather
+together the Saracens.  These brought great engines of war with which
+to throw great stones against the Tower.  And this they did to such
+good purpose that they made three great breaches in the wall by the
+least of which a cart might have passed.  But Roland and Oliver stood
+over with their shields and stopped the way.  Then cried the Admiral,
+"Friends, if you would have my love, do your duty, and bring this
+Tower to the ground.  Verily, when I shall have taken it, I will burn
+with fire this ill daughter of mine, Floripas."
+
+When they heard these words the Saracens came on more fiercely than
+ever.  And now the Frenchmen held but the last portion only of the
+Tower.  Then Roland bade his comrades fight with good courage, "or,"
+said he, "we shall not overlive this day."  As for Oliver, he was for
+sallying forth.  "It were better," said he, "to fall honourably in
+the midst of our enemies than to be done to death in this place."
+And Ogier the Dane and other lords were of the same mind.  But
+Floripas would not that they should do this.  "You promised," said
+she, "that you would do nothing against my will.  And I bid you stay
+within."  And this they did, holding the breaches as best they might,
+and driving back the Saracens.
+
+After a while Balan saw his daughter where she stood at a window with
+certain of the knights, and reproached her for her disobedience, and
+threatened that he would burn her with fire.  But she answered
+nothing, only shook a stick that she had in her hand as if she would
+have beaten him.  Then the Saracens, at his bidding, assaulted the
+Tower yet more fiercely, and the Frenchmen took the idols that were
+in the Tower, images of Apollo and Mahomet and others, and threw them
+down upon the Saracens to their great damage.  When he saw this Balan
+swooned with rage, but, coming to himself, bade the Saracens assault
+the Tower yet again with all their might.  And this they did so
+fiercely that the Frenchmen were well-nigh in despair.
+
+When they were in this strait the Duke Naymes, going to an upper
+window in the Tower, saw the ensign of St. Denis in the valley
+beneath, and called to his fellows that they also should come and see
+it, "for," said he, "without doubt the King is coming to help us."
+The Saracens also perceived it; whereupon King Coldro counselled the
+Admiral that he should send an army to hinder him from coming to
+Aygremore.
+
+That day the King and his army lodged in the open field, for their
+tents they had left at Mantryble.  In the morning the King sent for
+Fierabras and said to him, "Dear friend, now that you have been
+baptized, I love you better than before.  If, then, your father
+consents to be baptized and to deny Mahomet and his false gods I will
+establish him in his kingdom, and take not a penny of his goods.  But
+if he will not, then shall he die without mercy."  And he asked
+counsel of his Peers whom he should send with this message to the
+Admiral.  Said Richard of Normandy, "Ganelon would do this errand as
+well as any man, should he be willing."
+
+So King Charles sent for Ganelon, and gave him the message to be
+delivered to the Admiral; and Ganelon was well content to go.  He
+armed himself, therefore, and mounted his horse that was named
+Gascon, and went his way.  When he came to the valley where the army
+of the Saracens lay, the guards laid hold of him, but perceiving that
+he carried a message, straightway let him go.  So coming to the tent
+wherein the Admiral abode, he spake with a loud voice: "The noble
+Charles, King of France, sends this message: If you will renounce
+Mahomet and all false gods and receive the true faith, you shall keep
+all your land and worship, and shall be honoured and loved of all
+Christian men.  But if you will not, then you shall surely die."  So
+Ganelon spoke.  But Balan, when he heard these words, was very wroth,
+and made as if he would strike him.  Then Ganelon drew his sword and
+smote Brullant where he stood by the Admiral's side, and, leaping on
+his horse, rode away.
+
+The Duke Naymes saw him from a window in the Tower, and said to
+Roland and Oliver, "Who is this knight that rides so fast."  They
+judged that he was none other than Ganelon, and Roland cried aloud,
+"God grant that he fall not into the hands of the enemy."  And as he
+spoke, Ganelon turned upon the Saracens, and slew two of them, of
+whom the brother of King Sortibrant was one.  When Oliver saw this he
+said to Roland, "See you this?  That is a good knight.  I love him in
+my heart.  Would God I were with him where he is."  But when the
+Saracens came near to the army of the King they left chasing Ganelon.
+
+When the King knew how his message had sped he commanded that they
+should set the army in array.  This they did, parting it into ten
+divisions.  The Saracens also prepared for battle.  And first
+Brullant rode forth and challenged the King to combat; nor did he
+hold back.  So these two met and the King slew Brullant, and many
+other Saracens also.  Nor did the Saracens lack great warriors, such
+as King Tenebres, a famous Turk, who slew John of Pontoise and many
+others.  But him Duke Richard overthrew; Duke Reyner slew Sortibrant;
+and Balan the Admiral slew Huon of Milan, and went near to slaying
+Milon, but that Ganelon and his men saved him, though not without
+much damage to themselves.  Nor, indeed, would they have so prevailed
+but for the help of Fierabras.
+
+And now the knights that were in the Tower, seeing the army of their
+countrymen, came forth, and taking each man a horse, whose rider had
+been slain, charged the Saracens.  These being taken, as it were,
+both before and behind, fled, as doves fly before a hawk.  And Balan
+fled with them, but being overtaken was made prisoner.
+
+When the Admiral was brought to Charles, the King said, "Will you
+forsake your false gods, who indeed have profited you nothing, and
+accept the true faith?  If you will do so, you shall suffer nothing,
+either in your person or in your goods."  "Nay," said the Admiral,
+"that will I not."  Then Charles drew his sword and said, "If you
+yield not you die."  And Fierabras, kneeling down, prayed that his
+father might be spared.  Then Balan consented to be baptized.
+Nevertheless, when he came to the font the evil spirit in him
+rebelled, and he spat in the font, and went near to slaying the
+bishop that should have christened him; for he took him by the
+middle, and would have drowned him in the font.  When the King saw
+this he said, "Verily this evil-doer must die."  Nevertheless
+Fierabras entreated him to have patience, and, turning to his father,
+would have persuaded him even yet to baptism.  "Nay," said Balan,
+"that will I never do, and you are a fool, my son, to ask such a
+thing.  Would I were on horseback; then would I show these villains
+what is in my heart."  When the King heard this he said, "Who will
+slay this fellow?"  "That will I," answered Ogier the Dane, and he
+smote off the Admiral's head with a stroke of his sword.
+
+After this said Floripas to Roland, "Sir Knight, remember how you
+promised to help me to that thing which I most desire."  Thereupon
+Roland said to Guy of Burgundy, "Bring to mind the promise which you
+made to Floripas, the Admiral's daughter, that you would take her to
+wife."  "That will I do right willingly," said Guy, "if the King
+consent."
+
+So Floripas was baptized, King Charles and Duke Thierry being her
+sponsors, but her name was not changed.  Afterwards the bishop
+married her to Guy of Burgundy.  As for Guy he was made King of the
+land; part he gave over to Fierabras, who held it of him; but
+Charlemagne was overlord of the whole country.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+HOW GANELON WENT ON AN ERRAND TO KING MARSILAS
+
+For seven years King Charles the Great tarried in Spain.  He
+conquered the whole land from the sea to the mountains, saving
+Saragossa only, of which Marsilas, a heathen, was King.  Marsilas
+called together his nobles, and said to them, "This King Charles will
+be our destruction, for we have no longer an army wherewith to meet
+him.  Give me counsel, as wise men should, so that I may be saved
+from death or disgrace."
+
+Now the wisest of the heathens was a certain Blancandrin, a man
+valiant in war and good at counsel.  "Fear not," said he, "fear not,
+O King.  Send a message to King Charles promising him faithful
+service and friendship.  Send also a present to him.  Let there be
+lions and bears, and dogs, seven hundred camels, and a thousand
+falcons.  Send also four hundred mules laden with gold and silver,
+that King Charles may have wherewithal to pay his soldiers.  And tell
+him that if he will return to France, you will follow him, and there,
+on the Feast of St. Michael, will be converted to the Christian
+Faith, and will be his vassal in all honour.  If he ask for hostages,
+let him have them, ten or twenty, as he may desire.  See, I offer my
+own son to be one of them, whatever may befall him.  Better that they
+should lose their heads than that we should lose our lordship and our
+lands, and be brought to beg our bread."  And all the chiefs of
+heathenry said: "It is well; we will willingly give the hostages."
+
+Blancandrin spake again: "By this right hand and by this beard I
+swear that the end of the matter will be this: You will see the
+French raise their camp in all haste and go back to their own land.
+On the Feast of St. Michael King Charles will make a great
+entertainment.  But when he neither sees you nor hears any tidings of
+you, he will fall into a great rage, and will smite off the heads of
+the hostages.  If it be so, it is better that they should lose their
+heads than that we should lose this fair land of Spain."  And all the
+chiefs of heathenry said: "It is well said; so let it be."
+
+Then said King Marsilas to certain of his lords--ten they were in
+number, and these the most villainous of the whole company--"Take
+olive-branches in your hands, and go and say to King Charles, 'King
+Marsilas prays you to have pity upon him.  He promises that, before a
+month is past he will come with a thousand loyal followers, and will
+receive the faith of Christ, and will become your vassal in all
+honour.  Also he says, that if you seek for hostages you shall have
+them.'"  Then the King gave the ten lords ten white mules, whereon to
+ride.  They had reins of gold and saddles of silver.  So the ten
+lords departed from Saragossa, and came to King Charles at the city
+of Cordova.
+
+[Illustration: THE AMBASSADORS OF KING MARSILAS.]
+
+They found King Charles in great mirth and joyfulness.  He had newly
+taken the fair city of Cordova, having broken down the walls and
+towers with his engines of war, and with the city he had taken a
+great spoil of gold and silver.  Of the people, too, there was not
+one but had to make his choice between Christian baptism and death.
+Now he was sitting with his barons in a great orchard.  Some played
+at cards, and some of the graver sort at chess, and the young men
+fenced with each other.  As for the King himself, he was sitting
+under a thorn on a great chair of gold, a right noble man to see,
+with his long, white beard.  When the heathen ambassadors saw him
+they lighted down from their mules, and paid him homage.  Then said
+their leader, Blancandrin, "Glory to the name of God!  Our master,
+King Marsilas, bids us say that, being persuaded that the law by
+which you live is the law of salvation, he would fain win your favour
+even by the half of his treasures.  He sends therefore lions and
+bears, camels and falcons, four hundred mules laden with gold and
+silver, wherewith you can pay all your soldiers.  Moreover, he says
+that when you shall have returned to your own country he will follow
+you thither, and will be obedient to your law, and do you homage for
+his kingdom of Spain."
+
+When King Charles heard these words he bent his head as one deep in
+thought.  So he tarried awhile, for his speech was never hasty.  At
+last he spoke: "You have said well.  But your King has long been my
+enemy.  How can I trust these promises?"  Blancandrin made answer,
+"You shall have hostages, Sire--ten, fifteen, twenty, as you will.
+My own son shall be one of them, and the others shall be of the
+noblest of the land.  So you may rest assured that at the Feast of
+St. Michael next ensuing my master shall come to you at your palace
+at Aachen, and shall there consent to become a Christian."
+
+"He will do well," said King Charles; "'tis thus only that he shall
+save his soul."  Then he commanded that the white mules should be put
+into stalls, and that a tent should be pitched in the orchard, and
+the ambassadors have such entertainment as was meet.
+
+The day following King Charles rose early, and having heard mass sent
+for his nobles, for he would do nothing without the counsel of the
+wise men of France.  So the nobles came, Ogier the Dane among them,
+and Turpin the Archbishop, and Count Roland, and with him Oliver, his
+closest friend, and Ganelon, the same that was the traitor.
+
+Then said the King, "My lords, King Marsilas has sent an embassy to
+me with many and rich gifts, lions and bears, and camels, and
+abundance of gold and silver.  Only he makes this condition--that I
+go back to France; and he promises that he himself will come thither,
+even to Aachen, and will there profess himself a Christian and also
+do homage for his kingdom.  But whether he speaks the truth, that I
+know not.  What think you, my lords?"
+
+Then stood up the Count Roland, and said, "'Twere madness to trust
+this King Marsilas.  Have we not been in this land of Spain for now
+seven years, and has not this King Marsilas always borne himself as a
+traitor?  Did he not send fifteen of his heathens each with an
+olive-branch in his hand, and did they not make this same profession
+for him?  You took counsel of your nobles, and you sent him--so
+ill-advised were you--two envoys.  What did King Marsilas?  He took
+their heads from them.  What I counsel, Sire, is, that as you have
+begun this war, so you carry it to an end.  Lead your army to
+Saragossa, lay siege to it, spend, if need be, the rest of your days
+before it, but take vengeance for the brave men whom King Marsilas
+did to death."
+
+King Charles sat with his head bowed, and spake no word good or bad.
+Then rose up Ganelon, and said, "Sire, I would have you take no
+advice, except it be to your own advantage.  King Marsilas has sent
+to you, saying that he is ready to profess our faith and to hold the
+kingdom of Spain as your vassal.  He who would have you refuse such
+an offer knows nothing of business affairs.  Counsels of pride are
+not for mortal men.  Have done with folly, and listen to the words of
+the wise."
+
+Then stood up the Duke of Bavaria; snowy white was his beard and
+hair.  King Charles had no better counsellor than he.  "Sire," said
+he, "Ganelon has given you good advice.  You will do well to follow
+it.  You have conquered King Marsilas in this war, taken his castles,
+broken down his walls, burnt his towns, and put his armies to flight.
+Now he begs for mercy from you.  Surely 'twere a crime to ask too
+much.  Remember, too, that he is ready to give you hostages.  Send
+one of your nobles to treat with him, for indeed it is time this war
+should have an end."  So spake the Duke of Bavaria, and all the men
+of France cried out, "The Duke has spoken well."
+
+"But," said King Charles, "whom shall we send?"  "I will go,"
+answered the Duke, "if it so please you.  Give me the gauntlet and
+the staff an ambassador should have."   "Not so," said King Charles,
+"you shall not go.  I would not have so wise a counsellor so far
+away.  Sit you down.  'Tis my command"; and he spake again, "Whom
+shall we send to King Marsilas, my lords?"  "I will go," cried Count
+Roland.  "Nay," said Oliver, "you are of too fiery and fierce a
+spirit.  I fear that you would but ill-manage such a business.  'Tis
+better that I should go, if it so please the King."  "Be silent, both
+of you," said the King, "neither of you shall have a hand in this
+matter.  By this white beard of mine, I declare that no one of the
+Twelve Peers shall go on this embassage."
+
+Then stood up Turpin the Archbishop.  "Sire," said he, "you have been
+in this land of Spain now seven years, and your nobles have suffered
+for your sake many labours and sorrows.  Give me the gauntlet and the
+staff; I will go to this Saracen, and say somewhat to him after my
+own fashion."
+
+But Charles answered him in great anger.  "By this beard you shall
+not do it.  Sit you down again, and speak not till I bid you.  And
+now," he went on, "my lords, choose you for yourselves one who shall
+go on this errand.  Let him be a man of counsel, who can deal a blow
+also, if need should be."
+
+Then said the Count Roland: "Whom should we choose but Ganelon?  You
+cannot find a better than he."  And all the men of France cried: "It
+is right that he should go, if the King will have it so."
+
+Said King Charles to Ganelon: "Come hither, Ganelon, and take this
+gauntlet and this staff.  The voice of the men of France has chosen
+you.  You heard it."  But Ganelon liked not the matter at all.  "This
+is Roland's doing," he cried.  "Never, so long as I live, will I love
+Roland again, no, nor Oliver, for that he is Roland's friend, nor any
+one of the Twelve Peers, for that they also love Roland.  Here, under
+your eyes, Sir King, I defy them all."  "It profits not to be angry,"
+cried King Charles.  "If I bid you, you must go."
+
+"Yes," answered Ganelon; "I perceive that I must go to Saragossa, and
+he that goes thither comes not back.  Remember, Sire, that I have
+your sister to wife.  We have one son; a fairer child you could not
+see.  One day, so he live, he will be a gallant knight.  I leave him
+my lands.  Have a care for him, I entreat you, for I shall never see
+him more."  "You have too soft a heart," said King Charles.  "If I
+bid you, you must go."
+
+Ganelon was in great trouble of mind.  He turned him to Roland, and
+said, "What means your wrath against me?  'Tis you, as all men know,
+that have put on me this errand to King Marsilas.  'Tis well.  But
+know that if God suffer me to return, I will bring upon you such
+trouble and sorrow that you shall remember it all the days of your
+life."  "This is but folly," answered Roland.  "All the world knows
+that I care nothing for your threats.  Nevertheless, seeing that
+there is need of a wise man to take this message of the King's, I am
+ready to go in your stead."
+
+"You shall not go," answered Ganelon.  "You are not my vassal, nor am
+I your lord.  I will go to Saragossa, to King Marsilas.  But be sure
+that there will be something wherewith I may solace myself."  When
+Roland heard this he laughed aloud, and Ganelon grew so full of anger
+that his heart was fain to burst.  "I hate you," said he to
+Roland,--"I hate you! for you have made this evil choice light on
+me."  But to Charles he said.  "Behold me, Sire, I am ready to do
+your will."
+
+"Ganelon," said the King, "listen to me.  Say to King Marsilas, that
+if he will come and own himself to be my vassal and receive holy
+baptism, I will give him half the kingdom of Spain; the other half is
+for Count Roland.  But if he will not do this thing, then I will lay
+siege to his city of Saragossa, and when I shall have taken it I will
+bring him by force to my city of Aachen, and will pass judgment on
+him and he shall end his days in sorrow and shame.  Take this letter,
+which bears my seal, and give it into the King's right hand."  So
+saying he reached out the gauntlet to Ganelon with his right hand.
+But when Ganelon reached out and would have taken it, it fell to the
+ground.  "This is an ill starting," said the men of France, "this
+message will be the beginning of many troubles."  "You shall hear of
+them in good time," answered Ganelon.  To King Charles he said,
+"Sire, give me leave to depart, since I must needs go, 'twere well to
+lose no time."  "Go," said the King, "for our Lord Christ's honour
+and for mine."  And with his right hand he made the sign of the
+cross, and gave him absolution.  At the same time he gave him the
+ambassador's staff and the letter.
+
+Then Ganelon went to his house and clad himself in his finest armour.
+On his feet he fixed his spurs of gold, and by his side he bound his
+good sword Murgleis, and he mounted his charger Tachebrun.  His uncle
+Guinemer held the stirrup for him.  Many gallant knights wept to see
+him go.  "O Sir," they cried, "this is an ill return for all the
+service that you have done to the King.  Never should Count Roland
+have had such a thought.  Send us, my lord, in your stead."
+
+"Nay," answered Ganelon.  "Why should I doom so many gallant men?
+Let me rather die alone.  Do you, my friends, go back to fair France.
+Carry my greetings to my wife and to my son.  Keep him safe, and see
+that his possessions suffer no loss."  So saying, he went on his way
+to Saragossa.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+THE TREASON OF GANELON
+
+Before he had travelled far, Ganelon overtook the Saracen
+ambassadors, and, indeed, Blancandrin had delayed his journey that
+this might be so.  Said the Saracen, "What a wonderful man is your
+King Charles!  He has conquered Italy, and New Rome and Germany, and
+is ready to lay his hands on England.  But why is he bent on
+persecuting us?"  "Such is his will," answered Ganelon, "and there is
+no man of such stature as to be able to contend with him."  "You are
+brave men, you lords of France," said Blancandrin, "but you serve
+your master ill when you give him such counsel.  You will bring him
+to destruction, and many others with him."  "Nay," said Ganelon.  "I
+am not one that deserves such blame, nor indeed does any man deserve
+it, except Roland only.  Of a truth this will bring him to shame at
+the last.  Now listen to me.  The other day the King was sitting
+under a tree when Roland came to him clad in his cuirass.  He had
+taken great spoil at the town of Carcassonne.  In his hand he had an
+apple.  Take this," said he to his uncle the King.  "As I cast this
+apple at your feet so will I cast at your feet the crowns of all the
+Kings of the earth.  Such pride must surely have a fall.  Every day
+he exposes himself to death.  I would that some one would slay him.
+We shall never have peace but at the price of his life."
+
+Blancandrin answered, "This Roland must be hard of heart if he would
+subdue every nation and lay his hands upon every country.  But on
+whom does he count to help him in so vast an enterprise?"  "He relies
+on the French," said Ganelon.  "There is nothing that he refuses
+them, neither gold, nor silver, nor chargers, nor mules, nor silk,
+nor armour.  To the King himself he gives as much as he desires.  I
+doubt not that he will conquer the world even as far as the sun
+rising."
+
+The Saracen cast his eyes on Ganelon, and saw that he was of a fair
+countenance, but had an evil look.  And Ganelon, when the Saracen's
+eyes were upon him, felt his whole body tremble from head to foot.
+Blancandrin said, "Are you minded to revenge yourself on this Roland?
+If you be, deliver him up to us.  King Marsilas is a right generous
+giver, and will willingly share his treasures with you."  Thus the
+two talked together, and by the time that they came to Saragossa they
+had agreed together to seek the means by which Roland might come by
+his death.
+
+The King of Spain was sitting under a pine-tree on a throne that was
+covered with silk of Alexandria.  There were thousands of his people
+around him, but not a word was said, so greatly did they all desire
+to hear the tidings that Ganelon and Blancandrin might be bringing
+with them.
+
+Blancandrin came forward and stood before King Marsilas holding
+Ganelon by the right hand, and said, "In the name of the Prophet,
+health, O King.  We delivered your message to King Charles.  He
+lifted his hands to the sky and gave thanks to God, but he made no
+other answer.  Nevertheless he has sent to you one of his chief
+nobles, who is a great man in France.  'Tis from him you will hear
+whether you will have peace or no."  "Let him speak," said the King,
+"and we will listen."
+
+Ganelon stood a while, thinking within himself.  Then he began to
+speak, nor could any one have spoken better.  "Health, O King, in the
+name of God, the God of Glory, to whom all honour is due.  Hear now
+what King Charles commands.  You must receive the Christian Faith.
+Then will he grant unto you half of the land of Spain to be held of
+him.  The other half he grants to the Count Roland.  Verily you will
+have a proud companion!  If this please you not, then he will lay
+siege to Saragossa, will take you captive and carry you to Aachen,
+where he has his Imperial Throne.  There shall sentence be pronounced
+upon you, and you will end your days in shame."
+
+The King's face was changed with anger when he heard these words.  He
+had a gilded staff in his hand, and would have struck Ganelon
+therewith, but that by good fortune his people held him back.  When
+Ganelon saw it, he drew his sword two fingers' breadth out of the
+scabbard.  "Sword," he said, "thou art fair and bright.  So long as I
+have thee in my hands the King of France shall not say that I
+perished alone in the land of strangers; no verily, but their best
+warriors shall have paid for my death with their blood."
+
+And now King Marsilas had been persuaded to sit down again on his
+throne.  "You had put yourself in evil case," said his Vizier to him,
+"had you struck this Frenchman.  Rather you must listen to his words."
+
+"Sire," said Ganelon, "I will put up with this affront, but never
+will I consent, for all the treasures that there are in this land,
+nay, not for all the gold that God has made, not to speak the words
+that King Charles has commanded me to speak."  And he threw to the
+ground his mantle of sable, covered with silk of Alexandria; but his
+sword he kept, holding its hilt in his right hand.  "This is a noble
+baron," said the heathen chiefs.
+
+Then Ganelon spoke the same words as before, and when he had ended
+them, he gave King Charles's letter into the King's hand.  Now King
+Marsilas was a scholar, having learnt in the schools of the heathen.
+So when he had broken the seal of the letter, he read it from end to
+end; and having read it, the tears came into his eyes with rage, and
+he pulled his beard, and cried with a loud voice, "Listen, my lords,
+to this foolishness.  Charles, who is King of France, bids me
+remember the two ambassadors whom I beheaded, and commands me, if I
+would redeem my life, to send him my Vizier.  If I fail in this, he
+will be my enemy for ever."
+
+All held their peace save the King's son, who cried, "Ganelon has
+spoken as a fool speaks; verily he deserves to die.  Deliver him to
+me, and I will deal with him."
+
+But Ganelon drew his sword, and stood with his back to a pine.  King
+Marsilas stood up from his throne, and went into the orchard hard by,
+bidding the chief of his counsellors follow him.  When they were
+assembled there, Blancandrin said to the King, "You do ill to deal
+harshly with Ganelon.  He has pledged his faith to serve us."  "Bring
+him hither," said the King.  So Blancandrin brought him before the
+King, holding him by the right hand.
+
+"My lord Ganelon," said Marsilas, "I was ill-advised when in my anger
+I sought to strike you.  I would make amends for the wrong with these
+skins of martens which I have purchased this very day.  They are
+worth more than five hundred pieces of gold."  Then the King hung
+them about Ganelon's neck.  "I accept them," said he; "may God
+Himself make it up to you for your bounty!"
+
+Said the King, "Believe me, Ganelon, that I greatly desire to be your
+friend.  Come, now, tell me about Charlemagne.  He is an old man, is
+he not?  One who has lived his life?  He must be two hundred years
+old.  Over how many countries he has passed! and how many blows has
+he taken on his shield, and what mighty kings has he brought to beg
+their bread!  When, think you, will he be tired of waging war?
+Surely 'tis time that he should be taking rest at Aachen."
+
+Ganelon answered, "You do not know King Charles the Great.  No man is
+a better knight than he, so say all that know him.  As for myself, I
+cannot praise him enough; I had rather die than cease to be one of
+his barons.  But for his ceasing to make war, that cannot be so long
+as Roland lives.  There is no such knight in all the East.  A right
+valiant warrior, too, is Roland's companion, Oliver; right valiant
+are the Twelve Peers also.  Of a truth King Charles need fear no man
+alive."
+
+"But," answered the King, "there is no people that can be compared
+with mine.  Four hundred thousand horsemen I have with whom to fight
+against King Charles and his Frenchmen."  "Yet," said Ganelon, "it is
+not thus that you will answer him.  Rather will you lose thousands
+and thousands of your soldiers.  Listen now to my counsel.  Give the
+King money in abundance; give him hostages.  Then he will go back to
+France, and so going he will leave behind him his rearguard.  In the
+rearguard I know well will be Roland, his nephew, and Oliver, who is
+Roland's companion.  And being there, they are doomed to die.  So
+will the great pride of King Charles have a fall.  Never again will
+he rise to wage war against you."
+
+"Ganelon," said the King, "tell us more plainly yet how I shall slay
+this Roland."  Ganelon answered, "He and twenty thousand men of
+France will be in the rear of the King's army.  It is your part, my
+lord, to gather your whole host.  Send against them first a hundred
+thousand of your Saracens.  I do not deny that they will be
+destroyed, but, on the other hand, the men of France will receive
+great damage.  Then engage them in a second battle.  It is not
+possible that Roland should escape both from one and from the other.
+And if he be slain, then you have taken from King Charles his right
+hand.  France will have no more her marvellous armies; never again
+will King Charles lead such hosts into battle.  So Spain will at last
+have peace."
+
+"Swear that this shall be," said the King; and Ganelon swore that it
+should be on his sword Murgleis.  Then they brought to the King a
+great book in which was written the law of Mahomet, and the King made
+a great oath upon it, that if by any means it could be so ordered,
+Roland should die and the Twelve Peers with him.  "May our purpose be
+accomplished!" cried Ganelon.
+
+Then the chiefs of the heathen came one after another to Ganelon with
+gifts in their hands.  First came a certain Valdabrun.  "Take this
+sword," he said; "no man has a better.  The pommel and hilt are worth
+a thousand crowns.  Let it be the pledge of our friendship.  Only
+help us to bring Roland to his death."  "It shall be done," said
+Ganelon.
+
+Then came one Chimborin.  "Take this helmet," he said; "no man has a
+better.  See this great carbuncle that glitters on the vizor.  Only
+help us to slay Roland."  "It shall be done," said Ganelon.
+
+Then came Queen Branimonde.  "Sir," said she, "I regard you greatly.
+My lord and all his people much esteem you.  I would send to your
+wife two bracelets.  They are of amethysts, rubies, and gold.  Your
+King has not, I well know, the like."  Ganelon took the bracelets
+from her hand, and he stowed them in his riding-boot.
+
+King Marsilas said to his treasurer, "Have you made ready the
+presents that I purpose to send to King Charles?"  The treasurer
+answered, "They are ready: seven hundred camels laden with gold and
+silver, and twenty hostages, the noblest in the land."
+
+And now the King would bid farewell to Ganelon.  "I love you much,"
+said he.  "You shall not fail to have the best of my treasures, if
+you will only help me against Roland.  Now I give you ten mules'
+burden of gold of Arabia, and every year you shall have the like.
+And now take the keys of this city, and give them to King Charles;
+when you present these treasures to him deliver to him also these
+twenty hostages, only see that Roland be put in the rearguard."
+"'Tis my thought," cried Ganelon, "that I tarry here too long."
+Thereupon he mounted his horse and rode away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+OF THE PLOT AGAINST ROLAND
+
+And now King Charles had come on his homeward journey to the city of
+Volterra (Count Roland had taken it and laid it in ruins three years
+before).  There he awaited Ganelon and the tribute of Spain, and
+before many days had passed the traitor came.  "Sire," said he, "I
+greet you in the name of God.  I bring you the keys of Saragossa,
+also great treasure which King Marsilas has sent you, and twenty
+hostages, the noblest in the land.  King Marsilas also bids me say
+that he is not to be blamed because he does not send the Vizier.  The
+Vizier, with many thousands of armed men, took ship--I saw them with
+my own eyes--because they were not content to accept the law of
+Christ.  But before they had sailed four leagues, there came suddenly
+upon them a great storm of wind, so that their ships sank.  You will
+never see them more, for they were all drowned.  As for the King
+himself, you may rest assured that before this month is spent he will
+follow you to France, and that he will receive the law of Christ, and
+will become your vassal holding the kingdom of Spain from you."
+"Thanks be to God for all these blessings," cried the King.  And to
+Ganelon he said, "You have served me well, and shall have due
+recompense."
+
+Then the trumpets sounded, and the army went on its way to France.
+That night the King had a certain dream in his sleep.  He thought
+that he stood in the pass of Cizra, holding in his hand an ashen
+spear, and that Ganelon laid hold of it and shook it in such a
+fashion that it was broken into a thousand pieces, and the fragments
+flew up to the sky.  After this he had another dream.  He was in his
+chapel at his city of Aachen, and a bear bit him so cruelly on the
+right arm that the flesh was broken even to the bone.  After the bear
+there came a leopard from the Ardennes, which made as if it would
+attack him.  And lo! a greyhound came forth from the hall, and ran to
+him with great bounds.  First the greyhound laid hold of the bear by
+the right ear, and then it assailed the leopard furiously.  "'Tis a
+great fight," cried they who stood by, but no one knew who would
+prevail.
+
+The next day the King called his lords together.  "You see," said he,
+"these narrow passes.  Whom shall I place to command the rearguard?
+Choose you a man yourselves."  Said Ganelon, "Whom should we choose
+but my son-in-law, Count Roland?  You have no man in your host so
+valiant.  Of a truth he will be the salvation of France."  The King
+said when he heard these words, "What ails you, Ganelon?  You look
+like to one possessed.  But tell me--who shall command my vanguard?"
+"Let Ogier the Dane be the man," answered Ganelon.  "There is no one
+who could acquit himself better."
+
+When Count Roland knew what was proposed concerning him, he spake out
+as a true knight should speak.  "I am right thankful to you, my
+father-in-law, that you have caused me to be put in this place.  Of a
+truth the King of France shall lose nothing by my means, neither
+charger, nor mule, nor pack-horse, nor beast of burden."  "You speak
+truly," said Ganelon; "I know it well."  Then Roland turned to him
+again, and said, "Villain that you are, and come of a race of
+villainy, did you think perchance that I should let the gauntlet
+fall, as you let it fall when you would have taken it from the King?"
+
+Then Roland turned to the King and said, "Give me the bow that you
+hold in your hand.  It shall not fall from my hand as the gauntlet
+fell when Ganelon would have taken it from your hand."  The King said
+to Roland, "Nephew, I will gladly give you the half of my army.  That
+will provide for your safety without fail."  "Not so, my lord,"
+answered Roland, "I need no such multitude.  Give me twenty thousand
+only, so they be men of valour, and I will keep the passes in all
+safety.  So long as I shall live, you need fear no man."
+
+Then Roland mounted his horse.  With him were Oliver his comrade, and
+Otho and Berenger, and Gerard of Roussillon, an aged warrior, and
+others, men of renown.  And Turpin the Archbishop cried, "By my head,
+I will go also."  So they chose twenty thousand warriors with whom to
+keep the passes.
+
+Meanwhile King Charles had entered the valley of Roncesvalles, his
+vanguard being led by Ogier the Dane.  High were the mountains on
+either side of the way, and the valleys were gloomy and dark.  But
+when they had passed through the valley, then they saw the fair land
+of Gascony, and as they saw it they thought of their homes and their
+wives and daughters.  There was not one of them but wept for very
+tenderness of heart.  But of all that company there was none sadder
+of heart than the King himself, when he thought how he had left his
+nephew Count Roland behind him in the passes of Spain.  Duke Naymes,
+who rode beside him, said, "What troubles you?"  "There is cause
+enough," answered Charles.  "I fear me much that this Ganelon will be
+the ruin of France.  Did he not cause me to leave Roland behind me in
+the passes?  And if I lose my nephew when shall I find his like
+again?"  And he told the Duke of his dream, how Ganelon had broken
+the spear that he held in his hands.
+
+And now King Marsilas began to gather his army.  He laid a strict
+command on all his nobles and chiefs that they should bring with them
+to Saragossa as many men as they could gather together.  And when
+they were come to the city, it being the third day from the issuing
+of the King's command, they saluted the great image of Mahomet, the
+false prophet that stood on the topmost tower.  This done they went
+forth from the city gates.  They made all haste, marching across the
+mountains and valleys of Spain till they came in sight of the
+Standard of France, where Roland and Oliver and the Twelve Peers were
+ranged in battle array.
+
+The nephew of King Marsilas rode to the front of the army and said to
+his uncle, "Sire, I have served you faithfully, enduring much labour
+and trouble, fighting many battles, and winning not a few victories.
+And now all the reward that I ask is that you suffer me to smite down
+this Roland.  I will slay him with the point of my spear if Mahomet
+will help me.  So shall I deliver Spain from the enemy, these
+Frenchmen will give themselves up to you, and you shall have no more
+wars all the days of your life."
+
+When King Marsilas heard these words, he reached out his hand, and
+gave his gauntlet to his nephew.  Then said the young man, "You have
+given me a noble gift, my uncle.  Now choose me eleven of your
+nobles, and we will fight with the Twelve Peers of France."
+
+The first that came forth to offer himself for the battle was
+Fausseron, the King's brother.  "My lord nephew," said he, "we will
+go together, you and I--between us we shall win this victory.  Woe to
+King Charles's rearguard.  We will destroy it to a man."
+
+The next that stood up was Corsablis, King of Barbary.  He was an
+evil man and a treacherous, but that day he spoke as a loyal vassal
+of the King.  "This is no time," he said, "for drawing back.  If I
+find Roland, I will attack him without delay."  After him rose nine
+other chiefs, till the number of champions was accomplished, twelve
+against the Twelve Peers of France.
+
+The Saracen champions donned their coats of mail, of double substance
+most of them, and they set upon their heads helmets of Saragossa of
+well-tempered metal, and they girded themselves with swords of
+Vienna.  Fair were their shields to view, their lances were from
+Valentia, their standards were of white, blue, and red.  Their mules
+they left with their servants, and, mounting their chargers, so moved
+forwards.  Fair was the day and bright the sun, as their armour
+flashed in the light and the drums were beaten so loudly that the
+Frenchmen heard the sound.
+
+Said Oliver to Roland, "Comrade, methinks we shall soon do battle
+with the Saracens."  "God grant it," answered Roland.  "'Tis our duty
+to hold the place for the King, and we will do it, come what may.  As
+for me, I will not set an ill example."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+HOW THE HEATHEN AND THE FRENCH PREPARED FOR BATTLE
+
+Oliver climbed to the top of a hill, and saw from thence the whole
+army of the heathen.  He cried to Roland his companion, "I hear a
+great sound of men coming by way of Spain, and I see the flashing of
+arms.  We men of France shall have no small trouble therefrom.  This
+is the doing of Ganelon the traitor."
+
+"Be silent," answered Roland, "till you shall know; say no more about
+him."
+
+Oliver looked from the hilltop, and saw how the Saracens came on.  So
+many there were that he could not count their battalions.  He
+descended to the plain with all speed, and came to the array of the
+French, and said, "I have seen more heathen than man ever yet saw
+together upon the earth.  There are a hundred thousand at the least.
+We shall have such a battle with them as has never before been
+fought.  My brethren of France, quit you like men, be strong; stand
+firm that you be not conquered."  And all the army shouted with one
+voice, "Cursed be he that shall fly."
+
+Then Oliver turned to Roland, and said, "Sound your horn, my friend,
+Charles will hear it, and will return."  "I were a fool," answered
+Roland, "so to do.  Not so; but I will deal these heathen some mighty
+blows with Durendal my sword.  They have been ill-advised to venture
+into these passes.  I swear that they are condemned to death one and
+all."
+
+After a while, Oliver said again, "Friend Roland, sound your horn of
+ivory.  Then will the King return, and bring his army with him, to
+our help."  But Roland answered again, "I will not do dishonour to my
+kinsmen, or to the fair land of France.  I have my sword; that shall
+suffice for me.  These evil-minded heathen are gathered together
+against us to their own hurt.  Surely not one of them shall escape
+from death."  "As for me," said Oliver, "I see not where the
+dishonour would be.  I saw the valleys and the mountains covered with
+the great multitude of Saracens.  Theirs is, in truth, a mighty
+array, and we are but few."  "So much the better," answered Roland.
+"It makes my courage grow.  'Tis better to die than to be disgraced.
+And remember, the harder our blows the more the King will love us."
+
+Roland was brave, but Oliver was wise.  "Consider," he said,
+"comrade.  These enemies are over-near to us, and the King over-far.
+Were he here, we should not be in danger; but there are some here
+to-day who will never fight in another battle."
+
+Then Turpin the Archbishop struck spurs into his horse, and rode to a
+hilltop.  Then he turned to the men of France, and spake: "Lords of
+France, King Charles has left us here; our King he is, and it is our
+duty to die for him.  To-day our Christian Faith is in peril: do ye
+fight for it.  Fight ye must; be sure of that, for there under your
+eyes are the Saracens.  Confess, therefore, your sins, and pray to
+God that He have mercy upon you.  And now for your soul's health I
+will give you all absolution.  If you die, you will be God's martyrs,
+every one of you, and your places are ready for you in His Paradise."
+
+Thereupon the men of France dismounted, and knelt upon the ground,
+and the Archbishop blessed them in God's name.  "But look," said he,
+"I set you a penance--smite these pagans."  Then the men of France
+rose to their feet.  They had received absolution, and were set free
+from all their sins, and the Archbishop had blessed them in the name
+of God.  After this they mounted their swift steeds, and clad
+themselves in armour, and made themselves ready for the battle.
+
+Said Roland to Oliver, "Brother, you know that it is Ganelon who has
+betrayed us.  Good store he has had of gold and silver as a reward;
+'tis the King Marsilas that has made merchandise of us, but verily it
+is with our swords that he shall be paid."  So saying, he rode on to
+the pass, mounted on his good steed Veillantif.  His spear he held
+with the point to the sky; a white flag it bore with fringes of gold
+which fell down to his hands.  A stalwart man was he, and his
+countenance was fair and smiling.  Behind him followed Oliver, his
+friend; and the men of France pointed to him, saying, "See our
+champion!"  Pride was in his eye when he looked towards the Saracens;
+but to the men of France his regard was all sweetness and humility.
+Full courteously he spake to them: "Ride not so fast, my lords," he
+said; "verily these heathen are come hither, seeking martyrdom.  'Tis
+a fair spoil that we shall gather from them to-day.  Never has King
+of France gained any so rich."  And as he spake, the two hosts came
+together.
+
+Said Oliver, "You did not deem it fit, my lord, to sound your horn.
+Therefore you lack the help which the King would have sent.  Not his
+the blame, for he knows nothing of what has chanced.  But do you,
+lords of France, charge as fiercely as you may, and yield not one
+whit to the enemy.  Think upon these two things only--how to deal a
+straight blow and to take it.  And let us not forget King Charles's
+cry of battle."  Then all the men of France with one voice cried out,
+"Mountjoy!"  He that heard them so cry had never doubted that they
+were men of valour.  Proud was their array as they rode on to battle,
+spurring their horses that they might speed the more.  And the
+Saracens, on their part, came forward with a good heart.  Thus did
+the Frenchmen and the heathen meet in the shock of battle.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+THE BATTLE
+
+The first that rode forth from the array of the heathen was Ælroth,
+nephew to King Marsilas.  Good were his arms, and his horse was both
+swift and strong.  Grievous were the reproaches that he uttered
+against the men of France.  "Are you come," said he, "ye robbers of
+France, to fight with us to-day?  Know ye not that he who should have
+helped you has betrayed you?  Verily, a fool was your Emperor to
+leave you in these passes, for the honour of fair France has perished
+to-day, and the great Charles has lost, as it were, the right arm
+from his body.  So shall Spain have peace at last."
+
+Roland heard these words with great grief in his heart.  He spurred
+his steed with spurs of gold, and smote the heathen warrior with all
+his might.  He brake his shield in twain, and severed the mail of his
+hauberk, and clave his body into two parts.  A mighty stroke it was,
+and Roland cried aloud as he dealt it, "Learn now, thou wretch, that
+King Charles knows well what he does.  He loves not treason or
+traitors.  It was well done of him to leave us in these passes.
+France shall have no loss of honour this day.  Strike, men of France,
+strike!  The first blood is for us; these dogs of heathen shall
+suffer for their misdeeds."
+
+Then came forth a Duke from the host of the Saracens, brother to King
+Marsilas, Fausseron by name.  Never was a man on the earth more
+insolent and villainous.  When he saw that his nephew was dead it cut
+him to the heart.  He rushed out of the crowd, and, shouting out the
+battle-cry of the heathen, hurled himself on the ranks of France.
+"Fair France," said he, "shall lose her honour this day."  Great was
+the rage of Oliver when he heard these mischievous words.  He struck
+his spurs of gold into his charger's flanks, and smote Fausseron with
+a right knightly blow.  His shield he shore in twain, and burst the
+links of his hauberk, and hurled him dead from his saddle.  "Lie
+there," he said.  "Who cares for thy threats, thou coward!"  And,
+turning to the Frenchmen, he cried, "Strike, friends, strike! and we
+shall conquer the enemy.  _Mountjoy!_  'Tis the King's own
+battle-cry!"
+
+Then came forth another King, Corsablis by name.  From the distant
+land of Barbary he came.  He cried to his fellows in the army of the
+heathen, "Easily can we bear up the battle.  Few are these Frenchmen,
+and of no account.  Not a man of them shall escape, nor shall Charles
+their King help them.  Verily the day has come for them to die."
+Turpin the Archbishop heard him--not one was there in all the heathen
+host whom Turpin more hated--and charged him, spear in hand, and bore
+him dead to the ground.
+
+Full many of the heathen warriors fell that day.  Not one of the
+Twelve Peers of France but slew his man.  But of all none bare
+himself so valiantly as Roland.  Many a blow did he deal to the enemy
+with his mighty spear, and when the spear was shivered in his hand,
+fifteen warriors having fallen before it, then he seized his good
+sword Durendal, and smote man after man to the ground.  Red was he
+with the blood of his enemies.  Red was his hauberk, red his arms,
+red his shoulders, aye, and the neck of his horse.  Not one of the
+Twelve lingered in the rear, or was slow to strike, but Count Roland
+was the bravest of the brave.  "Well done, Sons of France!" cried
+Turpin the Archbishop, when he saw them lay on in such sort.
+
+Next to Roland for valour and hardihood came Oliver, his companion.
+Many a heathen warrior did he slay, till at last his spear was
+shivered in his hand.  "What are you doing, comrade?" cried Roland,
+when he was aware of the mishap.  "A man wants no staff in such a
+battle as this.  'Tis the steel and nothing else that he must have.
+Where is your sword Hautclere, with its hilt of gold and its pommel
+of crystal?"  "On my word," said Oliver.  "I have not had time to
+draw it; I was so busy with striking."  But as he spake he drew the
+good sword from its scabbard, and smote a heathen knight, Justin of
+the Iron Valley.  A mighty blow it was, cleaving the man in twain
+down to his saddle--aye, and the saddle itself with its adorning of
+gold and jewels, and the very backbone also of the steed whereon he
+rode, so that horse and man fell dead together on the plains.  "Well
+done!" cried Roland; "you are a true brother of mine.  'Tis such
+strokes as this that makes the Emperor love us."
+
+Nevertheless, for all the valour of Roland and his fellows the battle
+went hardly with the men of France.  Many lances were shivered, many
+flags torn, and many gallant youths cut off in their prime.  Never
+more would they see mother and wife.  It was an ill deed that the
+traitor Ganelon wrought when he sold his fellows to King Marsilas!
+
+And now there befell a new trouble.  King Almaris, with a great host
+of heathen, coming by an unknown way, fell upon the rear of the host
+where there was another pass.  Fiercely did the noble Walter that
+kept the same charge the new-comers, but they overpowered him and his
+followers.  He was wounded with four several lances, and four times
+did he swoon, so that at the last he was constrained to leave the
+field of battle, that he might call the Count Roland to his aid.  But
+small was the aid which Roland could give him or any one.  Valiantly
+he held up the battle, and with him Oliver, and Turpin the
+Archbishop, and others also; but the lines of the men of France were
+broken, and their armour thrust through, and their spears shivered,
+and their flags trodden in the dust.  For all this they made such
+slaughter among the heathen that King Almaris, who led the armies of
+the enemy, scarcely could win back his way to his own people, wounded
+in four places and sorely spent.  A right good warrior was he; had he
+but been a Christian but few had matched him in battle!
+
+He came to King Marsilas, where he stood among his princes, and fell
+at his feet; for indeed there was no strength left in him.  "To
+horse!" he cried, "my lord, to horse!  You will find the men of
+France worn out with the slaughter that they have wrought among us.
+Their spears are shivered and their swords broken; a full half of
+them are dead, and they that are left have no strength remaining in
+them.  It will cost you but little to take vengeance for the
+multitudes whom they have slain.  Believe me, my lord, these
+Frenchmen are ready to be conquered."
+
+Then King Marsilas bade his host advance.  A mighty army it was,
+divided into twenty columns, and the trumpets sounded the charge.
+Never was heard such a din in the land!  "Oliver, my comrade," said
+Roland, when he heard it, "this traitor Ganelon has sworn our death.
+But if he compass it, surely our King will take a terrible vengeance.
+But as for us, we must do our duty as good knights, for verily this
+battle will be no child's play.  Strike thou with thy sword
+Hautclere, and I will strike with my sword Durendal.  Many a time
+have we wielded them side by side; many a victory have we won with
+them.  Verily if we fall this day, these pagans shall not despise us."
+
+The Archbishop, on his part, spake words of comfort to his people.
+"Let no one think of flight," he said; "never shall these heathen
+make songs upon us.  'Tis better far to die in battle.  And if we
+die, as well may be, there is this of which I can assure you: the
+gates of Paradise shall be open to you.  To-morrow, if so it be, you
+shall have a place among the saints."  Then the men of France took
+fresh courage and made themselves ready for the battle.
+
+King Marsilas said to his people, "Listen to me.  This Roland is a
+great warrior; it will be no easy thing to conquer him.  One battle
+we have fought against him and not prevailed; now will we fight
+another; if need be, and you will follow me, we will fight even a
+third.  Of these twenty columns ten shall set themselves in array
+against the men of France, and ten shall remain with me.  As I live,
+before this day is over, the power of King Charles shall be broken."
+So saying he gave a banner, richly embroidered, to the Emir
+Grandoigne; "Lead your men against the French," said he; "this shall
+be your warrant from me."
+
+So the King abode where he was on the hilltop, but Grandoigne
+descended into the plain, having his banner carried before him.  "To
+horse!" he cried, and the trumpets sounded, and the host moved on to
+the battle.  And the French cried when they saw it, "Now what shall
+we do?  Curses on this traitor Ganelon, who has sold us to the
+heathen!"  But Turpin the Archbishop bade them be of good courage.
+"Bear you as men!" said he, "and God shall give you the crown of
+glory in Paradise.  Only know that into Paradise a coward can in
+nowise come."  "So be it," said the men of France, "we are few
+indeed, but we will not fail of our duty."
+
+The first to charge from out of the ranks of the heathen was
+Chimborin, the same that had given to Ganelon the helmet with the
+great carbuncle on the vizor.  His horse, Barbemouche by name, was
+swifter than a sparrow-hawk or a swallow.  He rode at full speed,
+levelling his lance at Engelier the Gascon, and smote him through
+shield and hauberk so stoutly that the spear stood out of his body on
+the other side.  "These Frenchmen are easy to conquer," he cried.
+"Strike, comrades, strike, and break their rank!"  But all the
+Frenchmen cried out, "This is a grievous thing that so brave a
+warrior should be slain!"
+
+Said Roland to Oliver, "Comrade, see Engelier the Gascon is slain; we
+had no braver knight in the host."  "God grant that I may avenge
+him," answered Oliver, and struck spurs into his horse.  In his hand
+was his trusty sword Hautclere, its blade red with blood.  Therewith
+he smote Chimborin so mighty a blow that he slew both man and horse.
+Next he slew the Duke Alphais.  Eight other Arab warriors he struck
+down from their saddles, and in such sort they would never join in
+the battle any more.  "My comrade is in a goodly rage," cried Roland;
+"these are the blows that make King Charles love us.  Strike, men of
+France, strike and cease not!"
+
+The next that rode forth was the Emir Valdabrun, the same that had
+given to Ganelon the sword.  He was a great ruler of the sea.  Four
+hundred ships he had, and there was not a sailor but complained of
+his robberies.  The same had taken by treachery, and slain the
+Patriarch of Antioch with the sword.  This man smote Duke Samson,
+breaking with his spear both shield and hauberk, and so did him to
+death.  "So shall all these wretches perish," he cried.  And the men
+of France were sorely dismayed.
+
+When Roland saw that the Duke Samson was dead, he rode fiercely at
+Valdabrun, and smote him so mightily with his great sword Durendal
+that he clave in twain helmet, head, and body, and saddle, and the
+very backbone of the horse, so that both fell dead together, both man
+and horse.
+
+After this Malquidant, son of King Malquid of Africa slew Ansol.  Him
+the Archbishop speedily avenged.  Never priest that sang mass was so
+sturdy a warrior as he.  With one blow of his good Toledo sword he
+slew the African.  "He smites sore, does the Archbishop!" cried all
+the men of France when they saw the deed.
+
+After this Grandoigne who was the leader of the host of heathen
+entered the battle.  Five knights, valiant men of war all of them, he
+slew one after the other, so that the men of France cried, "How fast
+they fall, these champions of ours!"
+
+Roland heard the cry, and it went near to break his heart, so great
+was his wrath.  He rode straight at Grandoigne, and these two met in
+the middle space between the hosts.  Among the heathen no man was
+braver or better at arms than Grandoigne, but he was no match for
+Roland.  They had scarce met in the shock of battle when Roland with
+one mighty blow cleft him to his saddle, aye, and slew the horse on
+which he rode.  Many other valiant deeds he wrought that day, nor did
+Oliver lag behind, nor Turpin the Archbishop, riding on the famous
+horse which he took from the King of Denmark.  But though these and
+others also bore themselves right bravely, such was the multitude of
+the Saracens that in the end it carried all before it.  Four times
+did the host of the Saracens advance, four times did the Frenchmen
+beat it back.  But when it advanced for the fifth time, things went
+ill for the Christians.  Great was the price at which they sold their
+lives; but scarcely threescore were left.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+HOW ROLAND SOUNDED HIS HORN
+
+Count Roland saw how grievously his people had suffered and spake
+thus to Oliver his comrade: "Dear comrade, you see how many brave men
+lie dead upon the ground.  Well may we mourn for Fair France, widowed
+as she is of so many valiant champions.  But why is our King not
+here?  O Oliver, my brother, what shall we do to send him tidings of
+our state?"  "I know not," answered Oliver.  "Only this I know--that
+death is to be chosen rather than dishonour."
+
+After a while Roland said again, "I shall blow my horn; King Charles
+will hear it, where he has encamped beyond the passes, and he and his
+host will come back."  "That would be ill done," answered Oliver,
+"and shame both you and your race.  When I gave you this counsel you
+would have none of it.  Now I like it not.  'Tis not for a brave man
+to sound the horn and cry for help now that we are in such case."
+"The battle is too hard for us," said Roland again, "and I shall
+sound my horn, that the King may hear."  And Oliver answered again,
+"When I gave you this counsel, you scorned it.  Now I myself like it
+not.  'Tis true that had the King been here, we had not suffered this
+loss.  But the blame is not his.  'Tis your folly, Count Roland, that
+has done to death all these men of France.  But for that we should
+have conquered in this battle, and have taken and slain King
+Marsilas.  But now we can do nothing for France and the King.  We can
+but die.  Woe is me for our country, aye, and for our friendship,
+which will come to a grievous end this day."
+
+The Archbishop had perceived that the two were at variance, and
+spurred his horse till he came where they stood.  "Listen to me," he
+said, "Sir Roland and Sir Oliver.  I implore you not to fall out with
+each other in this fashion.  We, sons of France, that are in this
+place, are of a truth condemned to death, neither will the sounding
+of your horn save us, for the King is far away, and cannot come in
+time.  Nevertheless, I hold it to be well that you should sound it.
+When the King and his army shall come, they will find us dead--that I
+know full well.  But they will avenge us, so that our enemies shall
+not go away rejoicing.  And they will also recover our bodies, and
+will carry them away for burial in holy places, so that the dogs and
+wolves shall not devour them."
+
+"You say well," cried Roland, and he put his horn to his lips, and
+gave so mighty a blast upon it, that the sound was heard thirty
+leagues away.  King Charles and his men heard it, and the King said,
+"Our countrymen are fighting with the enemy."  But Ganelon answered,
+"Sire, had any but you so spoken, I had said that he spoke falsely."
+
+Then Roland blew his horn a second time; with great pain and anguish
+of body he blew it, and the red blood gushed from his lips; but the
+sound was heard yet further than at first.  The King heard it, and
+all his nobles, and all his men.  "That," said he, "is Roland's horn;
+he never had sounded it were he not in battle with the enemy."  But
+Ganelon answered again: "Believe me, Sire, there is no battle.  You
+are an old man, and you have the fancies of a child.  You know what a
+mighty man of valour is this Roland.  Think you that any one would
+dare to attack him?  No one, of a truth.  Ride on, Sire, why halt you
+here?  The fair land of France is yet far away."
+
+Roland blew his horn a third time, and when the King heard it he
+said, "He that blew that horn drew a deep breath."  And Duke Naymes
+cried out, "Roland is in trouble; on my conscience he is fighting
+with the enemy.  Some one has betrayed him; 'tis he, I doubt not,
+that would deceive you now.  To arms, Sire! utter your war-cry, and
+help your own house and your country.  You have heard the cry of the
+noble Roland."
+
+Then King Charles bade all the trumpets sound, and forthwith all the
+men of France armed themselves, with helmets, and hauberks, and
+swords with pummels of gold.  Mighty were their shields, and their
+lances strong, and the flags that they carried were white and red and
+blue.  And when they made an end of their arming they rode back with
+all haste.  There was not one of them but said to his comrade, "If we
+find Roland yet alive, what mighty strokes will we strike for him!"
+
+But Ganelon the King handed over to the knaves of his kitchen.  "Take
+this traitor," said he, "who has sold his country."  Ill did Ganelon
+fare among them.  They pulled out his hair and his beard and smote
+him with their staves; then they put a great chain, such as that with
+which a bear is bound, about his neck, and made him fast to a
+pack-horse.
+
+This done, the King and his army hastened with all speed to the help
+of Roland.  In the van and the rear sounded the trumpets as though
+they would answer Roland's horn.  Full of wrath was King Charles as
+he rode; full of wrath were all the men of France.  There was not one
+among them but wept and sobbed; there was not one but prayed, "Now,
+may God keep Roland alive till we come to the battlefield, so that we
+may strike a blow for him."  Alas! it was all in vain; they could not
+come in time for all their speed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+HOW OLIVER WAS SLAIN
+
+Count Roland looked round on the mountain-sides and on the plains.
+Alas! how many noble sons of France he saw lying dead upon them!
+"Dear friends," he said, weeping as he spoke, "may God have mercy on
+you and receive you into His Paradise!  More loyal followers have I
+never seen.  How is the fair land of France widowed of her bravest,
+and I can give you no help.  Oliver, dear comrade, we must not part.
+If the enemy slay me not here, surely I shall be slain by sorrow.
+Come, then, let us smite these heathen."
+
+Thus did Roland again charge the enemy, his good sword Durendal in
+his hand; as the stag flies before the hounds, so did the heathen fly
+before Roland.  "By my faith," cried the Archbishop when he saw him,
+"that is a right good knight!  Such courage, and such a steed, and
+such arms I love well to see.  If man be not brave and a stout
+fighter, he had better by far be a monk in some cloister where he may
+pray all day long for our sins."
+
+But Roland cried again, "Strike home, men; have no mercy on these
+heathen dogs."  So saying he charged the enemy, and on the other side
+King Marsilas came out to meet him.  A great warrior was he, and his
+horse was fleeter than a falcon.  First he slew Beuvon of Burgundy,
+and Ivan, and Gerard and other two: five knights he met, five he
+slew, but the sixth was the Count Roland himself.  "Curse upon you!"
+cried the Count; "you have slain my comrades; verily you shall not go
+scatheless hence."  Thereupon with one blow he smote off his right
+hand, and with another he shore off the head of the king's son
+Jurfalew.  "Help us, Mahomet!" cried the heathen.  "How these
+villains fight!  They die rather than fly from the field of battle!"
+And King Marsilas, throwing down his shield upon the ground, fled
+from out the battle, and thousands fled with him, crying aloud,
+"Verily, the nephew of King Charles has won the day."
+
+But alas! though the King fled, the Caliph remained.  He was King of
+Carthage and of the whole land of Ethiopia.  Chief of the black race
+was he, and a mighty man of valour.  Fifty thousand warriors followed
+him; blacker than ink were they all, and with nothing that was white
+about them save only their teeth.  "We have but a short time to
+live," cried Roland, when he saw the new host advancing to the
+battle.  "But cursed would he be that does not sell his life dearly!
+Strike, comrades, strike!  Let what will befall us, France shall not
+suffer disgrace.  When the King shall come to see this field of
+battle, for one of us that he shall find dead there shall be full
+fifteen of the Saracens.  He cannot but bless us for such valour."
+And Oliver cried aloud, "Ill luck to all laggards!"  And the men of
+France that remained threw themselves upon the enemy.
+
+But the heathen, when they saw how few they were, took fresh courage.
+And the Caliph, spurring his horse, rode against Oliver and smote him
+in the middle of his back, making his spear pass right through him.
+"That is a shrewd blow," he cried; "I have avenged my friends and
+countrymen upon you."
+
+Then Oliver knew he was stricken to death, but he would not fall
+unavenged.  With his great sword Hautclere he smote the Caliph on his
+head and cleft it to the teeth.  "Curse on you, pagan.  Neither your
+wife nor any woman in the land of your birth shall boast that you
+have taken a penny's worth from King Charles!"  But to Roland he
+cried, "Come, comrade, help me; well I know that we two shall part in
+great sorrow this day."  Roland came with all speed, and saw his
+friend, how he lay all pale and fainting on the ground and how the
+blood gushed in great streams from his wound.  "I know not what to
+do," he cried.  "This is an ill chance that has befallen you.  Truly
+France is bereaved of her bravest son."  So saying he went near to
+swoon in the saddle as he sat.  Then there befell a strange thing.
+Oliver had lost so much of his blood that he could not any more see
+clearly or know who it was that was near him.  So he raised up his
+arm and smote with all his strength that yet remained to him on the
+helmet of Roland his friend.  The helmet he cleft in twain to the
+vizor; but by good fortune it wounded not the head.  Roland looked at
+him and said in a gentle voice, "Did you this of set purpose?  I am
+Roland your friend, and have not harmed you."  "Ah!" said Oliver, "I
+hear you speak, but I cannot see you.  Pardon me that I struck you;
+it was not done of set purpose."  "It harmed me not," answered
+Roland; "with all my heart and before God I forgive you."  And this
+was the way these two friends parted at the last.
+
+And now Oliver felt the pains of death come over him.  He could no
+longer see nor hear.  He clomb down from his horse, and laid himself
+upon the ground, and clasping his hands lifted them to heaven and
+made his confession.  "O Lord," he said, "take me into Paradise.  And
+do Thou bless King Charles and the sweet land of France."  And when
+he had said thus he died.  And Roland looked at him as he lay.  There
+was not upon earth a more sorrowful man than he.  "Dear comrade," he
+said, "this is indeed an evil day.  Many a year have we two been
+together.  Never have I done wrong to you; never have you done wrong
+to me.  How shall I bear to live without you?"  And again he swooned
+where he sat on his horse.  But the stirrup held him up that he did
+not fall to the ground.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+
+HOW ARCHBISHOP TURPIN DIED
+
+When Roland came to himself he looked about him and saw how great was
+the calamity that had befallen his army.  For now there were left
+alive to him two only, Turpin the Archbishop and Walter of Hum.
+Walter had but that moment come down from the hills where he had been
+fighting so fiercely with the heathen that all his men were dead; now
+he cried to Roland for help.  "Noble Count, where are you?  I am
+Walter of Hum, and am not unworthy to be your friend.  Help me
+therefore.  For see how my spear is broken and my shield cleft in
+twain, my hauberk is in pieces, and my body sorely wounded.  I am
+about to die; but I have sold my life at a great price."  When Roland
+heard him cry he set spurs to his horse and galloped to him.
+"Walter," said he, "you are a brave warrior and a trustworthy.  Tell
+me now where are the thousand valiant men whom you took from my army.
+They were right good soldiers, and I am in sore need of them."
+
+"They are dead," answered Walter; "you will see them no more.  A sore
+battle we had with the Saracens yonder on the hills; they had the men
+of Canaan there and the men of Armenia and the Giants; there were no
+better men in their army than these.  We dealt with them so that they
+will not boast themselves of this day's work.  But it cost us dear;
+all the men of France lie dead on the plain, and I am wounded to the
+death.  And now, Roland, blame me not that I fled; for you are my
+lord, and all my trust is in you."
+
+"I blame you not," said Roland, "only as long as you live help me
+against the heathen."  And as he spake he took his cloak and rent it
+into strips and bound up Walter's wounds therewith.  This done he and
+Walter and the Archbishop set fiercely on the enemy.  Five-and-twenty
+did Roland slay, and Walter slew six, and the Archbishop five.  Three
+valiant men of war they were; fast and firm they stood one by the
+other; hundreds there were of the heathen, but they dared not come
+near to the three valiant champions of France.  They stood far off,
+and cast at the three spears and darts and javelins and weapons of
+every kind.  Walter of Hum was slain forthwith; and the Archbishop's
+armour was broken, and he wounded, and his horse slain under him.
+Nevertheless he lifted himself from the ground, still keeping a good
+heart in his breast.  "They have not overcome me yet"; said he, "as
+long as a good soldier lives, he does not yield."
+
+Roland took his horn once more and sounded it, for he would know
+whether King Charles were coming.  Ah me! it was a feeble blast that
+he blew.  But the King heard it, and he halted and listened.  "My
+lords!" said he, "things go ill for us, I doubt not.  To-day we shall
+lose, I fear me much, my brave nephew Roland.  I know by the sound of
+his horn that he has but a short time to live.  Put your horses to
+their full speed, if you would come in time to help him, and let a
+blast be sounded by every trumpet that there is in the army."  So all
+the trumpets in the host sounded a blast; all the valleys and hills
+re-echoed with the sound; sore discouraged were the heathen when they
+heard it.  "King Charles has come again," they cried; "we are all as
+dead men.  When he comes he shall not find Roland alive."  Then four
+hundred of them, the strongest and most valiant knights that were in
+the army of the heathen, gathered themselves into one company, and
+made a yet fiercer assault on Roland.
+
+Roland saw them coming, and waited for them without fear.  So long as
+he lived he would not yield himself to the enemy or give place to
+them.  "Better death than flight," said he, as he mounted his good
+steed Veillantif, and rode towards the enemy.  And by his side went
+Turpin the Archbishop on foot.  Then said Roland to Turpin, "I am on
+horseback and you are on foot.  But let us keep together; never will
+I leave you; we two will stand against these heathen dogs.  They have
+not, I warrant, among them such a sword as Durendal."  "Good,"
+answered the Archbishop.  "Shame to the man who does not smite his
+hardest.  And though this be our last battle, I know well that King
+Charles will take ample vengeance for us."
+
+When the heathen saw these two stand together they fell back in fear
+and hurled at them spears and darts and javelins without number.
+Roland's shield they broke and his hauberk; but him they hurt not;
+nevertheless they did him a grievous injury, for they killed his good
+steed Veillantif.  Thirty wounds did Veillantif receive, and he fell
+dead under his master.  Roland stood alone, for the heathen had fled
+from his presence, alone and on foot.  Fain would he have followed
+after the enemy; but he could not.  Then he bethought him of the
+Archbishop; when he looked, he saw him laid upon the plain.  He
+unlaced his helmet and took the corslet from off him, and bound up
+his wounds with strips of his shirt of silk, and taking him in his
+arms laid him down softly on the grass.  This done, he said to him,
+"Dear friend, suffer me to leave you awhile.  All our comrades, the
+men whom we loved so much, are dead.  Yet we must not leave them
+lying where they are.  Listen then.  I will go and seek for their
+bodies, and I will bring them hither, and set them in order before
+you."  "Go," said the Archbishop, "and come back as soon as you may.
+The field is left to me and to you.  Thanks be to God for the same!"
+
+Then Roland went to seek his comrades.  Alone he went, and passed
+over all the field of battle.  He searched the mountains, he searched
+the valley.  There he found the dead bodies of Gerier and of Engelier
+the Gascon, of Berenger and of Otho; and of others also.  All the
+Peers of France he found where they lay.  Then he carried them one by
+one and set them all on their knees before the Archbishop.  Turpin
+could not choose but weep when he saw these brave comrades dead.  He
+raised his hand and gave them his blessing.  "Friends," said he, "an
+evil fate has overtaken you in this world; may the God of glory
+receive you in the world to come!"
+
+Now Roland went again and searched the plain till he found the body
+of his comrade Oliver.  Under a thorn he found it, and he raised it
+tenderly in his arms, and brought it back to where the Archbishop
+sat, and put it hard by the other Peers of France.  And Turpin gave
+him also blessing and absolution.  This done, Roland said with many
+tears, "Oliver, my brave comrade, never was there a better knight
+than you to break a lance, and shatter a shield, to give good counsel
+to the brave, and to put to shame traitors and cowards."  And when he
+had said this he looked round on that fair company of the dead, and
+his heart failed within him.  Such goodly knights they were, and so
+dear to him, and now they were gone.  And he fell in a swoon upon the
+ground.
+
+[Illustration: ON THE FIELD OF RONCESVALLES.]
+
+When the Archbishop saw him fall he reached out his hand and laid
+hold of the horn.  There was a spring of water in the place, and he
+would fain give a draught to his comrade.  Gathering all that he had
+of strength together, he lifted himself from the ground, stumbling
+and staggering he went, but his strength did not suffice for the
+task; before he had gone the length of a furlong he fell staggering
+to the ground, and the agony of death came upon him.
+
+Roland came out of his swoon and lifted himself from the ground.  He
+looked down and he looked up, and lo! on the other side of his dead
+comrades, stretched on the green grass, lay the great prince, the
+Archbishop.  His life was well-nigh spent.  "I have sinned," he said,
+and he clasped his hands and lifted them to heaven, and prayed to God
+that he would take him into Paradise.  And with these words he died.
+This was the end of Turpin.  Never was there a man who dealt with the
+heathen with mightier blows or weightier discourse.  May the blessing
+of God be upon him!
+
+When Roland saw that the Archbishop was dead, his heart was sorely
+troubled in him.  Never did he feel a greater sorrow for comrade
+slain, save Oliver only.  "Charles of France," he said, "come as
+quickly as you may, many a gallant knight have you lost in
+Roncesvalles.  But King Marsilas, on his part, has lost his army.
+For one that has fallen on this side there has fallen full forty on
+that."  So saying he turned to the Archbishop; he crossed the dead
+man's hands upon his breast and said, "I commit thee to the Father's
+mercy.  Never has man served his God with a better will, never since
+the beginning of the world has there lived a sturdier champion of the
+faith.  May God be good to you and give you all good things!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII
+
+THE DEATH OF ROLAND
+
+Now Roland felt that death was near at hand.  In one hand he took his
+horn, and in the other his good sword Durendal, and made his way the
+distance of a furlong or so till he came to a plain, and in the midst
+of the plain a little hill.  On the top of the hill in the shade of
+two fair trees were four marble steps.  There Roland fell in a swoon
+upon the grass.  There a certain Saracen spied him.  The fellow had
+feigned death, and had laid himself down among the slain, having
+covered his body and his face with blood.  When he saw Roland, he
+raised himself from where he was lying among the slain and ran to the
+place, and, being full of pride and fury, seized the Count in his
+arms, crying aloud, "He is conquered, he is conquered, the famous
+nephew of King Charles!  See, here is his sword; 'tis a noble spoil
+that I shall carry back with me to Arabia."  Thereupon he took the
+sword in one hand, with the other he laid hold of Roland's beard.
+But as the man laid hold, Roland came to himself, and knew that some
+one was taking his sword from him.  He opened his eyes but not a word
+did he speak save this only, "Fellow, you are none of ours," and he
+smote him a mighty blow upon his helmet.  The steel he brake through
+and the head beneath, and laid the man dead at his feet.  "Coward,"
+he said, "what made you so bold that you dared lay hands on Roland?
+Whosoever knows him will think you a fool for your deed."
+
+And now Roland knew that death was near at hand.  He raised himself
+and gathered all his strength together--ah me! how pale his face
+was!--and took in his hand his good sword Durendal.  Before him was a
+great rock, and on this in his rage and pain he smote ten mighty
+blows.  Loud rang the steel upon the stone; but it neither brake nor
+splintered.  "Help me," he cried, "O Mary, our Lady.  O my good
+sword, my Durendal, what an evil lot is mine!  In the day when I must
+part with you, my power over you is lost.  Many a battle I have won
+with your help; and many a kingdom have I conquered, that my Lord
+Charles possesses this day.  Never has any one possessed you that
+would fly before another.  So long as I live, you shall not be taken
+from me, so long have you been in the hands of a loyal knight."
+
+Then he smote a second time with the sword, this time upon the marble
+steps.  Loud rang the steel, but neither brake nor splintered.  Then
+Roland began to bemoan himself, "O my good Durendal," he said, "how
+bright and clear thou art, shining as shines the sun!  Well I mind me
+of the day when a voice that seemed to come from heaven bade King
+Charles give thee to a valiant captain; and forthwith the good King
+girded it on my side.  Many a land have I conquered with thee for
+him, and now how great is my grief!  Can I die and leave thee to be
+handled by some heathen?"  And the third time he smote a rock with
+it.  Loud rang the steel, but it brake not, bounding back as though
+it would rise to the sky.  And when Count Roland saw that he could
+not break the sword, he spake again but with more content in his
+heart.  "O Durendal," he said, "a fair sword art thou, and holy as
+fair.  There are holy relics in thy hilt, relics of St. Peter and St.
+Denis and St. Basil.  These heathen shall never possess thee; nor
+shalt thou be held but by a Christian hand."
+
+And now Roland knew that death was very near to him.  He laid himself
+down with his head upon the grass, putting under him his horn and his
+sword, with his face turned towards the heathen foe.  Ask you why he
+did so?  To shew, forsooth, to Charlemagne and the men of France,
+that he died in the midst of victory.  This done he made a loud
+confession of his sins, stretching his hand to heaven.  "Forgive me,
+Lord," he cried, "my sins, little and great, all that I have
+committed since the day of my birth to this hour in which I am
+stricken to death."  So he prayed; and, as he lay, he thought of many
+things, of the countries which he had conquered, and of his dear
+Fatherland France, and of his kinsfolk, and of the good King Charles.
+Nor, as he thought, could he keep himself from sighs and tears; yet
+one thing he remembered beyond all others--to pray for forgiveness of
+his sins.  "O Lord," he said, "who art the God of truth, and didst
+save Daniel Thy prophet from the lions, do Thou save my soul and
+defend it against all perils!"  So speaking he raised his right hand,
+with the gauntlet yet upon it, to the sky, and his head fell back
+upon his arm and the angels carried him to heaven.  So died the great
+Count Roland.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV
+
+HOW CHARLEMAGNE SOUGHT VENGEANCE
+
+Not many hours after these things King Charles came to Roncesvalles.
+It was a grievous sight that he saw; there was not a foot of earth on
+which there lay not the body of some Frenchman or heathen.  And the
+King cried aloud, calling the dead men by name.  "Where are you,
+Roland?" he said; "and you, Oliver?"  All the Twelve Peers whom he
+had left behind to guard the passes he called, but no man answered.
+Charles wept for sadness of heart, and his nobles wept with him;
+there was not one of all that company but had lost son or brother or
+comrade or friend.  Then spake up the Duke Naymes, "Sire," said he,
+"see you that cloud of dust, two leagues away?  'Tis the dust of a
+great multitude, even of the heathen army.  Ride, Sire, and take
+vengeance for these warriors whom you have lost."  "What!" answered
+the King, "are they already so far?  Then must we make haste, for
+they have robbed me of the very flower of France."  Then he turned to
+his nobles, and called four by name, and said to them, "Guard this
+field, these valleys and these hills.  Let the dead lie as they are,
+but take good care that no beast of the field touch them, nor any
+follower of the camp.  Make sure that no one lay a hand upon them
+till I come back."  And the four answered, "So will we do, Sire;" and
+the King left with them a thousand horsemen for a guard.
+
+This done, he made haste to pursue the army of the heathen.  The day
+was drawing to sunset, but yet he overtook the enemy before darkness
+fell.  Some say that God wrought a great miracle for the King,
+staying the sun in the heaven, till he should have avenged him of his
+enemies.  Be that as it may, this is certain, that he overtook the
+Saracens and slew them with a great slaughter.  Many fell by the
+sword, and they who escaped the sword threw themselves into the
+river, the river Ebro, and thus perished by drowning.  And the men of
+France cried, mocking them, "You have seen Roland; but it has not
+turned to your good."
+
+And now the night came on, and the King said, "We must think of our
+camp; 'tis over-late to return to Roncesvalles."  "It is well,"
+answered his nobles.  So they unsaddled their horses, and laid
+themselves down on the green grass and slept.  None kept watch that
+night.  As for the King, he lay down to rest in a certain meadow, his
+spear by his pillow, for he would not be far from his arms.  His good
+sword Joyous was on his side.  It was a marvellous weapon, for it had
+in its hilt the iron of the spear with which the side of the Lord
+Christ was pierced as He hung upon the cross.  For a time the King
+thought with tears about the good knights whom he had lost, Roland
+his nephew, and many another who had fallen on his field.  But at
+last his weariness overcame him, and he slept.  And as he slept he
+dreamed two dreams.  In the first dream he saw how there gathered a
+great tempest in the heavens, with thunders and lightnings and hail
+and wind, and how this fell upon his army, and how the lances caught
+fire, and how the shields glowed with heat, and the corslets rattled
+with the stroke of the hail.  After this he saw how a multitude of
+wild beasts, bears, and leopards, and snakes, and monsters such as
+griffins rushed upon the host as to devour them.  And he heard the
+men cry, "Help us, King Charles, help us!"  But when he would have
+gone to help them a great lion out of the forest flew on him.  Then
+he and the great beast wrestled together.  But who prevailed, he knew
+not.  He did not wake from his sleep, but his dream was changed.  And
+the second dream that he dreamed was this: He thought he was at his
+palace at Aachen, and that he sat upon steps, holding a bear that was
+bound with a double chain.  And in his dream he saw how that there
+came out of the forest of Ardennes thirty other bears who spake each
+with the voice of a man.  "Give him back to us, Sire," they said.
+"It is not right that you should keep him so long.  He is our
+kinsman, and we must help him."  And then--this was his dream--a fair
+greyhound came and attacked the greatest of these wild beasts.  But
+who was the conqueror in this conflict also, he could not see.  After
+this King Charles awoke from his sleep.
+
+Meanwhile King Marsilas came in his flight to Saragossa.  He gave his
+sword and his armour to his servants, and laid himself down in sore
+distress upon the green grass under an olive-tree.  He had lost his
+right hand, and was faint with the bleeding.  Loudly did his Queen
+Branimonde lament over him.  As for his servants they cursed King
+Charles and the land of France, and vehemently reproached their god
+Apollyon.  "Villain of a god!" they cried, "why dost thou put us to
+such shame?  Why dost thou so confound our King?  This is an ill
+return to those who do thee honour."  So saying they took from the
+god his sceptre and crown, and brake him to pieces with their staves.
+Never before was a god so ill-treated of his worshippers.
+
+Then said the Queen to herself, in the midst of her tears, "Now a
+curse upon these gods who have failed us in the day of battle.  We
+have the Emir only who can help us.  Surely he cannot be so base as
+not to fight against these men of France!"  So King Marsilas sent an
+ambassador praying him for help.  "Of a truth," he said, "if you fail
+me I will cast away my gods, and take upon me the faith of Christ,
+and make peace with King Charles."
+
+When the Emir heard this he gathered together the people of his four
+kingdoms, and put them on board a fleet of ships, and set forth to
+sea.  Quickly did they come to the land of Spain; nor did they halt
+till they came to the city of Saragossa.  Then the servants of the
+Emir spread on the grass a carpet of white silk, and on it they set
+an ivory chair.  The Emir sat upon it, and his chiefs stood round
+about.
+
+"Listen!" said the Emir, "This Charles has troubled the land of Spain
+too long.  I will attack him in his own country, even in France.
+Nothing shall hinder me from bringing him to my feet or slaying him."
+And as he spake he struck his knee with the gauntlet of his right
+hand.  Then he called to him two of his chiefs and said, "Go now to
+King Marsilas and say to him: I come to help you against the men of
+France.  Come and pay me homage, and I will make war upon King
+Charles, even in his own land of France.  Verily if he do not fall at
+my feet and beg for pardon, and renounce the faith of Christ, I will
+tear his crown from his head.  Take him also, for a token, this
+gauntlet and this staff of gold."  And all his nobles cried, "It is
+well said."
+
+So the two envoys went, carrying, one the gauntlet and the other the
+staff.  When they had passed through the gates of Saragossa, they saw
+a great multitude of men lamenting.  "The gods have dealt ill with
+us," said they; "our King is wounded to the death, and his son is
+dead, and Spain will be the prey of the Christian dogs."  When they
+were come to the palace they made their salutations, saying,
+
+"Now may Apollyon and Mahomet have King Marsilas and Queen Branimonde
+in their keeping!"  "Nay," said the Queen, "what folly is this?  Our
+gods have deserted us.  See what they suffered to befall the King my
+husband."  The envoy answered, "A truce to such words!  The Emir our
+master bade us say, 'I will deliver King Marsilas; as for this
+Charles, I will attack him in his own land of France.  This gauntlet
+and this staff he sends for a proof of his words.'"  Queen Branimonde
+made answer, "You have no need to go to France.  Here in this land of
+Spain you may meet King Charles, and of a truth you will find him a
+great warrior."
+
+Then said the King, "You see, my lords, that I am in evil case.  I
+have none to come after me, neither son nor daughter.  A son I had
+but yesterday, but the Count Roland slew him.  Say to your master for
+me, I yield you this land of Spain; only guard it against the
+Christians!  And bid him come to me; I will give him useful counsel
+about King Charles; and take him the keys of this city of Saragossa.
+As for Charles he is encamped by the river Ebro, seven leagues hence.
+There will the Emir find him, for of a truth the men of France will
+not refuse the battle."
+
+Then the envoys returned to the Emir, and told him all that
+happened--how King Charles had left Roland and the Peers to guard the
+passes, and how they had been slain, and what great loss King
+Marsilas had suffered, and how he yielded to him the whole land of
+Spain, and how King Charles and his men were in camp by the Ebro.
+Then the Emir commanded his men that they should make ready for the
+march.  "Make haste," he said, "or these Frenchmen will escape us."
+
+Meanwhile King Charles had made search for the body of his nephew,
+the Count Roland, and for the others that had fallen with him.  And
+when these had been found, he caused that the rest should be buried
+with great honour, but three of the bodies, Roland, to wit, and
+Oliver, and Turpin the Archbishop, he commanded to be set aside.  The
+hearts of these three were taken out of their bodies and wrapped in
+silk, and then enclosed in coffins of white marble.  But the bodies
+were wrapped in deer-skins, with store of spices, and set each in a
+carriage, that they might be taken to the town of Blois.
+
+When these things had been done, there came two envoys from the Emir,
+bearing this message.  "The Emir brings against you a great army from
+the land of Arabia.  Take heed, therefore, for he will make proof of
+you to-day, whether you are indeed a man of courage."
+
+The King made no answer to these words, save that he cried to his
+men, with a loud voice, "To arms!  To arms!"  Then without delay he
+armed himself, donning his corslet and lacing his helmet, and taking
+in his hand his good sword Joyous, and when he had mounted his good
+steed he rode forth in front of his army.  "Never was more kingly
+man!" said all the army.  And the King said, as he looked upon the
+army, "Who would not trust such men?  If only these heathen stand
+their ground, surely they shall pay dearly for the death of Roland."
+"God grant it be so!" said the Duke Naymes.  Then the King called to
+him two lords: "You shall take the place of Roland and Oliver; one of
+you shall carry the sword, and one the horn."  And after this he set
+his whole army in array.
+
+Meanwhile the envoys of the Emir returned to him.  "We have seen King
+Charles," they said.  "He is brave, and brave are they that follow
+him, nor will they fail the King.  You will have to do battle with
+them.  Therefore arm yourself."  "That is good news for all that are
+of a good courage," said the Emir.  "Sound the trumpets, that my
+people may make themselves ready."  A mighty warrior was he, with
+deep chest and broad shoulders, over which his hair fell in curls,
+with fair face and shining eyes; of his courage he had given proofs
+without number.  What a gallant knight he had been, were he but a
+Christian man!  He had a sword of renown, which he called Precious,
+and a great bear-spear, Matté by name.  A gallant knight also was the
+Prince Malprime, his son.  "Forward, Sire," said the Prince to his
+father.  "Shall we see King Charles to-day?"  "Yes," answered the
+Emir, "for he is a brave man, and all speak of him with honour.
+Nevertheless, now that he has lost the Count Roland his nephew, he
+can scarcely hold his ground before us.  Yet we shall have a great
+battle to fight."  "Be it so," said the Prince.  "I ask from you the
+honour of striking the first blow."  "It shall be yours," said the
+Emir.
+
+Then the Emir set his battle in array, so that the two hosts stood
+over against each other.  There was neither hill nor valley nor
+forest between them; each was in full sight of the other.  Splendid
+and terrible they were to view, so brightly shone the helmets and
+bucklers and shields and spears.  And bright and clear was the sound
+of the trumpets; but the brightest and clearest of all was the horn
+of Charles the great King.  And first the Emir rode forth in front of
+his army.  "Follow me!" he cried to his army, "I will show you the
+way."  And he brandished his spear, turning the point towards the
+King of France.  And King Charles, on his part, when he saw the Emir,
+and his standard, the Dragon, borne after him, cried with a loud
+voice, "Lords of France, you have fought many battles, and now there
+is yet one more for you to fight.  See, then, this host of heathens.
+Many they are in number.  But what matters the multitude of them?
+Follow me!"  Thereupon he spurred his charger.  The good steed
+bounded forward, and all the men of France cried out, "A brave man is
+our King; not one of us will fail him."  The first that dealt a blow
+to the enemy was the Count Rabel.  Spurring his horse, he charged
+Torlen, the King of Persia, and struck his shield fairly with his
+spear.  The good steel pierced shield and corslet, and the King fell
+dead upon the field.  "Strike! strike for Charles and the Right!"
+cried all the men of France when they saw the Persian fall.
+
+On the other side the Prince Malprime, son to the Emir, rode forward
+on his white horse, charging into the midst of the army of France,
+and striking down warrior after warrior.  "See!" cried the Emir,
+"see, my son, how he is seeking for the King of the French!  There is
+no better soldier than he.  Follow him and the victory shall be
+yours, and all the prizes of victory, lands, and castles, and gold
+and fair women."  Nor did the chiefs of the heathen delay to charge.
+Fiercely did they ride forward, and the battle raged over the plain.
+When the Duke Naymes saw how the Prince Malprime was breaking the
+ranks of France, dealing death at every blow, he charged him, spear
+in rest.  He drave the point through the upper rim of his shield and
+through his corslet, deep into his side, and laid him dead on the
+field.  But when King Canaben, who was uncle to the Prince, saw what
+had befallen his nephew, he rode at the Duke, and, drawing his sword,
+dealt him a great blow on the helmet.  Half of the helmet and laces
+wherewith it was laced were shorn off by the stroke, and the edge of
+the sword touched the flesh itself.  The Duke yet clung with one arm
+to the neck of his horse; if the heathen deal him another such blow
+he is lost.  But, thanks to God, King Charles came to his help.  He
+struck King Canaben through the vizor of his helmet with his
+boar-spear, and with the one blow laid him dead to the ground.
+
+Elsewhere in the field the Emir wrought great havoc in the ranks of
+France, slaying chief after chief, among them the old man Richard,
+Duke of the Normans.  Behind him followed many heathen knights.  Many
+valorous deeds they did.  Where the Emir led the ranks of the heathen
+there the men of France suffered grievous loss, and now there came
+one who brought him tidings of ill.  "The Prince Malprime, your son,
+is slain," said the man; "also King Canaben, your brother, is slain."
+The Emir had well-nigh died of grief to hear such evil news; but he
+called to him one of his wisest counsellors.  "Come near," said he;
+"you are loyal and wise, and I have ever followed your counsel.  Tell
+me now, will the day go for the Arabs or for the men of France?"
+"Sire," the sage replied, "you are in evil case.  As for your gods,
+look not to them for help.  Call now your Turks and Arabs, and, above
+all, your Giants to the front.  With them you may yet win the day."
+
+Then the Emir put his horn to his mouth and blew a call, loud and
+clear.  The Turks and the Arabs and the Giants answered thereto.
+Mighty warriors they were, and fierce was the charge they made; so
+fierce that they brake the army of France in twain.  But when Ogier
+the Dane saw what had befallen the King's army he said to him, "See
+you how the heathen are breaking our ranks and slaying our men.  If
+you would bear your crown where it should be borne you must strike
+with all your might."
+
+Then the King rode forward, and with him the Duke Naymes, and Ogier
+the Dane, and Geoffrey Count of Anjou.  All quitted themselves as
+good knights, but there was none who bore himself so bravely as Ogier
+the Dane.  Many he slew, among them the heathen knight who carried
+the Emir's standard.  Sore discouraged was the Emir when he saw his
+standard in the dust, but the heart of King Charles was high with
+hope.  "Sons of France, will you help me?" he cried.  "'Tis a wrong
+even to ask us," said they; "cursed be he who shall not strike with
+his whole heart!"  And now, as the day drew to the evening, these two
+met in combat, King Charles and the Emir.  Fierce was the encounter
+between them, and many and sore were the blows they dealt the one to
+the other.  At last it chanced that the bands of each man's saddle
+was cleft through, so that they fell both to the ground.  Quickly did
+they rise to their feet, and drawing their swords, closed fiercely in
+fight.  It was, indeed, a battle to the death.  First the Emir spoke,
+saying, "King Charles, you have slain my son; you have wrongfully
+invaded my land.  Yet if you will pay me homage I will grant it to
+you to hold in fief."  "That were a foul disgrace," King Charles made
+answer; "never will I grant to a heathen either peace or life.
+Become a Christian, and you shall have all that I have to give."
+"These are but idle words," answered the Emir; "I had sooner die."
+And as he spake he dealt King Charles a mighty blow upon the helmet.
+The sword brake the iron, and shore away a palm's breadth of the
+scalp.  The King reeled in his place, and had well-nigh fallen to the
+ground.  But God willed otherwise, for the angel that guarded him
+whispered in his ear, "Charles, what doest thou?"  And when he heard
+the angel's voice he thought no more of danger or death.  Gathering
+all his strength into one mighty blow, he severed the enemy's head in
+twain.  Down to the chin he cleft it, and the Emir fell dead upon the
+plain.
+
+So soon as the heathen saw that their leader was slain they fled in
+hot haste, and the men of France pursued them even to the walls of
+Saragossa.  There stood Queen Branimonde, with her priests about her,
+waiting and watching for news of the war.  But when the Queen saw the
+multitude of them that fled she hastened to King Marsilas, and said
+to him, "O Sire, our people are vanquished, and the Emir is dead."
+When King Marsilas heard these words he turned him to the wall, and
+covered his face and wept.  So great was his grief that his heart was
+broken in his breast, and he died.
+
+As for the town, none of the heathen had any thought of defending it.
+They suffered the gates to be broken down without any hindrance, and
+the Queen surrendered to King Charles all the towers, great and
+small.  Of a truth, he works well who works with God.
+
+As soon as it was day King Charles bade his men break down all the
+things that the heathen counted holy.  As for the people, they were
+brought to the water of baptism.  Such as were not willing to be
+baptized into the faith, these the King caused to be hanged, or slain
+with the sword, or burnt with the fire.  But the greater part readily
+obeyed the King's command, and were made good Christians, one hundred
+thousand of them at the least.
+
+After these things the King departed from Saragossa, leaving a
+thousand men to keep the town for him.  He took Queen Branimonde with
+him; also he took the bodies of Roland and Oliver and of Turpin the
+Archbishop, and caused them to be honourably buried at Blois.
+
+When King Charles was come back to the fair town of Aachen, it was
+told him that a fair lady desired to see him.  So he commanded that
+she should be brought before him.  When she came back she was Alda
+the Fair.  She said, "Tell me, O King, where is the Earl Roland?  He
+is promised to be my husband."  The King was greatly troubled to hear
+these words.  He wept and tore his white beard.  "My sister," he
+said, when he found his speech, "my dear sister.  You ask me news of
+a dead man.  But comfort yourself.  Roland we shall see no more, but
+you shall have my son Lewis, he that is to be Warden of the Marches,
+in his place."  "These are strange words," said Alda the Fair; "God
+and His blessed saints forbid that I should live now that my Roland
+is dead," and as she spake she grew deadly pale, and fell at the
+King's feet, and when they took her up, lo! she was dead.  When the
+King saw this he called to him four countesses and bade them carry
+her to a nunnery that was hard by.  All that night these noble ladies
+watched by her dead body; the day following she was buried by the
+altar with great honour.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV
+
+OF THE PUNISHMENT OF GANELON
+
+The King sent messengers to all parts of his dominions, bidding all
+the judges learned in the law come to him at his palace at Aachen.
+So the judges came as he commanded, and were gathered together on the
+Feast of St. Silvester, which was the last day of December.  When
+they were all assembled he bade the Serjeants fetch Ganelon out of
+his prison, and bring him before the judges.  When they had done
+this, the King said, "My Lords, I would have you judge this man
+Ganelon.  He came with me when I went with my army to the land of
+Spain; he has robbed me of twenty thousand men of France; he has
+robbed me of Roland my nephew, whom we shall see no more, and of
+Oliver the courteous knight, and of the Twelve Peers of France--and
+all this he has done for the sake of money."
+
+"It is true," said Ganelon; "may a curse fall on me if I deny it.
+But listen; Roland did me wrong in the matter of gold and silver.
+Therefore I sought to revenge myself upon him; and I compassed his
+death.  That I confess; but I deny that I wrought any treason."  So
+Ganelon spake, as he stood before the King.  He was of a fair
+presence, and had been a noble knight if only he had been true of
+heart.
+
+Ganelon spake again, saying, "I beseech you, my lords, to hear my
+defence.  When I was in the King's army I served him loyally and
+well.  But my nephew Roland cherished in his heart a great hatred of
+me, and would have done me to death.  Did he not bring it about that
+I was sent on an embassy to King Marsilas?  If I escaped, it was of
+my own contriving.  Thereupon I bade defiance to Roland and to Oliver
+and to all his company, as the King and all here present will bear
+witness.  This was revenge, I confess, but I affirm it was not
+treason."
+
+Now there had come to the support of Ganelon thirty men of his
+kindred, of whom the chief was a certain Pinabel.  A great orator was
+this Pinabel, when there was need of pleading a cause, and a good
+soldier also, when there was need of arms.  To him said Ganelon, "I
+trust in you, and you only; you can deliver me from dishonour and
+death."  "You shall have a champion," answered Pinabel; "the first
+man that shall pronounce against you the sentence of death, to him
+will I give the lie with the edge of this sword."  Thereupon Ganelon
+fell at his feet and thanked him.
+
+A great company from many regions were gathered together to the King
+at Aachen; men from Saxony and from Bavaria, and from Poitou,
+Normans, and French, and Germans from beyond the Rhine.  And of all
+none had more favour for Ganelon than the barons of Auvergne.  "Let
+the matter rest where it is," said they.  "We will beseech the King
+to show mercy to Ganelon.  Roland is dead, and all the gold and
+silver in the world will not bring him back.  As for fighting, it is
+sheer folly."  To this all the barons agreed--all save one, Thierry,
+to wit, that was brother to Geoffrey of Anjou.  Thereupon the barons
+of Auvergne went to the King and said, "Sire, we beseech you, to hold
+the Count quit of this charge.  Henceforth he will serve you with all
+good faith and loyalty.  Suffer him to live, for he is a nobleman.
+As for Roland, he is dead and neither gold nor silver will bring him
+back."  "You are nothing but traitors, all of you!" cried the King in
+great anger.  But when he saw how the barons favoured these words, he
+was greatly troubled.  Thereupon Thierry, that was brother to
+Geoffrey of Anjou, stood before him, and said, "Trouble not yourself,
+my good lord.  Beyond all doubt, this Ganelon is a traitor.  Though
+Roland may have done him wrong, for your sake he should have suffered
+him to go unscathed.  Therefore I pronounce sentence of death upon
+him, that he be hanged by the heels till he die, and that they throw
+his carcase to the dogs.  This is the just punishment of traitors.
+And if any kinsman of his say me nay, then will I give him the lie
+with the edge of the sword."  So spake the Count Thierry, and all the
+men of France cried with one voice, "It is well said."
+
+Pinabel, when he heard these words, came near to the King.  "Sire,"
+said he, "bid them cease from this clamour.  The Count Thierry has
+given his judgment; I, for my part, say that he has lied.  Let us put
+the matter to the trial of the sword."  "So be it," answered the
+King; "but I must have hostages."  Thereupon thirty kinsmen of the
+Count offered themselves.  And the King, on his part offered hostages
+also.
+
+First the two champions made confession and received absolution.
+Also they gave great alms to the poor.  After this they armed
+themselves for the battle.  There is a great plain near to the city
+of Aachen; on this the two champions met to do battle, the one for
+the good name of Roland and his comrades, the other for Ganelon.
+First they charged with their spears in rest.  So equally matched
+were they that neither gained any advantage in the encounter.  The
+spurs of both were broken; the corslets of both were broken through,
+and the belts of the horses were so torn that the saddles turned in
+their place.  So the two champions were unhorsed.  Quickly did they
+leap to their feet, and fall to with their swords.  Mighty blows did
+they both deal, and the men of France were in great fear.  Then
+Pinabel cried aloud, "Take back your words, Count Thierry, I will be
+your friend and comrade, and divide my wealth with you, if only you
+will make Ganelon friends with the King."  "Far be it from me!"
+answered Thierry.  "Never will I do such a thing.  God shall judge
+between us."  After a while he spake again; "Pinabel, you are a true
+knight, strong, and of a noble presence, and all men know your
+courage.  Have done with this battle.  I will make peace between you
+and the King.  As for Ganelon, let him have his deserts."  "God
+forbid," answered Pinabel, "that I should desert my kinsman."  So the
+champions turned again to the duel.  First Pinabel struck a mighty
+blow, and wounded Thierry on the right cheek, coming near to slay him
+outright.  But God preserved him, for was he not champion of the
+right!  Then Thierry, in his turn, smote his adversary.  On the
+helmet fell the blow, cleaving it in twain, and the skull beneath, so
+that the man's brain was scattered on the earth.
+
+Then came the punishment.  The King asked, "What shall we do with
+those that pledged themselves for the traitor's innocence?"  "Let
+them be hanged," answered the nobles.  And this was done.  As for
+Ganelon, they lashed his limbs to four horses, so that he was torn
+into four pieces.  This was the end of the traitor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI
+
+HOW KING CHARLES SENT HUON ON AN ERRAND
+
+King Charles, being now advanced in years and desiring rest, was
+minded to lay down his power.  He called, therefore, his Barons
+together and said to them, "I am weary of my kingship.  Say now to
+which of my two sons, Charlot and Lewis, I shall resign it.  For
+Lewis indeed is over young, and Charlot is not of such conditions as
+to be fit for such dignity."  The Barons answered, "Sire, let us
+consider the matter by ourselves."  So they went apart and considered
+it, and it seemed meet to them that Prince Charlot should be King.
+
+Now there was among the Barons a certain Amaury, who was of kin to
+the traitor Ganelon.  This Amaury said to the King, "It would be well
+to try the Prince Charlot.  Now there is the Duchy of Bordeaux, whose
+Princes, Huon and Gerard, have not yet taken the oath to you.  If you
+will give me some soldiers I will bring them prisoners hither, and
+your son Charlot shall have their land.  This shall be his trial
+before he have the kingdom of France."
+
+But the Duke Naymes, being both wise and true of heart, said to the
+King, "This is no good counsel of Amaury.  The Princes are young,
+and, maybe, they have not failed in their duty to you of set purpose,
+but rather unknowingly.  Send therefore messengers to Bordeaux and
+bid them come to your Court.  If they obey, well; but if not, then
+you shall deal with them by Amaury's counsel."
+
+So the King sent messengers to Bordeaux, and the Princes received
+them with great honour.  And when they had delivered their message,
+the Duchess said, "I thank the King; my sons will certainly come to
+do him homage when I shall have made them ready for their journey."
+So the messengers went back to the King and told him these words, and
+he was very glad, and said, "A good tree puts forth good fruit; Duke
+Sevyn of Bordeaux was a good man, and his sons are good men also.
+But as for this mischief-maker Amaury, I banish him from the land of
+France."
+
+Then went Amaury to Prince Charlot and said: "I had thought to win
+for you the Duchy of Bordeaux.  But the Duke Naymes has thwarted me.
+Nevertheless, the lands may yet be yours if only we can be rid of the
+Princes Huon and Gerard.  Let us fall on them when they ride this
+way."
+
+These two, then, lay in wait in a wood by which they knew the two
+should pass.  Now Amaury's purpose was double, either that Huon and
+his brother should be slain, or if they should slay Charlot, then
+they should be accused to the King of this deed and suffer
+accordingly.  So now he said to Charlot, "Yonder are Huon and Gerard;
+ride out against them, for they are but weaklings."  To his men he
+said, "Let the Prince go alone; he needs not your help."
+
+So Charlot rode forth and held the way by which the two brothers must
+pass.  Then Huon said to his brother, "Go now and see what this
+knight demands; if he ask for toll, being master of the way, we will
+pay it."  So Gerard rode forward.  Prince Charlot said to him, "Who
+are you?"  Gerard answered, "We are sons of Sevyn that was Duke of
+Bordeaux, on whom God have mercy."  "Then," said the Prince, "you are
+sons of a villain.  Sevyn took from me three castles, and I could
+never have justice of him.  Now, therefore, you shall suffer for this
+wrong."  "Sir," answered Gerard, "you see that I am without arms.  It
+were a foul shame if you should slay me.  But if you have suffered
+wrong we will make you amends."  "I will have no amends," cried the
+Prince, "but vengeance."  And when Gerard turned to flee, being
+unarmed, and fearing for his life, he rode at him and smote him with
+his spear, so that he fell to the ground as one dead.
+
+When Huon saw this deed he was greatly troubled, thinking that his
+brother was slain.  Spurring his horse, he rode with all haste, and
+overtook the Prince ere ever he came to the wood.  He cried, "Who are
+you that have slain my brother without any cause?"  Charlot answered,
+"I am son of Duke Thierry," for he would not be known; also he had
+disguised his shield, "and this I have done because your father took
+from me three castles, and I could never have justice of him."  Huon
+said, "You are a false knight and a murderer, and I defy you."  Then
+he wrapped his scarlet cloak about his arm and drew his sword, for
+other arms or armour he had none, and rode against the Prince.  The
+Prince, on his part, spurred his horse and charged Huon with his
+spear in rest.  He drave his spear through the cloak and through the
+gown that Huon wore, and through the shirt that was under the gown,
+but the body he missed.  Huon, on his part, raising his sword in both
+his hands, smote Charlot as he passed so fierce a blow that he brake
+his helmet in twain.  So, the steel entering his brain, he fell dead
+upon the ground.
+
+Then Huon, lighting from his horse, searched for Gerard's wound, and
+finding that it was of less account than he had thought, bound it up
+with a strip of his shirt.  Then he set him on an ambling nag that he
+had in his train, that he might ride the more easily.  So the two
+went forward on their way to Paris, for Huon would make complaint to
+the King that, having a safe conduct, he had been so foully assailed.
+
+Amaury's knights said to him, "What shall we do now?  The Prince lies
+dead on the plain.  It were ill done if he that slew him should be
+suffered to escape."  Amaury answered, "We will take up the body and
+carry it to Paris, and so accuse him before the King."  So he and his
+knights followed Huon and his company, carrying the body of Charlot
+with them.
+
+Huon, when he was come to Paris, went in and stood before the King,
+and told him what things had befallen him.  First he said, "Sire, see
+this my brother, how he has been wounded."  And as he spoke he pulled
+aside Gerard's doublet and his shirt, and showed the wound beneath.
+And the lad fell in a swoon before the King and his lords, so great
+was the pain that he suffered.  The King had a great pity for the
+wounded man, and bade fetch his own surgeon that he might dress the
+wound.  He said also, "If I find out the man that has done this deed,
+I will deal with him in such fashion as shall never be forgotten."
+
+After this Huon told the story how he had been assailed, and how he
+had slain his adversary.  When the King heard it he said, "Now were
+this false knight my own son Charlot, whom I love with all my heart,
+I should not deny that he had met with his deserts."
+
+While the King was yet speaking there was heard a great outcry in the
+street, for the body of the Prince was being carried through the town
+and the people lamented over it.  The King said to the Duke Naymes,
+"Go now and see what this outcry may mean."  So the Duke went, but
+when he came to the great gate of the palace there was the body of
+Prince Charlot lying on a shield and borne by four knights.
+
+When the body was brought in and laid down before the King he said in
+a loud voice, "Tell me now who has done this deed and for what
+cause."  Amaury answered, "The man who did this deed sits yonder.  He
+is none other than Huon of Bordeaux."  When the King heard these
+words he would have fallen on Huon and slain him, only the Duke
+Naymes and others of his Barons held him back.
+
+Then said Huon to the King, "Believe me, Sire, that I knew not this
+knight to be your son; verily, had I known it I should not have come
+to make my complaint to you as I have done this day.  Rather should I
+have fled away and hidden myself as best I could."
+
+Then said the Duke Naymes to the King, "Let now Amaury stand forth
+and tell us why he lay in ambush in the wood with your son, and what
+purpose he had in his mind."
+
+And Amaury stood forth and told this tale: "Sir, your son sent a
+message to me, desiring that I should go a-hawking with him.  So I
+went with him, only we went armed, for I feared the men of Ardennes
+lest they should fall upon us.  It chanced that we came to a little
+wood, and there we cast our hawks, and one of the hawks was lost.
+While we sought for it there came by Huon and his brother, and Huon
+had the hawk on his fist.  Then your son full courteously required
+his own again, and Huon for answer drew his sword and slew your son,
+which when he had done he rode away so fast that we could not
+overtake him; and now I challenge him to say that he knew not the
+knight that demanded the hawk to be your son."
+
+Then said Huon, "I will prove that this Amaury is a false liar, and
+will make him confess that I knew not the knight whom I slew to be
+the King's son.  And for my surety I give my brother Gerard, than
+whom there is none nearer of kin to me."  Amaury on his part gave as
+surety two nephews that he had.
+
+The King said to the Duke Naymes, "Let them prepare a field where
+these two shall fight, and till it be prepared shut them up in a
+tower, and let a hundred knights be ready to keep the field when it
+is prepared.  For I will not suffer my son to be buried till the
+vanquished man be hanged, if he have not been already slain in the
+field."
+
+When all was ready, the two champions took each his oath upon the
+holy relics that he had spoken the truth, and then made themselves
+ready for the fight.  But men noted that Amaury, when he would have
+mounted his horse, stumbled so that he had well-nigh fallen to the
+ground.  Then, after proclamation made that no one should presume
+under pain of death to make any sign to either of the combatants, the
+King stood up and said, "My pleasure is that if no confession be made
+of the truth, then the vanquisher shall forfeit all his land and be
+banished from this realm."  And from this judgment he would not
+depart, though the Duke Naymes and the other Barons did protest that
+the King was unjust.
+
+After this the two knights joined battle.  First they charged on
+horseback, breaking both of them their spears, and with so great a
+shock that their horses fell to the ground.  Then both of them rose
+to their feet, and fought with their swords.  First Amaury smote Huon
+on the helmet so strongly that he well-nigh stunned him.  Indeed Huon
+was fain to rest for a space on one knee.  When Amaury saw this, he
+cried, "Huon, you cannot hold out longer; it were well for you to
+confess your ill-doing."  But Huon answered, "Be silent, false
+traitor," and he made as if he would strike him on the helmet; but
+when Amaury raised his sword to guard the blow, then Huon turned
+suddenly his stroke, and smote the man under his guard so that he
+lopped off his left arm.  When Amaury saw that he was so disabled, he
+bethought him of a base device.  He said to Huon, "I do confess that
+I spoke falsely and that you knew not that the knight was Charlot.
+Therefore I yield me to your grace.  Come, therefore, and receive my
+sword, which I willingly yield to you."  But when Huon came near to
+take the sword, Amaury smote him on the arm, thinking to do him the
+same damage that he had himself endured.  This stroke he missed, yet
+made a great wound, so that the blood flowed down.  Then said Huon,
+"Take this, false traitor!" and he slew the man with one stroke, but
+for repentance or confession there was no space of time.
+
+Then said the King, "Did the vanquished man confess?"  And when he
+heard that no confession had been made he said to Huon, "I banish you
+for ever from this realm.  Never shall you hold one foot of land in
+Bordeaux or Aquitaine."  Nor would he abate one jot from this
+sentence, for all that Huon begged him to have mercy, and the Duke
+Naymes with the other Barons were urgent with him that he should not
+do this great injustice.  Nevertheless at the last when he saw that
+he was left alone, for the Duke with his fellows had departed from
+the palace, he was constrained to relent somewhat from his purpose.
+So he called the Barons, saying, "Come back to me, for I must
+perforce yield to your desire."  To Huon he said, for the young man
+knelt before him with much humbleness, "Will you do that thing which
+I command?"  And Huon answered, "Sire, there is nothing in the whole
+world that I would not do at your bidding, if I might thereby be
+restored to your grace.  Verily I would go to the gates of hell, as
+did Hercules, if you should send me thither."  The King answered,
+"Maybe, Huon, I shall send you to a worse place than that to which
+went Hercules, for of fifteen messengers that have already gone
+thither there has not come back to me a single one.  Hear then what I
+shall say: you shall go to the city of Babylon and enter the palace
+of Gaudys that is Admiral of the city when he sits at his dinner.
+And you shall defy him, and shall take the sceptre from his hand.
+This sceptre shall you render into my hands.  After this I will take
+you again into favour, and will give back to you your lands."  The
+Barons said, "Sir, you must greatly desire the death of him whom you
+send on such an errand."  The King answered, "Let him never come back
+to France except he bring the Admiral's sceptre with him."  Nor would
+he grant him any further grace, save that ten knights should go with
+him.  So Huon made ready to go.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII
+
+HOW HUON MET WITH KING OBERON
+
+There is no need to tell all Huon's journeyings after he had departed
+from Paris.  Let it suffice to say that he went to Rome and there
+received the blessing of the Pope; and that he took ship at
+Brandys,[1] and, traversing the Inland Sea, so came to Holy Land,
+and, having landed at Jaffa, he came on the second day to Jerusalem.
+And he had for his comrade a certain Garyn, who was his mother's
+brother, for Huon was son to Duke Sevyn of Bordeaux.  At Jerusalem,
+when they had worshipped at the Holy Sepulchre, Huon said to his
+uncle, "I thank you much for your great kindness in that you have
+borne me company so far.  Now then return to your lady, my aunt, and
+to your children."  "Not so," answered Garyn, "I will not leave you
+till you shall return yourself to your own land."
+
+
+[1] Brindisi.
+
+
+From Jerusalem they passed through the desert suffering much from
+heat and thirst.  On their way they saw a hut, in the door of which
+sat an old man with a long white beard, who, when Huon saluted him in
+the name of God, first began to weep, and then caught Huon's hand,
+and kissed it many times.  "'Tis thirty years," he said, "since I
+have seen the face of a Christian man.  And now looking upon you I
+remember me of a noble peer whom I knew long since in the land of
+France, Duke Sevyn of Bordeaux.  But now I pray you rest awhile."
+
+So Huon and Garyn tied their horses to trees, and sat down and talked
+with the old man.  And when Huon had told his story, then the old man
+related how he had been sent on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, because he
+had slain a knight in a tourney, and how on his way home he had been
+taken prisoner by Saracens and carried to Babylon, from which place
+he had escaped after two years.  "But," said he, "I have not been
+able to return home, but have dwelt in this place ever since."
+
+Huon said, "It is to Babylon that I go.  Tell me now what road I
+should follow."  The old man answered, "There are two roads to
+Babylon, one of forty days' journey and one of fifteen only.  But the
+shorter road is beset by a certain Oberon, King of the Fairies.  This
+Oberon is very pleasant to look upon, and his voice very sweet, but
+be sure that you do not speak to him, for he that speaks to him is
+lost for ever.  Yet, if you will not speak to him, he will hinder
+your journey by his magic.  I counsel you, therefore, that you take
+not the shorter way."
+
+This counsel did not please Huon, who said, "If I can gain so much
+time by only keeping my tongue from speech, I will surely do so."
+"If this be your will," answered the old man, whose name, it should
+be said, was Gerames, "I will go with you."
+
+The next day they set forth.  At noon they rested awhile under an
+oak, and as they rested, Oberon came by, very richly clad in a
+garment garnished with precious stones, and holding in his hand a
+very precious bow.  A horn also hung to his neck by two chains of
+gold.  There never was such a horn in this world.  One note of it
+could cure all kinds of sickness; another could satisfy hunger and
+thirst, yet another could lighten all heaviness of heart, and a
+fourth could draw any one that heard it even against his will.
+
+As Oberon rode by, he blew a note upon his horn, and when he heard
+it, Huon forgot all the hunger and thirst that he had.  And Oberon
+cried, "I pray you speak to me."  But Huon, mindful of the counsel of
+Gerames, answered not a word, but rode away.  Then Oberon in his
+anger blew again on his horn, and straightway there arose a great
+storm, so that they could scarcely win their way against it; after
+the storm there appeared a great river in their way, very black and
+deep, and rushing with a terrible noise; also on the other side of
+the river there appeared a very fair castle, which when they had
+looked on it awhile vanished out of their sight.
+
+[Illustration: HUON MEETING WITH OBERON.]
+
+Gerames said, "Ride on now, taking no account of these things."  And
+this they did.  When they had ridden some five leagues, and had seen
+nothing more, Huon said, "We are well escaped from this Oberon."
+Gerames answered, "Not so; we shall see him again."  And while he
+spake, they saw Oberon on the other side of a bridge by which they
+must pass.  Huon said, "See, there is the devil who makes all this
+trouble."  Oberon heard these words, and cried, "Sir, you do me
+wrong; I am no devil, nor of an ill nature, and I entreat you that
+you speak with me."  But Huon answered him not a word.
+
+After certain days, Oberon appeared again and said, "I conjure you by
+the name of God that you speak to me.  I know who you are, and why
+you are come hither"--and he told him all that had befallen him, the
+slaying of Charlot and the anger of the King--"and be sure that you
+cannot accomplish the thing for which you are come, save by my help."
+"Sir," answered Huon, "you are welcome."  And Oberon said, "You will
+win for yourself a great reward by those words."
+
+He had scarcely said these words when there rose up before them a
+very fair palace, and in the palace there was a hall, and in the hall
+a table of gold, set with cups and plates and dishes and all manner
+of meats thereon.  At this they sat down, and feasted joyously.  And
+Oberon told Huon how he came to be as he was, for he was but as a
+child to look upon.  "When I was christened," said he, "my father
+gave a royal feast to all the people, and called the fairies also.
+But one fairy was not called, and she, being, greatly angered, said,
+'This child shall not grow one whit after his third year.'  But
+afterwards repenting said, 'Though this be so, yet there shall not be
+a fairer child than he."  And when they were satisfied, Huon said,
+"Have we your leave to depart?"  Oberon answered, "You shall go when
+you wish, but first I would show you something."  And he said to a
+knight, "Go, fetch me my cup."  So the knight brought him a cup.
+This Oberon took in his hands, and made over it the sign of the
+cross, and straightway the cup was filled to the brim with wine.
+"See," said he, "this cup.  If a man be in deadly sin, there shall be
+never a drop of wine in the cup when he holds it; but if he be out of
+sin, then it shall fill for him.  Take it now and make a trial of
+it."  Huon answered, "I count not myself to be worthy of such a
+thing; yet thus much will I say, that I do repent me of all that I
+have done amiss, and that I forgive all men what they may have done
+amiss to me."  Then he took the cup in his hands, and straightway it
+was full of wine.  Then Oberon said, "Take this cup, for you are
+worthy of it, and this horn also.  But beware that you use it not
+except of necessity."  And when he had looked upon Huon awhile, he
+said, "Huon, I love you well, but I foresee that you will suffer many
+things by reason of your folly."  And he suffered him and his
+companions to depart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII
+
+OF THE END OF THE FALSE DUKE MACAIRE
+
+Huon and his companions rode on till they came to the city of
+Tormont.  At the gate they met a man with a bow in his hand, who had
+been hunting in the wood.  Huon saluted him in the name of God, and
+would know by what name the city was called.  When the man heard the
+salutation, he said, "Sir, speak softly, I pray you; if the Duke of
+this city should know you to be Christian man, he would assuredly
+slay you.  I am a Christian man myself, but keep it hidden for fear
+of my life."
+
+"I am journeying to Babylon," said Huon, "and would fain tarry a
+night in the city, for I and my company are weary."  "Sir," answered
+the stranger, "I counsel you not to tarry; should the Duke know of
+your coming, you would hardly save your lives."  But Huon said, "The
+day is far spent, and we are weary.  Nor does a wise traveller leave
+a good town."  Then said the stranger, "If you are purposed to do
+this thing, I will take you to a lodging, where you shall be safe."
+So the man took Huon and his companions to the house of the Provost
+of the city.
+
+Huon greeted the Provost, as he had greeted the man at the gate, and
+the Provost answered him in the same fashion: "Speak softly," he
+said, "for if the Duke should hear of this, you would be lost.
+Nevertheless you are right welcome to my house."  Then he bade Huon
+and his companions enter, and when they had refreshed themselves,
+they supped with great plenty.  Supper being ended, Huon said to
+Gerames, "Cause now that proclamation be made that any man in the
+city that will may come and sup free of all cost.  And go you into
+the city, and buy bread and meat and other things needful, and I,
+with my cup, will give them drink."  And so it was done, and there
+was never a beggar or vagabond in the whole city but came to the
+supper.  And Huon ministered to them wine from the cup.
+
+Now it should be told that the Duke of the city of Tormont was by
+name Macaire, and was uncle to Huon.  But he had forsworn his
+Christian faith, and was full of hatred against all Christian men.
+About this time he chanced to send his steward into the city to buy
+provisions.  But when the steward found that everything had been
+sold, he came again to his master, and said, "I can get nothing in
+the town for your supper.  There is a young man lodged in the
+Provost's house that has bought all the victuals that were in the
+city, and has feasted therewith all the rogues and vagabonds in it."
+When the Duke heard this he said, "I will go and see this fellow."
+And he bade his knights arm themselves, and come with him.  As he
+went there came one that had been at the supper, who said, "There is
+a young man that has a most wonderful cup.  If all the people from
+the east to the west should drink thereof, it would not fail."  Then
+the Duke said to himself, "I will have that cup."  So he and his men
+went to the Provost's house.
+
+When the Provost saw the Duke coming, he said to Huon, "Here comes
+the Duke; I know not how you will fare."  "Trouble not yourself,"
+answered Huon; and when the Duke came into the house, he said to him
+in a cheerful voice, "Sir, you are welcome."  "What mean you by this
+tumult?  Why did you bid all these rogues to supper?"  "Sir,"
+answered Huon, "I am bound on a journey to the Red Sea; these poor
+folk I have thus entertained that they may pray for me that I may
+come back safely."  "This is foolishness," said the Duke; "what will
+their prayers profit you if you lose your head?"  "Sir," answered
+Huon, "be content.  Sit down now with your knights, and sup with us;
+if I have done aught amiss I will make due amends."
+
+So the Duke and his knights sat down, seeming to be content.  And
+when they had supped, Huon serving them all the time full
+courteously, he took the cup and showed it to the Duke, saying, "Is
+not this cup empty?"  "'Tis so," said the Duke, "I see nothing
+therein."  Then Huon made the sign of the cross over the cup, and
+straightway it was full of wine.  But when he gave it to the Duke,
+lo! in a moment it was empty.  Said the Duke, "What magic is this?"
+"'Tis no magic," answered Huon.  "Because you are in sin, therefore
+the cup became empty in your hands."
+
+The Duke was not a little wroth; nevertheless he dissembled his
+anger, and said, "Tell me now your name and your kindred, and of what
+country you are."  And when he heard these things, he said, "Fair
+sir, you are my nephew; you should lodge nowhere but with me."  "I
+thank you, sir," answered Huon.  But Gerames said, "'Tis safer
+lodging with the Provost."
+
+On the morrow Huon would have departed, but the Duke said, "Tarry
+awhile, fair nephew, till my Barons shall come, for I would have them
+go with you to your journey's end."  "I am content," answered Huon,
+"if you will have it so."
+
+The Duke, purposing to slay his nephew, said to a certain Geoffrey, a
+knight who had come with him from France, and had also renounced the
+Christian faith, "Bring now five or six score of soldiers, and let
+them slay this Huon and all his train.  Let not one escape, if you
+would not lose my favour."  To this Geoffrey consented.
+
+But when Geoffrey was gone out from the Duke's presence, he said to
+himself, "This is a villainous deed that the Duke would have me to
+do, the slaying of his own nephew.  I remember what great service
+this man's father, the Duke Sevyn, did me when I was in France,
+saving my life when I was overpowered by my enemies.  It were a
+shameful thing to deal with his son in this fashion."
+
+Now there were in the castle some six score prisoners out of the land
+of France who had been taken captive on the seas.  Geoffrey, having
+charge of these prisoners, for he was in high authority under the
+Duke, went to the dungeons where they lay, and said to them, "Sirs,
+if you would save your lives, follow me."  This they were well
+content to do.  So he took them to the chamber where the arms were
+kept, and armed them all.  Having done this he said, "Sirs, now it is
+time to show your courage, if you would have freedom instead of
+bondage."  And he told them how the Duke had sent for pagan men to
+slay his nephew.  "But you," he said, "when the time comes, will not
+slay but succour him."
+
+So the prisoners, being clad in armour, and having swords by their
+sides, followed Geoffrey to the hall where the Duke and Huon sat at
+dinner; and when they had entered the hall, Huon said to his uncle,
+"Are these the Barons who shall conduct me on my journey?" for he was
+very desirous to depart.  The Duke, thinking that Geoffrey had
+fulfilled his commandment, said, "Not so, my nephew; these are
+soldiers whom I have sent for that they may slay you."
+
+When Huon heard this he stood upon his feet, and put his helmet on
+his head and prepared to fight for his life.  Geoffrey, on his part,
+said to the prisoners, "Show yourselves men, fair sirs, and suffer
+not a single pagan to escape!" And the prisoners fell on the company
+that was gathered at dinner with the Duke, and slew them.
+
+As for the Duke, when he saw how he had been deceived, he fled by a
+secret way that he knew, and, leaping from a window, so escaped.  But
+Geoffrey and the Frenchmen shut to the gates, and drew up the
+drawbridge, thinking to defend themselves in the castle, for they
+knew that the Duke would not be content till he had recovered it.
+
+In no long time the Duke, having gathered together a great company of
+men, laid siege to the castle.  He had engines of war with him, and
+ladders wherewith his men might climb on to the walls and make a
+breach with pikes and mattocks.  And this the pagans did, and for all
+the valour of Huon and Geoffrey and the prisoners the castle was very
+like to be taken.
+
+Gerames said to Huon, "Now, sir, it is time for you to blow your
+horn, for unless there come to us some help we shall scarce see
+another day."  Huon answered, "I would willingly do so, but my horn I
+have not, for I left it with the Provost."
+
+Meanwhile the Provost had come to the Duke, and said to him, "Sir,
+this is but ill counsel that you are pulling down your own castle.
+Make peace with your nephew on this condition, that he and his
+company straightway depart from out of your city.  Let me go,
+therefore, and persuade him."  "You shall go," answered the Duke.
+
+So the Provost, coming to the castle gate, said that he greatly
+desired to see Huon, who coming, desired to know who he was.  When he
+heard that he was the Provost, he said to him, "Now if you would
+serve me, give me the horn which I left in your keeping."  "That is
+easily done," answered the Provost, and he drew it from his bosom and
+gave it to Huon.
+
+Gerames, though he had counselled the blowing of the horn, when he
+saw Huon now ready to do so, repented, for he mistrusted King Oberon,
+and would gladly have done without his help.  He said, therefore, to
+Huon, "Sir, I doubt whether you are even now in such a strait that
+you should blow the horn.  Haply King Oberon would not desire that it
+should be done."
+
+"What mean you?" answered Huon.  "Shall I tarry till I am slain
+before I ask for help?" and putting the horn to his lips he blew it
+with all his might.
+
+King Oberon heard the blast of the horn where he sat in his city of
+Mommure, and he said to himself, "Doubtless my friend has need of me;
+I wish that I were with him and ten thousand men with me."  No sooner
+had he wished it than he and the ten thousand men were in the city of
+Tormont.  A great slaughter did they make of the pagans, but they
+that were willing to be christened King Oberon saved alive.  As for
+the Duke, he was slain without mercy, for he was an evil man, and had
+sinned against knowledge, and they hanged his body on a gibbet that
+was set upon the wall, that his end might serve as an example for
+others.
+
+After these things Oberon took leave of Huon.  At the same time he
+said, "I foresee that you will run into many dangers by your
+rashness.  I counsel you, therefore, that you undertake no adventures
+but such as are necessary."  To these words Huon answered, that when
+he departed from France, he had resolved that he would refuse no
+adventure, how perilous soever it might be.  "That is foolishness,"
+said Oberon; "and mark this: if you blow the horn when you are on any
+of such adventures, I will not heed it, no, not though you should
+even break the horn in the blowing of it."  "Sir," said Huon, when he
+heard these words, "you will do your pleasure, as I will do mine
+own."  But Oberon answered nothing.  So these two parted in anger.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX
+
+HOW HUON, HAVING SLAIN A GIANT, CAME TO BABYLON
+
+After these things it was told Huon that there was a certain tower
+not far from the city of Tormont, a very marvellous place where there
+dwelt a giant, Angolafer by name.  The gate of this tower, for so the
+story ran, was kept by two men of brass, each of whom held in his
+hand an iron flail.  These two beat with their flails without ceasing
+for one single moment, the one striking while the other ceased; and
+this they did so quickly that not even a swallow could fly between
+them without taking harm.  But if a man could by any means pass into
+the tower, and overcome the giant, then he would find treasures
+without end.
+
+When Huon heard of these things, he thought in himself, "This is an
+adventure after my own heart."  So he made his way to the tower.
+When he saw the men of brass striking with their flails, he wondered
+much how he might win by them.  After a while he spied a bason of
+gold, tied with a chain to a marble pillar; on this he struck three
+great strokes with his sword, for he said to himself, "If I may come
+to speech with some human creature 'twere better than dealing with
+these men of brass."  And so it fell out.  There was a certain damsel
+in the tower, Sybil by name, whom the giant kept prisoner, and she,
+hearing the sound, ran to a window and looked out.  When she saw
+Huon, she said, "Who is this?  He is a fair knight.  I judge him to
+be of France, for I see on his shoulder three crosses, gules; 'twere
+a pity that he should come to harm; yet what could fifty knights do
+against this giant?  Yet if he is come for some good end, I would
+fain help him."
+
+Now there was a handle which, being turned, stayed the beating of the
+flails.  The Lady Sybil thought within herself, "Dare I do this
+thing?  Yet it were better to die than to remain in this bondage."
+Also she heard the breathing of the giant, as of one in deep sleep.
+Thereupon she turned the handle, and Huon entered the palace.  But
+when he passed from the gates to the hall, and from the hall to a
+chamber, and from this to other chambers, and saw no one, only dead
+men lying here and there, he was not a little astonished.
+
+After he had so wandered awhile, he heard the voice of a damsel that
+wept, which sound he followed till he came to the place where she
+sat.  "Why weep you?" he said.  "I weep," she answered, "because you
+are in great peril.  Know that I am a Christian woman, though I have
+not talked with a Christian these seven years.  My father, making
+pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre, was shipwrecked in this place.
+Him, with all his train, the giant slew, but me he kept alive."
+"Tell me, lady," said Huon, "who you are?"  "I am daughter," she
+answered, "to Guynemer, that was Earl of St. Omer, and married to a
+sister of Duke Sevyn of Bordeaux."  "Then," said he, "you are my
+kinswoman, for I am the elder son of the same Duke Sevyn;" and he
+greeted her full courteously.  "And now I am on the way to the
+Admiral of Babylon, having been sent on an errand by Charlemagne.
+But tell me of this giant."  "Nay," said she, "you would do well to
+depart while he sleeps."  But Huon would have none of this counsel.
+"I should take to myself shame," said he, "if I should fear this
+villain."  "If you are so minded," answered Sybil, "you will find him
+in the fourth chamber from this."  When Huon was come to the fourth
+chamber, he saw the giant, a most monstrous creature to behold,
+asleep on a bed, and cried aloud, "Rise up, thou heathen dog, or I
+will strike off thy head!"  The giant answered, "Not a hundred such
+as you would prevail over me were I armed; even now I fear you not."
+"Gird on your armour," said Huon, "I would not fight with a naked
+man."  "That is bravely and courteously said," quoth the giant.
+"Tell me your name and country."  Huon answered, "I am a poor knight
+of France, whom Charlemagne has sent on an errand to the Admiral of
+Babylon."  "From that same Admiral," said the giant, "I have taken
+not one town only, but many.  This tower I took from Oberon, who is a
+great Prince in these parts, and with it a suit of armour which no
+one may wear save he be without guilt.  Now, for your courtesy, you
+shall try it, if you will."
+
+Then Huon took the armour, and put it on him, and lo! he bare it
+easily.  "I see," said the giant, "that you are a worthy knight; now
+that you have proved the armour, deliver it to me again."  "That will
+not I," answered Huon, "not for twelve of the fairest cities that are
+between this place and Paris."  "Friend," said the giant again, "if
+you will but deliver to me the armour, I will let you depart hence
+without harm; also I will give you a ring of gold which I had of this
+same Admiral of Babylon.  Whoso has this ring can pass where he will."
+
+"I owe you no thanks for the gift," said Huon, "for the ring I can
+take at my pleasure, when you shall have been slain."  Thereat the
+giant, in great wrath, made at him with a falchion that he carried in
+his hand, but missing his stroke, he smote a pillar that stood hard
+by so sharply that the steel fixed itself in the stone.  When Huon
+saw what had befallen, he smote the giant and struck off both his
+hands.  The giant turned to flee, but the Lady Sybil, for she had
+come desiring to save the Christian knight, threw a staff between his
+legs so that he fell headlong to the earth: when Huon saw him lie
+thus, he smote off his head with one stroke of his sword.
+
+This done, Huon looked forth from a window of the tower, and cried to
+his comrades, where they stood in no little fear, "Come up hither, I
+have slain the giant."  Then the Lady Sybil turned the handle as
+before, so that the flails were stayed and they entered the tower.
+The day being now far spent, they sat down to supper, and made good
+cheer.
+
+On the morrow, Huon said to his companions, "Tarry you here in the
+tower with the Lady Sybil, for I will go to Babylon alone.  If I come
+not again in fifteen days, then take ship, and depart to the land of
+France."  But Gerames said, "Not so, my lord; we will tarry for you
+the space of a whole year."  And to this they all agreed.
+
+Huon, therefore, journeyed to Babylon.  When he came near to the
+city, he perceived that the woods were crowded with wayfarers, some
+that went a-hawking and some that came back from their sport, and
+merchants, and travellers, with horses and carriages.  He marvelled
+to see them, for they were strange of aspect to him; and they also
+marvelled at him, for the fashion of his armour was not the fashion
+of their country.  So much was he occupied with the sight, that the
+giant's ring passed wholly from his mind, from which forgetting there
+came to him, as will be seen, much trouble.
+
+When he came to the Admiral's palace, he cried to the porter that he
+should open the gate.  The porter would know whether he was a
+Saracen.  "That am I," answered Huon, thinking that otherwise he
+would not be suffered to enter.  So the porter opened to him.  Then
+Huon straightway remembered the ring, and said to himself, "I have
+sinned in lying to this fellow, and this to no purpose, having the
+ring."
+
+After this he came to a second gate, and a porter thereat, who opened
+to him at the sight of the ring; and after the second, a third, and
+after the third, a fourth, which he passed in the same way.
+
+Being now in the very middle of the palace, he bethought him, "There
+are doubtless many Saracens in this place, and I only a Christian.
+'Tis time to blow the horn and I may have help from King Oberon."
+Thereupon he blew a great blast.
+
+King Oberon heard the blast where he sat in his palace.  But he said
+to himself, "There has been a lie upon the lips that blew this horn,
+for the note is false.  Though he burst his throat with blowing, I
+will not go to help him."
+
+When the Admiral heard it, he said to his lords that sat with him,
+"There is a magician in the palace.  Go bring him to me before he do
+us any mischief."
+
+Huon was not a little troubled when he found that no one came to his
+blowing of the horn.  "I am in an evil case," he said, "nor shall I
+see my people or my country any more.  Nevertheless it becomes a man
+to keep a good courage."  And when the Admiral's lords came to him,
+he took no heed of them, but walked straight forward, and they feared
+to lay hands on him.
+
+When he came to where the Admiral sat, he made no obeisance, but drew
+his sword, and said, "I come from the great King Charles."  Before he
+could say more, the Admiral cried aloud, "Seize me this villain!"
+And the lords made as if they would seize him.  Then Huon took the
+ring from his finger, and showed it to the Admiral, saying not a word.
+
+When the Admiral saw the ring, he said, "Leave this man alone; he is
+here of right."  Then Huon said, "I am a Christian man, and I come
+from the great King of the Christians.  Hear, therefore, the message
+that he sends: 'Turn from your false gods; confess the faith of
+Christ; acknowledge that you hold your kingdom of me; and send me for
+token your royal sceptre.  If you will not I will come with an army,
+and utterly destroy both you and your people.'  This is the King's
+message, and I counsel you to take heed thereto."
+
+When the Admiral heard these words, his anger passed all bounds.
+"Know," he cried, "that before you fifteen messengers have come to me
+making this same demand, and these fifteen have been hanged by the
+neck in the very same place; and you shall be the sixteenth."  And he
+said to his men, "Seize me this fellow."  Then Huon, setting his back
+to the wall, and drawing his sword, fought with all his might.  Many
+he slew; but when he had fought for an hour or more, and the number
+of the enemy was increased rather than diminished, and he had grown
+faint with heat and toil, then he was constrained to yield.  So the
+Saracens bound him, and set him before the Admiral.
+
+The Admiral said to his lords, "What shall we do with this fellow?"
+and the lords answered with one voice, "Let him be slain forthwith."
+Nevertheless there was one lord, an old man, and held in great repute
+for his wisdom, who did not consent to this counsel.  "Sir," said he
+to the Admiral, "our law forbids that any man should be put to death
+this day.  I advise, therefore, that he be kept in custody for a
+year; after that we will take counsel about him again.  Also there is
+another matter that I fain would know.  How came this man hither?
+Ask him, my lord."
+
+So the Admiral said, "Fellow, declare to me by what means you passed
+the gates."  Then Huon said to himself, "I will speak no more
+falsehoods, though I perish for it."  And he held up the ring,
+saying, "I passed the gates by virtue of this ring."  And he told how
+he came by the ring, and how he had slain the giant in the tower.
+
+When the old councillor heard these things, he said to the Admiral,
+"Sir, we ought to thank this man rather than harm him, seeing that he
+has slain the giant that was wont to do us so much mischief."  The
+Admiral answered, "I know not how to thank the man who brought me a
+message so insolent.  But as to the keeping of him alive, it shall be
+done as you say.  I will not depart from the customs of my
+forefathers.  Let him be kept in prison for a space."  So the
+Admiral's yeomen took Huon, and cast him into a dungeon that was
+under the palace.
+
+Now it so chanced that when Huon was brought before the Admiral, the
+Admiral's fair daughter, Esclairmonde by name, was standing behind a
+curtain, where she could hear all the words that were said and could
+also see what was done, being herself unseen.  This maiden, beholding
+Huon, and seeing how fair a knight he was, and how boldly he bare
+himself both in the fight and when he was brought before her father,
+conceived for him in her heart no small love.  When, therefore, she
+heard that he was to be slain, she had much ado to refrain herself
+from crying out.  But when she knew that he was to be put in prison
+for a space, she thought within herself how she might help him.
+
+When it was now midnight, and every one in the palace slept, she
+issued from her chamber, carrying a torch of wax in her hand.  When
+she came to the door of the dungeon, by good luck she found the
+jailor asleep, and taking his keys, opened the door of the dungeon.
+
+She said to Huon, "Fair sir, I am Esclairmonde, and am daughter to
+the Admiral, and I saw you when you were brought before my father,
+and also when you fought against his men, and knew you to be a fair
+knight and a gallant.  Now, therefore, I desire greatly to help you;
+nor is there anything which I would not do for your sake," speaking
+more boldly because the dungeon was a darksome place, and neither
+could she see the knight's face nor could the knight see hers.
+
+When Huon heard the maiden thus speak, he said to himself, "Now must
+I be true as becomes a Christian man.  I must tell this maiden that
+I, being a Christian man, may not have friendship with a Saracen; but
+of love I will not speak, lest it should shame her."  So he said,
+"Fair lady, for fair you must be, seeing that you are so gracious, I
+thank you much for your kindness, nor will I refuse such service as
+you may find it in your heart to render me.  Only you must know that
+I, being a Christian man, can have no friendship with a Saracen."
+
+The Lady Esclairmonde, hearing him thus speak, was filled with anger
+against him.  "If you will not have me for a friend," she said,
+"verily you shall have me for an enemy, and will find that you have
+chosen the worst part."  Then she went out from the dungeon, and said
+to the jailor, "See that this fellow have neither meat nor drink for
+three days."  And the jailor said, "Lady, it shall be done as you
+command."
+
+Before the three days were passed, Esclairmonde repented in her heart
+that she had done this thing.  She went, therefore, to the jailor,
+and said to him, "Open the door, for I would speak with this
+prisoner."  And when he had opened the door, she said to Huon, "Sir
+Knight, I do greatly admire your constancy, in that you hold out
+against hunger and thirst, which to many, I doubt not, are harder to
+be borne than any perils or hurts of battle.  Hear me, therefore: I
+do promise that if I can escape from this land, I will be christened
+as soon as I come to any land where this may be done."  Huon answered
+her, "You make me right glad, fair lady; I do thank you with all my
+heart."
+
+Esclairmonde said to the jailor, "Now set before the prisoner meat
+and drink, and take such care of him as you best can.  Only tell the
+Admiral that the man is dead of hunger."  The jailor answered, "It
+shall be done as you desire."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XL
+
+HOW HUON RETURNED, HIS ERRAND FULFILLED
+
+When Gerames and the Lady Sybil had tarried for three months in the
+tower, and had heard no tidings of Huon, they were greatly troubled
+and doubted what they should do.  And while they doubted, it chanced
+that certain pagans came in a ship bringing tribute to the giant.
+When Gerames perceived them, he said to his company, "We do ill to
+tarry here, when Huon, it may be, needs our help.  Let us take this
+ship, therefore, and sail over the sea till we come to Babylon."  So
+they took the ship, the pagans not being able to hinder them.
+
+When they were come to Babylon, Gerames led his company to the
+Admiral's palace, and went in and saluted him where he sat with his
+lords, saying, "Now may Mahomet, of whose gift both corn and wine
+come to the sons of men, preserve the Admiral Gaudys!"  "Friend,"
+said the Admiral, "you are welcome to this place.  Tell me your name
+and country."  "I come," answered Gerames, "from the city of
+Mombraunt, and I am son to King Ivoryn."  Now Ivoryn was brother to
+the Admiral.  The Admiral rose up from his place and said, "Then are
+you doubly welcome.  Pray tell me how fares my brother, King Ivoryn?"
+"He is in good health," answered Gerames.  "And who are these that
+are with you?" said the Admiral.  "These," said Gerames, "are
+Frenchmen, whom the King took when they were sailing on the sea.  He
+sends them to you for your sport, that on the feast of St. John
+Baptist you may set them bound to stakes in the meadow, and let the
+archers shoot at them, trying who shall shoot the best.  This damsel
+whom I have with me shall, if it please you, be put with your
+daughter that she may learn the French tongue more perfectly."  "All
+this," answered the Admiral, "shall be done as you desire.  Now, for
+the present, put these caitiffs in prison, and see that they have
+enough of meat and drink that they die not of famine, as there lately
+died in this place one Huon of Bordeaux.  A fair knight he was,
+albeit he was a Christian."
+
+When Gerames heard these words he was greatly troubled.  Such was his
+anger that he had much ado to keep himself from running at the
+Admiral to slay him; but with a staff that he had, he smote the false
+prisoners that he had so hardly that the blood ran down.  And they,
+for fear of the Admiral, durst not stir; nevertheless they cursed
+Gerames in their hearts.  Said the Admiral, "Fair nephew, it seems to
+me that you have but little love for Christian men."  "Even so, sir,"
+answered Gerames; "three times a day do I beat them in honour of my
+God Mahomet."  Then he led the Frenchmen to prison, beating them as
+he went, but none of them durst say one word.
+
+As they went, they met the Lady Esclairmonde, who said, "Cousin, I am
+right glad of your coming, and now let me tell you of a private
+matter, if you will promise to keep it secret."  "That will I do
+right willingly," answered Gerames.  "Listen, then," said the damsel.
+"There came to this place some five months since a French knight,
+bringing a message from King Charlemagne.  Him, my father, taking the
+message that he brought very ill, put in prison.  I persuaded my
+father, for a reason that I had, that this Huon is dead of hunger,
+but in truth he is alive, and, indeed, is as well served with meat
+and drink as is my father himself."
+
+Gerames made no answer, doubting what might be in the damsel's heart,
+and fearing that it might be a device for discovering the truth
+concerning himself.  He spake no word, therefore, but thrust the
+Frenchmen roughly into the prison.
+
+Now the prison was so dark that Huon could not by any means discover
+who they might be that had thus been brought into his company.  But
+in a short space he heard one of them lamenting his hard fate, and
+praying to the Lord Christ that He would succour them, "For," said
+he, "Thou knowest that we have done no wrong that we should be cast
+into this place, having come hither for the sake of our young lord
+Huon."  When Huon heard this, he knew that they were Frenchmen, and
+said, "Tell me now, fair sir, what has befallen you."  So the lord
+told him his story.  And Huon, when he had heard it, said, "I am
+Huon, safe, and in good health, thanks to the fair Esclairmonde, who
+is, indeed, a Christian damsel at the heart."  Then the Frenchmen
+began to complain right bitterly concerning Gerames, saying that he
+was the worst and cruellest traitor on earth.  "Nay," said Huon, "be
+content, Gerames has done all this to deliver us, as you will soon
+know for a certainty."  And so it happened, for Gerames, having had
+more talk with the fair Esclairmonde, and having heard that she was
+well disposed in her heart to Huon and his companions, came that
+night to the dungeon, and declared the truth.  "Only," said he, "we
+must wait awhile till there shall be a fitting opportunity."
+
+After seven days there came to the palace a great giant, Agrapart by
+name, brother to Angolafer, whom Huon had slain.  The purpose of his
+coming was to demand from the Admiral the tribute that had been paid
+by custom to his brother.  Now the Admiral was sitting at dinner when
+he came, and the giant came to the table, and said, "You are a false
+traitor, for you harbour a villain that by some foul means slew my
+brother Angolafer."  And when he had so spoken, he reached out his
+hand, and dragged the Admiral from his seat so rudely that the crown
+upon his head fell to the ground.  This, done, he himself sat down in
+the Admiral's chair, and said, "My will is that you pay me the
+tribute that you were wont to pay my brother, for that which was his
+has by right come to me.  Yet I offer you this grace, you shall
+choose you two men who may fight a joust with me.  If they can
+overcome me, then shall you and your land be free of your tax; but if
+I overcome them, then shall you pay the double."
+
+When the Admiral heard these words, he said to his knights, "Now is
+the time that you may requite all the kindness that I have done you,
+and all the gifts which I have given you.  And if gratitude be
+lacking, then I will say this also; if any man will come forth to
+fight in single combat with this giant, to him will I give my
+daughter Esclairmonde in marriage, and after my death he shall have
+all my lands for his inheritance."
+
+For all this no man came forth, for the Saracens were sorely afraid
+of the giant.  Then said Esclairmonde to her father, "Sir, it was
+told you that the French knight, Huon by name, whom you cast into
+prison, was dead of hunger.  This is not so in truth.  Huon yet
+lives, and I promise you that he will fight with this giant."
+
+So the Admiral sent to the dungeon for Huon and his company.  And
+when Huon was set before him, it could be seen that he was in good
+case, though somewhat pale because of being shut up.  "You have found
+a good prison," said the Admiral.  "Yea," answered Huon, "and I thank
+your daughter therefor.  But tell me now why you have sent for me."
+Said the Admiral, "See you that giant?  He has challenged any man,
+yea, any two men, and I can find none that are willing to fight with
+him.  Now, therefore, if you will fight with him and overcome him,
+then you and all your company shall return to King Charlemagne.  Also
+I will give into your hands a present for the King; I will engage
+also to send him year by year a like present for head money; also I
+will bind myself to serve him with such a host as he may require.
+Verily I would sooner be his bond-slave than pay tribute to this evil
+giant.  But if you rather choose to abide with me, then will I give
+you my daughter Esclairmonde in marriage, and with her the half of my
+kingdom."
+
+"Sir," said Huon, "willingly will I fight with this giant.  But first
+you must give me back my horn and my cup that were taken from me."
+"It shall be done," said the Admiral, and he commanded that they
+should give the horn and the cup to Huon.  These Huon delivered to
+Gerames to keep for him.  After this he armed himself for battle.
+And when the Admiral saw him duly equipped for the fight, he said,
+"This is as goodly a knight as ever I beheld."
+
+When the giant and Huon came together in the field, the giant asked
+this question, "What is your kinship to the Admiral that you are
+willing to fight for him?" Huon answered him, "I am not of kin to
+him, I am a Frenchman born, and I slew your brother."  "That is ill
+hearing," said the giant; "nevertheless I am thankful to Mahomet that
+he gives me occasion to revenge my brother's death; yet, for I see
+that you are a brave man, if you will worship Mahomet, I will give
+you my sister in marriage--and she is a foot higher than I and black
+as a coal--and the half of my lands."  Huon answered, "I will have
+none of your lands or your sister.  It is time to fight."
+
+Then the two, setting their spears in rest, charged at each other,
+and this so fiercely that their spears were broken in pieces and
+their horses borne to the ground.  But the two leapt lightly to their
+feet, and next the giant would have stricken Huon with a great blow,
+but Huon leapt lightly to one side so that the giant missed his
+stroke.  But Huon in his turn smote the giant in the helm, and cut
+off his ear.  Then the giant was sore afraid and cried to Huon, "I
+yield me to you; I pray you to do me no hurt."
+
+The Admiral was greatly pleased with the victory, and Esclairmonde
+had even greater joy.  When Gerames saw what had befallen, he said to
+the Admiral, "Know that I am no Saracen, no, nor nephew of yours, but
+I came to look for my lord, Huon of Bordeaux."  The Admiral, when he
+heard this, said, "Of a truth it is hard to be aware of the craft and
+subtlety of these Frenchmen."
+
+Meanwhile Huon came and delivered up the giant to the Admiral.  The
+giant knelt down, and said, "I did think myself the most mighty man
+upon the whole face of the earth, and that not ten men could prevail
+over me, but now am I overcome by one only.  Therefore I submit
+myself to you and crave your pardon."  "My pardon you shall have,"
+answered the Admiral, "if you will promise not to trespass against me
+hereafter, and will swear to be my man so long as you shall live."
+"I promise," and kneeling down in the sight of all, he swore he would
+be the Admiral's man.
+
+These things finished, the Admiral and his chief lords, with the
+Frenchmen, sat down to dinner.  At dinner Huon took the cup that
+Oberon had given him, and showed it to the Admiral saying, "See now
+what happens when I make this sign."  And when he had made the sign
+of the cross, lo! the cup was filled with wine.  Then he gave the cup
+into the Admiral's hand, and straightway the wine vanished away.  The
+Admiral greatly marvelled at the sight, and said, "You have enchanted
+me."  "Nay, sir," answered Huon, "this is no enchantment.  This thing
+is a sign that you are full of sin.  And now I beseech you to forsake
+your false gods and to be christened.  Verily if you will not do this
+thing, I will overrun your palace and your whole city with armed
+men."  "Now listen," cried the Admiral, "to this over-bold Frenchman!
+He hath lain in my prison for the half of a year, and now, forsooth,
+he will overrun my city with armed men.  I marvel much where he will
+find them!"  "Nevertheless," said Huon, "you had better do this
+thing."  "I would not do it," answered the Admiral, "if Charlemagne
+and all his host were here."
+
+Then Huon blew the horn.  And Oberon heard it where he sat in his
+palace, and said, "Hark! there is the horn once more, and methinks it
+sounds true."  And he wished, "I would be in Babylon with one hundred
+thousand armed men."  And straightway it happened as he wished.  So
+Oberon and Huon overran the city of Babylon.  All that would not be
+baptized they slew, and among them the Admiral, who was stout in
+refusing to leave his false gods, and all that consented to be
+baptized he saved alive.  And Huon took to himself the Admiral's
+sceptre, and then Oberon wished again, and straightway he and Huon
+and all his company and the fair Esclairmonde were on the shore of
+the sea.  And he caused that a goodly ship should be ready to take
+them to their own land.  So Huon embarked with the fair Esclairmonde
+and all his people; also they took with them the chief treasures of
+the city of Babylon.
+
+Then Oberon bade farewell to Huon, saying, "See now that you tell the
+truth and keep you from sin; so shall you prosper all your days, and
+come to bliss when your days are ended.  And now render me again the
+cup and the horn, for you need them no more."
+
+Then Huon and his company and the fair Esclairmonde departed in the
+ship, and in time came to the land of France.  There did Huon render
+to Charlemagne the Admiral's sceptre; and the King received him into
+his royal favour, and gave him back his lands.  Then was Huon wedded
+to the fair Esclairmonde, and these two lived together in great
+happiness to their lives' end.
+
+
+Not long after that Huon had been restored to his Duchy of Bordeaux,
+the Emperor Charlemagne died, having been seized by a fever, which,
+as being now old and worn out by many labours both in war and peace,
+he was unable to resist.  There had been, it is said, many signs of
+his death--eclipses of the sun and moon, and other marvellous things.
+Also, when he was making his last expedition against the Danes, he
+saw a great light, as it were a blazing torch, pass through a clear
+sky and fall to the ground; and the horse on which he was riding fell
+to the ground with great violence.  Also the palace in which he dwelt
+at Aachen was shaken by earthquakes, and in the Church which he
+himself had founded there happened this portent, that the word
+PRINCEPS, in the inscription which recorded this his munificence, so
+faded away that it could no longer be read.  So Charlemagne died on
+the 28th of January in the year of Our Salvation, 814.  He was buried
+in a sepulchral chamber in this same Church of Aachen.  Many years
+after, the chamber having been opened, the body of the Emperor was
+found seated on a throne as if he yet lived, clothed with imperial
+robes, bearing on his head the crown, and grasping the sceptre in his
+hand, while by his side lay his sword Joyous, and on his knees was a
+book of the Gospels.
+
+In life he was of a tall and strong person, being seven feet in
+height.  His eyes were large and piercing, his hair and beard long.
+He was of pleasant speech, and could speak other tongues besides his
+own.  Writing he strove to acquire in his mature years, but could not
+learn the art.  He was in truth a very noble and mighty prince.
+
+
+
+UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED, PRINTERS, WOKING AND LONDON.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75339 ***