Foremost in the bands of France,
Arm'd with hauberk and with lance,
And helmet glittering in the air,
As if a warrior knight he were,
Rush'd forth the MINSTREL TAILLEFER
Borne on his courser swift and strong,
He gaily bounded o'er the plain,
And raised the heart-inspiring song
(Loud echoed by the warlike throng)
Of _Roland_ and of _Charlemagne_,
Of _Oliver_, brave peer of old,
Untaught to fly, unknown to yield,
And many a Knight and Vassal bold,
Whose hallowed blood, in crimson flood,
Dyed _Roncevalle's_ field.
[150] M. Denon told me, in one of my visits to him at Paris, that by the
commands of Bonaparte, he was charged with the custody of this
Tapestry for three months; that it was displayed in due form and
ceremony in the Museum; and that after having taken a hasty sketch of
it, (which he admitted could not be considered as very faithful) he
returned it to Bayeux--as it was considered to be the peculiar
property of that place.
[151] See p. 109 ante.