I was in th' host, beside our Emperour, Service I did him there in faith and truth.
Hatred of me had Rollant, his nephew;
So he decreed death for me and dolour.
Message I bare to king Marsiliun;
By my cunning I held myself secure.
To that fighter Rollant my challenge threw, To Oliver, and all their comrades too;Charles heard that, and his noble baruns.
Vengeance I gat, but there's no treason proved."Answered the Franks: "Now go we to the moot.
CCLXXIV
When Guenes sees, his great cause is beginning, Thirty he has around him of his kinsmen, There's one of them to whom the others listen, 'Tis Pinabel, who in Sorence castle liveth;Well can he speak, soundly his reasons giving, A good vassal, whose arm to fight is stiffened.
Says to him Guenes: "In you my faith is fixed.
Save me this day from death, also from prison."Says Pinabel: "Straightway you'll be delivered.
Is there one Frank, that you to hang committeth?
Let the Emperour but once together bring us, With my steel brand he shall be smartly chidden."Guenes the count kneels at his feet to kiss them.
CCLXXV
To th' counsel go those of Bavier and Saxe, Normans also, with Poitevins and Franks;Enough there are of Tudese and Germans.
Those of Alverne the greatest court'sy have, From Pinabel most quietly draw back.
Says each to each: "'Twere well to let it stand.
Leave we this cause, and of the King demand That he cry quits with Guenes for this act;With love and faith he'll serve him after that.
Since he is dead, no more ye'll see Rollanz, Nor any wealth nor gold may win him back.
Most foolish then is he, would do combat."There is but one agrees not to their plan;Tierri, brother to Don Geifreit, 's that man.
AOI.
CCLXXVI
Then his barons, returning to Carlun, Say to their King: "Sire, we beseech of you That you cry quits with county Guenelun, So he may serve you still in love and truth;Nay let him live, so noble a man 's he proved.
Rollant is dead, no longer in our view, Nor for no wealth may we his life renew."Then says the King: "You're felons all of you!"AOI.
CCLXXVII
When Charles saw that all of them did fail, Deep down he bowed his head and all his face For th' grief he had, caitiff himself proclaimed.
One of his knights, Tierris, before him came, Gefrei's brother, that Duke of Anjou famed;Lean were his limbs, and lengthy and delicate, Black was his hair and somewhat brown his face;Was not too small, and yet was hardly great;And courteously to the Emperour he spake:
"Fair' Lord and King, do not yourself dismay!
You know that I have served you many ways:
By my ancestors should I this cause maintain.
And if Rollant was forfeited to Guenes Still your service to him full warrant gave.
Felon is Guene, since th' hour that he betrayed, And, towards you, is perjured and ashamed:
Wherefore I judge that he be hanged and slain, His carcass flung to th' dogs beside the way, As a felon who felony did make.
But, has he a friend that would dispute my claim With this my sword which I have girt in place My judgement will I warrant every way."Answer the Franks: "Now very well you spake."
CCLXXVIII
Before the King is come now Pinabel;
Great is he, strong, vassalous and nimble;Who bears his blow has no more time to dwell:
Says to him: "Sire, on you this cause depends;Command therefore this noise be made an end.
See Tierri here, who hath his judgment dealt;I cry him false, and will the cause contest."His deer-hide glove in the King's hand he's left.
Says the Emperour: "Good pledges must I get."Thirty kinsmen offer their loyal pledge.
"I'll do the same for you," the King has said;Until the right be shewn, bids guard them well.
AOI.
CCLXXIX
When Tierri sees that battle shall come after, His right hand glove he offereth to Chares.
That Emperour by way of hostage guards it;Four benches then upon the place he marshals Where sit them down champions of either party.
They're chos'n aright, as the others' judgement cast them;Oger the Dane between them made the parley.
Next they demand their horses and their armour.
AOI.
CCLXXX
For battle, now, ready you might them see, They're well confessed, absolved, from sin set free;Masses they've heard, Communion received, Rich offerings to those minsters they leave.
Before Carlun now both the two appear:
They have their spurs, are fastened on their feet, And, light and strong, their hauberks brightly gleam;Upon their heads they've laced their helmets clear, And girt on swords, with pure gold hilted each;And from their necks hang down their quartered shields;In their right hands they grasp their trenchant spears.
At last they mount on their swift coursing steeds.
Five score thousand chevaliers therefor weep, For Rollant's sake pity for Tierri feel.
God knows full well which way the end shall be.
CCLXXXI
Down under Aix there is a pasture large Which for the fight of th' two barons is marked.
Proof men are these, and of great vassalage, And their horses, unwearied, gallop fast;They spur them well, the reins aside they cast, With virtue great, to strike each other, dart;All of their shields shatter and rend apart.
Their hauberks tear; the girths asunder start, The saddles slip, and fall upon the grass.
Five score thousand weep, who that sight regard.
AOI.
CCLXXXII
Upon the ground are fallen both the knights;Nimbly enough upon their feet they rise.
