Ready they make hauberks Sarrazinese, That folded are, the greater part, in three;And they lace on good helms Sarragucese;
Gird on their swords of tried steel Viennese;Fine shields they have, and spears Valentinese, And white, blue, red, their ensigns take the breeze, They've left their mules behind, and their palfreys, Their chargers mount, and canter knee by knee.
Fair shines the sun, the day is bright and clear, Light bums again from all their polished gear.
A thousand horns they sound, more proud to seem;Great is the noise, the Franks its echo hear.
Says Oliver: "Companion, I believe, Sarrazins now in battle must we meet."Answers Rollanz :"God grant us then the fee!
For our King's sake well must we quit us here;Man for his lord should suffer great disease, Most bitter cold endure, and burning heat, His hair and skin should offer up at need.
Now must we each lay on most hardily, So evil songs neer sung of us shall be.
Pagans are wrong: Christians are right indeed.
Evil example will never come of me."
AOI.
