Fairly two Franks have got the victory;
That Emperour was one, as I have seen;
Great limbs he has, he's every way Marquis, White is his beard as flowers in April."That admiral has bent his head down deep, And thereafter lowers his face and weeps, Fain would he die at once, so great his grief;He calls to him Jangleu from over sea.
AOI.
CCLIV
Says the admiral, "Jangleu, beside me stand!
For you are proof, and greatly understand, Counsel from you I've ever sought to have.
How seems it you, of Arrabits and Franks, Shall we from hence victorious go back?"He answers him: "Slain are you, Baligant!
For from your gods you'll never have warrant.
So proud is Charles, his men so valiant, Never saw I a race so combatant.
But call upon barons of Occiant, Turks and Enfruns, Arrabits and Giants.
No more delay: what must be, take in hand."
CCLV
That admiral has shaken out his beard That ev'n so white as thorn in blossom seems;He'll no way hide, whateer his fate may be, Then to his mouth he sets a trumpet clear, And clearly sounds, so all the pagans hear.
Throughout the field rally his companies.
From Occiant, those men who bray and bleat, And from Argoille, who, like dogs barking, speak;Seek out the Franks with such a high folly, Break through their line, the thickest press they meet Dead from that shock they've seven thousand heaped.
CCLVI
The count Oger no cowardice e'er knew, Better vassal hath not his sark indued.
He sees the Franks, their columns broken through, So calls to him Duke Tierris, of Argune, Count Jozeran, and Gefreid, of Anjou;And to Carlun most proud his reason proves:
"Behold pagans, and how your men they slew!
Now from your head please God the crown remove Unless you strike, and vengeance on them do!"And not one word to answer him he knew;
They spurred in haste, their horses let run loose, And, wheresoeer they met the pagans, strook.
AOI.
CCLVII
Now very well strikes the King Charlemagne, Naimes the Duke, also Oger the Dane, Geifreid d'Anjou, who that ensign displays.
Exceeding proof is Don Oger, the Dane;
He spurs his horse, and lets him run in haste, So strikes that man who the dragon displays.
Both in the field before his feet he breaks That king's ensign and dragon, both abased.
Baligant sees his gonfalon disgraced, And Mahumet's standard thrown from its place;That admiral at once perceives it plain, That he is wrong, and right is Charlemain.
Pagan Arabs coyly themselves contain;
That Emperour calls on his Franks again:
"Say, barons, come, support me, in God's Name!"Answer the Franks, "Question you make in vain;All felon he that dares not exploits brave!"AOI.
CCLVIII
Passes that day, turns into vesper-tide.
Franks and pagans still with their swords do strike.
Brave vassals they, who brought those hosts to fight, Never have they forgotten their ensigns;That admiral still "Preciuse" doth cry, Charles "Monjoie," renowned word of pride.
Each the other knows by his clear voice and high;Amid the field they're both come into sight, Then, as they go, great blows on either side They with their spears on their round targes strike;And shatter them, beneath their buckles wide;And all the folds of their hauberks divide;But bodies, no; wound them they never might.
Broken their girths, downwards their saddles slide;Both those Kings fall, themselves aground do find;Nimbly enough upon their feet they rise;
Most vassal-like they draw their swords outright.
From this battle they'll ne'er be turned aside Nor make an end, without that one man die.
AOI.
CCLIX
A great vassal was Charles, of France the Douce;That admiral no fear nor caution knew.
Those swords they had, bare from their sheaths they drew;Many great blows on 's shield each gave and took;The leather pierced, and doubled core of wood;Down fell the nails, the buckles brake in two;Still they struck on, bare in their sarks they stood.
From their bright helms the light shone forth anew.
Finish nor fail that battle never could But one of them must in the wrong be proved.
AOI.
CCLX
Says the admiral: "Nay, Charles, think, I beg, And counsel take that t'wards me thou repent!
Thou'st slain my son, I know that very well;Most wrongfully my land thou challengest;Become my man, a fief from me thou'lt get;Come, serving me, from here to the Orient!"Charle answers him: "That were most vile offence;No peace nor love may I to pagan lend.
Receive the Law that God to us presents, Christianity, and then I'll love thee well;Serve and believe the King Omnipotent!"
Says Baligant: "Evil sermon thou saist."
They go to strikewith th'swords, are on their belts.
AOI.
CCLXI
In the admiral is much great virtue found;He strikes Carlun on his steel helm so brown, Has broken it and rent, above his brow, Through his thick hair the sword goes glancing round, A great palm's breadth and more of flesh cuts out, So that all bare the bone is, in that wound.
Charles tottereth, falls nearly to the ground;God wills not he be slain or overpow'red.
Saint Gabriel once more to him comes down, And questions him "Great King, what doest thou?"
CCLXII
Charles, hearing how that holy Angel spake, Had fear of death no longer, nor dismay;Remembrance and a fresh vigour he's gained.
So the admiral he strikes with France's blade, His helmet breaks, whereon the jewels blaze, Slices his head, to scatter all his brains, And, down unto the white beard, all his face;So he falls dead, recovers not again.
"Monjoie," cries Charles, that all may know the tale.
Upon that word is come to him Duke Naimes, Holds Tencendur, bids mount that King so Great.
Pagans turn back, God wills not they remain.
And Franks have all their wish, be that what may.
CCLXIII
Pagans are fled, ev'n as the Lord God wills;Chase them the Franks, and the Emperour therewith.
Says the King then: "My Lords, avenge your ills, Unto your hearts' content, do what you will!.
For tears, this morn, I saw your eyes did spill."Answer the Franks: "Sir, even so we will."Then such great blows, as each may strike, he gives That few escape, of those remain there still.
CCLXIV
