The Song of Roland Part 23

Alde answered him: "That word to me is strange.

Never, please G.o.d, His Angels and His Saints, When Rollant's dead shall I alive remain!"

Her colour fails, at th' feet of Charlemain, She falls; she's dead. Her soul G.o.d's Mercy awaits!

Barons of France weep therefore and complain.

CCLXIX

Alde the fair is gone now to her rest.

Yet the King thought she was but swooning then, Pity he had, our Emperour, and wept, Took her in's hands, raised her from th'earth again; On her shoulders her head still drooped and leant.

When Charles saw that she was truly dead Four countesses at once he summoned; To a monast'ry of nuns they bare her thence, All night their watch until the dawn they held; Before the altar her tomb was fas.h.i.+oned well; Her memory the King with honour kept.

AOI.

CCLXX

That Emperour is now returned to Aix.

The felon Guene, all in his iron chains Is in that town, before the King's Palace; Those serfs have bound him, fast upon his stake, In deer-hide thongs his hands they've helpless made, With clubs and whips they trounce him well and baste: He has deserved not any better fate; In bitter grief his trial there he awaits.

CCLXXI

Written it is, and in an ancient geste How Charles called from many lands his men, a.s.sembled them at Aix, in his Chapelle.

Holy that day, for some chief feast was held, Saint Silvester's that baron's, many tell.

Thereon began the trial and defence Of Guenelun, who had the treason spelt.

Before himself the Emperour has him led.

AOI.

CCLXXII

"Lords and barons," Charles the King doth speak, "Of Guenelun judge what the right may be!

He was in th'host, even in Spain with me; There of my Franks a thousand score did steal, And my nephew, whom never more you'll see, And Oliver, in 's pride and courtesy, And, wealth to gain, betrayed the dozen peers."

"Felon be I," said Guenes, "aught to conceal!

He did from me much gold and wealth forfeit, Whence to destroy and slay him did I seek; But treason, no; I vow there's not the least."

Answer the Franks: "Take counsel now must we."

CCLXXIII

So Guenelun, before the King there, stood; l.u.s.ty his limbs, his face of gentle hue; Were he loyal, right baron-like he'd looked.

He saw those Franks, and all who'ld judge his doom, And by his side his thirty kinsmen knew.

After, he cried aloud; his voice was full: "For th' Love of G.o.d, listen to me, baruns!

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 n.o.ble 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 va.s.sal, 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 n.o.ble 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 carca.s.s 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, va.s.salous 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.