went to the chase in a wood near the sea (p. 2). Being tired of hunting
he sat down under a tree, and, perceiving a ship drawing near unto
the shore, he sent one of his men to hail the vessel and to inquire
for news. The interpreter of the vessel informs the soudan that the
ship, freighted with a rich cargo at Babylon designed as a [p-lv]
present to Laban, had been driven by violent storms to the shore near
Rome, where the ship had been robbed, and many of its people had been
slain by the Romans. He solicits the Soudan to revenge this insult.
Laban promises to make them pay dearly for it (p. 3). He convokes a
war-council, and assembles a hundred thousand men and seven hundred
sail. Himself goes, with Ferumbras his son and Floripas his daughter,
in a dromond richly adorned (p. 4). They disembark in the haven of
Rome, slay all Christians, and burn towns, abbeys, and churches. The
pope of Rome assembles his council (p. 5). Duke Savaris is to meet the
Saracens. With ten thousand men he draws near the Soudan’s pavilion
on the shore (p. 6); they slay ten thousand Saracens. The Romans,
though masters of the field, cautiously retire within the walls of
the city. Lukafer of Baldas, having scoured the country, brings ten
thousand Christian maidens to the Soudan, who orders them to be put
to death (p. 7). Lukafer demands Floripas for his wife, in return for
which he promises her father to bring Charlemagne and his twelve peers
to the foot of his throne. Floripas agrees to accept him when he has
fulfilled his promise. The next morning Lukafer assaults the city,
but the ditches being too deep (p. 8), the Saracens are obliged to
retire. On the following day the assault is renewed, the ditches are,
on Mavon’s advice, filled with faggots. After a sharp conflict, where
there were ten thousand Saracens slain by the stones of the Romans,
the heathens are obliged to withdraw (p. 9). This second repulse makes
the Soudan almost mad with vexation; he chides his gods. But Lukafer
told him that he had learned from a spy that Savaris would, on the
following day, come out again to fight with them. He now intended, when
Savaris was engaged in the battle, to unfold a banner made exactly like
that of the Romans, and to attempt, by this stratagem, to be admitted
within the gates. And so it turned out: the Romans mistaking him for
Savaris returning from his sally, he entered the main tower, and slew
all therein. Savaris, noticing the artifice of the enemy, and seeing
his troop reduced to seventy-two men, turned back, but found the gate
shut (p. 10). Estragot, a black giant of Ethiopia, slays him with his
steel-mace. The Pope having summoned his council, a senator suggested
the necessity of [p-lvi] sending messengers to Charlemagne to ask his
aid. They all assented, and three messengers (p. 11) left the city by a
postern at midnight; they passed the enemy’s camp without being noticed
by any wight. On the next morning Laban attempted a third assault; he
commanded every man to throw pikes and bills over the walls to kill
the Romans, and ordered the ships to go up the water with their boats
bound to the mast, that they might fight in close combat. Near the
tower there stood a bulwark, or “bastile,” which was a strong defence
to the wall. It was thrown down by stones hurled from an engine. Laban,
growing proud from this event, summoned the Romans to surrender.
Instead of an answer a Roman hurled a dart at his breast-plate, but
his hauberk shielded him. The Soudan, more than mad, charged Ferumbras
to destroy them all (p. 12), and enjoined Fortibrance and Mavon to
direct their engines against the walls. The great glutton Estragot,
with his heavy mace, smote on the gates and brake them in pieces. But
as he was entering one of the gates, they let the portcullis fall,
which crushed him to the ground, where he lay crying like a devil of
hell. The Romans rejoiced, but the Saracens grieved. They withdrew to
their tents, leaving behind the corpse of Estragot, whose soul went up
to Mahound (p. 13). The Pope called all his people to St. Peter’s and
proposed to them to attempt a sally with twenty thousand men, to attack
the enemy before day-break within their camp, and to leave ten thousand
for the defence of the city. In the morning the Pope displayed the
banner of Rome, and after a prayer for the preservation of the city,
they marched out. But Ferumbras, going his rounds (p. 14), noticed
their coming, sounded the alarm, and drew up his troops. Then began a
fierce struggle. Ferumbras slew Sir Bryer of Apulia (p. 15) and the
worthy Hubert. Nine thousand heathens were killed and eight thousand
Romans. Lukafer destroyed eighteen Romans; he also slew Gyndard, a
senator of Rome, who had killed ten Saracens. Then came the Pope with
a great escort and his banner before him. Ferumbras, supposing him to
be the sovereign (p. 16), burst open the thick crowd and threw him
down to the ground. But having opened his ventail, he saw his tonsure,
and recognized the Pope. “Fie, priest,” he said, “what doest thou
here in the battle-field? [p-lvii] It would be a shame for me to slay
thee. Go home and think of thy choir-service.” The Pope, being glad
to get off so easily, retired to Rome with five thousand men, fifteen
thousand being killed. Charlemagne, having learned from the messenger
the great disaster which had befallen the Romans, said he would not
desist until he had chased the Soudan and Ferumbras out of Christendom
(p. 17). He gave ten thousand pounds of francs to his nephew, Guy of
Burgundy, and sent him off with orders to advance against the Soudan
by forced marches. Himself would follow as soon as possible. In the
mean time Laban reminded Lukafer of his vaunting promise to bring him
Charlemagne and his twelve peers in return for his daughter Floripas.
Lukafer said he would do all he had promised. With ten thousand men he
attacked the city on one side, the other being assaulted by Ferumbras.
The combat continued as long as daylight lasted. At night they retired
to their tents (p. 18). Then treason was planned by Isres, who by
inheritance possessed the guard of the chief gate of the town. He went
to the Soudan and offered to betray the city on condition that his
life and property should be spared. The Soudan promised it. Ferumbras
with twenty thousand men went with Isres, but on entering the gate he
caused the traitor’s head to be struck off by the portcullis and to be
carried on the point of a spear through the city. “Treason,” cried the
people (p. 19), when Ferumbras advanced into Rome. All the streets were
soon covered with dead men. Ferumbras went to St. Peter’s, seized the
relics, the cross, the crown, and the nails, burned the whole city,
and carried away all the treasures and the gold to Agremore in Spain,
where the Soudan went back to stay. Three months and three days they
spent there in great festivities, making offerings to their gods, and
burning frankincense in their honour. They drank the blood of beasts
and milk, and ate honey, and snakes fried with oil (p. 20). When Sir
Guy, approaching, drew near Rome, he found the whole city in flames. He
grieved much that he had arrived too late, and resolved to wait there
for Charlemagne, and then to tell him how Laban had burnt the city,
and had sent the relics to Agremore, his principal town in Spain. Soon
king Charles advanced to rescue Rome with his twelve peers and three
hundred thousand soldiers (p. 21). Roland [p-lviii] led the vanguard,
Oliver the rear, and the king was with the main body. The provisions
were conveyed by sea. Guy, seeing the army come, went to meet the king,
and told him the mischief done by the Soudan, who, moreover, had made
a vow to seek Charles in France in order to afflict him with grief.
“He will find me near,” said Charles, “and shall pay dearly for it.
Unless he consents to be baptized (p. 22), he shall never see Babylon
again.” They all took ship without delay. Propitious winds drove them
into the river Gase, where they landed, thirty miles from Agremore,
and laid waste the country. Laban, hearing this news, was astonished
at Charles’s presumption (p. 23). He assembled all his barons, and
charged them to bring him alive that glutton that called himself king
of France, and to slay the rest of his army. Ferumbras went forth
with many Saracens. He meets with Roland. They deal each other heavy
strokes. Oliver cuts off a quarter of Lukafer’s shield. The combat
lasted the whole day. Well fought the twelve peers (p. 24). Ferumbras
charges Oliver. King Charles, seeing this, rides at Ferumbras, and
strikes his helm with a heavy mace. Ferumbras cannot approach him on
account of the crowd. Charlemagne slew thirty Saracens with his sword
Mounjoy. Lukafer of Baldas encountering Charles told him that he had
promised the Soudan to bring him Charles and the twelve peers. Charles
strikes him on his helmet (p. 25), but Lukafer is rescued by a great
throng. Roland, drawing Durnedale, cleared a space around him, and
hammered the heads of the Saracens. So did the other peers, and thirty
thousand Saracens were slain. At night the pagans quit the field.
Ferumbras vows never to desist until he has conquered Roland and Oliver
(p. 26) and been crowned king at Paris. Charles went to his pavilion
and thanked God and St. Mary of France. He praised the elder knights
for having won the victory, and exhorted the young ones to take example
by them. They all make merry and go to supper. The Saracens address
a prayer to the red Mars Armipotent (p. 27), to grant the Mahometans
the victory over the Christians (p. 28). In order to recruit the late
losses in his army, the Soudan sent for his vassals, and assembled more
than three hundred thousand Saracens at Agremore. He addressed them
(p. 29) in order to increase their [p-lix] ardour, ordered a solemn
sacrifice to his gods, and charged Ferumbras to march with thirty
thousand of his people against the Christian king (whom he wished to
teach courtesy), and to slay all his men except Roland and Oliver (p.
30), if they would renounce their gods. Ferumbras led out his troops;
until arriving near Charles’s camp, he ordered them to halt in a wood,
and advanced with only ten of his men to the camp of Charlemagne, and
offered to fight at once against six of his peers. If he should conquer
them, he would lead them away to his father’s hall; but if he should
be conquered, he would be Charles’s man. The king sent for Roland and
ordered him to undertake the combat. Roland refuses (p. 31), because
Charles had praised the old knights: they might show their prowess
now. Charles, vexed, smites Roland on the mouth, so that the blood
springs from his nose, and he calls him a traitor. Roland draws his
sword, but the other barons separate them and try to conciliate them.
Meanwhile Oliver, who being sorely wounded kept his bed, on hearing of
this dispute, had armed himself and went to Charles. He reminds the
king of his long services, in reward for which he demands the battle.
Charles remonstrates with him. But Oliver insists (p. 32). He rides to
the forest, and finds Ferumbras alighted under a tree, to a branch of
which his steed was tied. “Arise,” he said, “I am come to fight with
thee.” Ferumbras, without moving, demands his name. “I am Generyse, a
young knight lately dubbed.” Ferumbras observes: “Charles is a fool
to send thee; go and tell him to send me Roland and Oliver and such
four other douzeperes. For little honour were it to me to fight with
thee.” “Spare thy words,” replies Oliver, “and take thy arms” (p. 33).
Ferumbras is wrath and seizes his helmet, which Oliver assists him
to lace. Ferumbras thanks him, courteously bowing to him. They mount
their steeds, and rushing together like fire of thunder, they have
their lances broken. They draw their swords. Ferumbras smites Oliver
on his helmet so that the fire flies. Oliver strikes at the head of
Ferumbras, breaks away the circle of his helmet, and the sword glancing
off down his back, he cuts off two bottles of balm (p. 34), which he
throws into the river. Ferumbras tells him that they were invaluable to
a wounded man, and that he should atone for their loss with his life.
He [p-lx] strikes at Oliver, who wards off the blow with his shield,
but his steed is killed under him. Oliver quickly starts up and tries
to kill his adversary’s horse, but Ferumbras rides off and ties it to
a hazel. “Yield thyself to me,” says Ferumbras, “believe on Mahound,
and I will make thee a duke in my country, and give thee my sister”
(p. 35). “Ere I yield to thee,” answered Oliver, “thou shalt feel my
strokes.” They fight for a considerable time; the blood runs from both
their bodies. By mutual consent they stop to take breath. Ferumbras
again asks Oliver his name and kin. “Thou must be one of the twelve
peers, as thou fightest so well.” “I am Oliver, cousin to Charlemagne.”
“Thou art welcome here,” says Ferumbras; “thou slewest my uncle (p.
36); now thou shalt pay the penalty.” The fight continued the whole
day. At last Oliver, smiting Ferumbras upon the helmet, had his sword
broken. He ran to the steed at the tree and seized a sword that was
hanging there, but in turning on Ferumbras, he received a blow that
made him kneel down (p. 37). But he returns Ferumbras a fearful stroke.
Charles, seeing Oliver on his knees, prayed to Christ that he might
grant the victory over the pagan. An angel announced to him that his
prayer was heard. Charles thanks God (p. 38). The fight begins again.
Ferumbras breaks his sword on Oliver’s helmet. He runs for another and
asks Oliver to surrender. But Oliver aims at him a blow which cuts
his hauberk, so that his bowels are laid bare. Ferumbras implores his
mercy, and consents to be christened, his gods having proved false. He
requested him to take his hauberk (p. 39), to fetch his horse, and to
carry him to his own tent. But the Saracens who lay concealed in the
wood rush out. Oliver, being surrounded, sets down Ferumbras under an
olive-tree, and defends himself with his sword, dealing the Saracens
many a hard blow. Then Roland rushed into the throng of the enemy
and slew many (p. 40). His horse being killed by arrows and darts,
he fights on foot, but his sword breaking, he is taken and led away.
Oliver rides to rescue him, but his horse being also killed, he is
overpowered and bound. Both were conducted to Lukafer of Baldas (p.
41). Charles sees them, and calls for a rescue. Many enemies were slain
by the French barons, but the Saracens had fled with their prisoners,
and [p-lxi] Charles is obliged to turn back. Under a holm tree they
find Ferumbras, whom the king is going to put to death. But on his
requesting to be baptized Charles took pity on him (p. 42), led him to
his tent, and ordered a surgeon to attend him. He soon recovered, and
bishop Turpin baptized him by the name of Floreyn. But he continued to
be called Ferumbras all his life. Afterwards he was known as Floreyn
of Rome on account of his holiness. Roland and Oliver being brought to
the Soudan, Laban enquires their names. They confess their names (p.
43). The Soudan swears they shall both be executed the next morning
before his dinner. But Floripas advises him to detain them as hostages,
and to remember his son Ferumbras, for whom they might be exchanged.
The Soudan, finding her counsel good, orders his gaoler Bretomayn to
imprison them, but to leave them without food (p. 44). At high tide the
sea filled their deep cells, so that they suffered much from the salt
water, from their wounds, and from hunger. On the sixth day Floripas,
who was gathering flowers in her garden, heard them lament. Moved to
compassion, she asks her governess Maragound to help her in getting
food for the prisoners. Maragound refuses, and reminds Floripas of
her father’s command. Floripas, thinking of a trick, called to her
governess to come to a window (p. 45) and see the porpoises sporting
beneath. As Maragound is looking out, Floripas pushes her into the
flood. She then asks Bretomayn to let her see the prisoners. The gaoler
threatened to complain to her father, but Floripas, having seized his
key-clog, dashed out his brains. She then went to tell her father she
had surprised the gaoler feeding the prisoners (p. 46) and promising
to deliver them, wherefore she had slain him. The Soudan gives the
prisoners into her guard. She now proceeded to the prison, asked the
prisoners what they wanted, and promised to protect them from any
harm (p. 47). She let down a rope, and with her maidens drew up both,
and led them to her apartments. There they ate, took a bath, and went
to bed. The Soudan knew nothing of his prisoners being in Floripas’s
chamber. Meanwhile Charlemagne tells Guy that he must go to the Soudan
to demand the surrender of Roland and Oliver, and of the relics of
Rome. Naymes of Bavaria represents that a messenger to the Soudan
[p-lxii] (p. 48) would certainly be slain; and that they ought to be
anxious not to lose any more besides Roland and Oliver. Then said the
king: “By God, thou shalt go with Guy.” Ogier the Dane remonstrates,
but is ordered to go too. So are Thierry of Ardane, and Folk Baliant,
Aleroys, and Miron of Brabant. Bishop Turpin kneels down to implore the
king’s mercy, but he must go too, as well as Bernard of Spruwse (p.
49) and Brier of Mountdidier. The knights take leave and start. About
the same time the Soudan having assembled his council, Sortibrance and
Brouland (p. 50) advise him to send twelve knights, and to bid Charles
to give up Ferumbras and to withdraw from his country. The knights are
despatched; near Mantrible they meet with the Christian messengers.
Duke Naymes enquires whither they intend to go (p. 51). Having heard
their message, the delegates of Charlemagne cut off their heads, which
they take with them to present to the Soudan at Agremore. Laban was
just dining when Naymes delivers his message: “God confound Laban and
all his Saracens, and save Charles, who commands thee to send back his
two nephews and to restore the relics” (p. 52). They then produce the
heads of the Soudan’s messengers. The Soudan vowed a vow that they
should all ten be hanged as soon as he had finished his dinner. But
Floripas recommended him to put off his resolution until a general
council of his barons had determined on the best way to procure the
liberation of Ferumbras. Thereupon the Soudan gives the prisoners into
her guard. Floripas leads the knights into her tower (p. 53), where
they were glad to find Roland and Oliver. They told each other how they
had fared. After washing, they dined off venison, bread, and wine. The
following day Floripas asks Naymes his name, and enquires after Guy of
Burgundy, whom she had loved for a long time (p. 54), and for whom she
would do all she could for their benefit, and would be baptized if he
would agree to love her in return. Naymes tells Guy to take her for his
wife; but Guy refuses, as he never will take a wife unless she be given
him by Charles. But Roland and Oliver persuade him, so that he at last
consents. Floripas, holding a golden cup of wine (p. 55), kissed him,
and requested him to drink to her after the fashion of her country; she
then would drink to him in return. They all [p-lxiii] make merry, and
prepare to assail the Soudan at supper on the following day. Meanwhile
Lukafer comes to the Soudan and asks leave to see the prisoners, in
order to know how Floripas guards them. Finding the door locked (p.
56), he burst it open with a blow of his fist, and told them he was
come to speak to them, and to enquire after Charlemagne. Duke Naymes
answers. Lukafer then asks what amusements they have after dinner.
Naymes says: “Some joust, some sing, some play at chess.” “I will teach
you a new game,” says Lukafer (p. 57). With a thread he fastened a
needle on a pole and put a burning coal upon it. He blew it at Naymes’s
beard and burnt it. Naymes waxed wroth, and snatching a burning brand
from the fire he smites at Lukafer, and throws him into the fire, where
he was burnt to charcoal. Floripas applauds this, but points out their
danger, and advises them to arm. At supper time she goes to her father
(p. 58). As they were sitting at table, the twelve peers rushed in
and slew all whom they met. Laban, pursued by Oliver, jumps out of a
window on to the sea-shore and escaped without injury. They killed all
in the castle, and then drew up the bridges and shut the gates. Laban
vowed a vow that he would hang them all and burn his daughter. He sent
to Mantrible for troops (p. 59) and engines and besieged Agremore.
Floripas recommends the peers to enjoy themselves. In the morning the
Soudan attacks the castle, but is repulsed (p. 60). He accuses his gods
of sleepiness and shakes them to rouse them out of sleep. Brouland
tells him, as the castle is strong and well stored with provisions,
the peers will hold it very long; but if he would send orders to
Alagolofer, the bridge-keeper at Mantrible, not to allow any one to
pass without leave (p. 61), they would get no assistance from Charles
and die from hunger. Espiard, the Soudan’s messenger, is despatched
to Mantrible, and commands the giant not to suffer any one to pass
the bridge (p. 62). Alagolofer drew four and twenty chains across the
bridge. Meanwhile the Soudan assaults the castle again, but the twelve
peers slew three hundred Saracens (p. 63). Laban threatens to hang
them, and utters imprecations against Floripas, who returns them. He
then calls for Mavon, his engineer, and orders him to direct a mangonel
against the walls. Mavon knocked down a piece of the battlements.
[p-lxiv] Roland and Oliver lament; they are comforted by Floripas (p.
64). Guy kills Marsedage, the king of Barbary, by throwing a dart at
him. The Saracens stop the attack to bury Marsedage, and bewail him
seven nights and seven days. Then the Soudan more closely blockades
the castle (p. 65). The provisions being exhausted, Roland complains
of Charles’s forgetfulness; but Floripas cheers him up, saying she
possessed a magic girdle, which was a talisman against hunger and
thirst for those who wore it. They all successively put it on, and felt
as if they had feasted (p. 66). Laban wondered at their endurance, but
at last remembering the girdle, he induced Mapin to attempt to steal
it at night. Mapin entered the chamber of Floripas (p. 67) through a
chimney. He finds the girdle and puts it on, but Floripas perceives him
and cries out. Roland hurries to her assistance, cuts off Mapin’s head,
and throws him out through the window into the sea without noticing
the girdle. Floripas, seeing her girdle lost, is much grieved; Roland
comforts her. They agree to attempt a sally to obtain food (p. 68). In
the morning Naymes and Ogier remain in the castle, while the others
start and surprise the Saracens sleeping in their huts. They slew three
hundred, and carried off as much food as they could bear (p. 69). The
Soudan is enraged and is going to burn his gods, but, appeased by
his wise men, he sacrifices again, and is assoiled by the priests.
Laban holds council (p. 70). A new assault begins, but so many of the
assailants were slain by the showers of stones hurled down by the peers
that the ditches are filled with dead bodies. The Saracens retire. But
soon a second attack ensues. There being no stones, Floripas gave them
her father’s silver and gold to cast amongst the assailants. The Soudan
in alarm for his treasure gives up the assault (p. 71). He is enraged
with his gods, and smites Mahound so that he fell on his face; but the
priests induce him to kneel down and ask forgiveness (p. 72). Meanwhile
Roland exhorted Richard of Normandy to go on a message to Charles,
that he might come to their rescue. They all would, the following
morning before day-break, make an attack on the Saracens, and meanwhile
he should steal off in the darkness. In the morning they sally out.
Floripas and her maidens draw up the bridges after them. Richard
went off towards Mantrible (p. 73). [p-lxv] The others slay many
Saracens; but Guy, overpowered by the Babylonians, is taken prisoner.
Laban asks his name. Guy tells him. He is to be hanged. Three hundred
Saracens crowding near the gate of the castle, attempted to prevent
the other peers from entering. A fearful struggle begins (p. 74), in
which Sir Bryer is killed. At last the Saracens take to flight. The
peers retire inside the castle, taking the corpse of Bryer with them.
Floripas enquires after Guy, and on hearing of his capture, begins to
lament despairingly. Roland promises to rescue Guy (p. 75). On the
following morning Laban orders Sir Tamper to erect a gallows before the
castle, where Floripas could see it. Guy is led bound. Roland calls
his companions to arms. They rush forth (p. 76). Oliver cuts down Sir
Tamper, Roland kills a king of India, takes his sword and horse, and
gives them to Guy, having unbound him. They slay many Saracens, and
put the rest to flight. Retiring towards the castle, they see Admiral
Costroye, and the Soudan’s standard-bearer, escorting a great convoy,
destined for the sultan, across a field near the high road (p. 77).
Roland calls to them to share the provisions with them. Costroye
refuses, and is slain by Roland. Oliver kills the standard-bearer, and
the convoy is conveyed into the castle (p. 78). Floripas thanks Roland
for bringing back Sir Guy, and proposes that he shall choose himself a
mistress from amongst her maidens. But Roland refuses to take any that
is not a Christian. The Soudan, on hearing such bad news, again defies
his gods, and threatens to throw them into the flames (p. 79). But
bishop Cramadas kneels before him and appeases him. The Soudan makes
an offering of a thousand besants to his gods. When Richard arrived as
far as Mantrible, he found the bridge barred by twenty-four chains,
and Alagolofer standing before it. Determined not to leave his errand
unperformed, he knelt down and commended himself to God. A hind appears
(p. 80) and swims across the river; Richard follows her, and passing
over in safety, hurries on to Charlemagne. Meanwhile Genelyn, the
traitor, had advised Charles to retire to France, because the twelve
peers were all slain. The king believed him, and marched homeward,
lamenting for his peers. Richard overtakes him, and is recognized by
Charles, who asks him about the others. [p-lxvi] Richard tells the
king how they are besieged within the castle of Agremore, and are
waiting for his assistance. Charles, vowing vengeance on Genelyn (p.
81), turned and marched to Agremore. Richard informed him of the giant
who kept the bridge, and how he had passed the river by a miracle. He
proposed a plan that twelve knights, disguised as merchants, with their
arms hidden under their clothes, should pay the toll, and the bridge
being let down, they should blow a horn as a signal for the others to
approach. They start and arrive at Mantrible (p. 82). Alagolofer asks
whither they are going. Richard says they are merchants on their way to
the Soudan, and they are willing to pay the toll. Alagolofer refuses
to let them pass, and tells them about the ten knights, who had passed
there and done so much mischief to the Soudan; therefore he will arrest
them all. Sir Focard draws his sword and smites at him, Richard blows
his horn, and Charles advances (p. 83). Alagolofer fights them with
a great oak club. Richard seizes a bar of brass and knocks him down.
Four men get hold of him and throw him into the river. They loosened
the chains; but the Saracens assembling on the walls of the city, many
Christians were slain. Alagolofer’s wife, Barrock the giantess, comes
on with her scythe and mows down all whom she meets. Charles dashes
out her brains (p. 84), and with fifteen knights enters the outer gate
of the town, thinking his army would follow him. But the gate was
instantly closed upon him, and his men came too late. Charles was in
great danger; but Genelyn, seeing him shut in, exclaimed that the king
and the twelve peers were dead, and proposed to retire, as he wished
to be king himself. They were going to return, but Ferumbras (p. 85)
calls him a traitor; he rallies the French, and with his axe bursts
open the gate. He chased the Saracens and rescued the king. Mantrible
is taken with all its engines and treasures. Richard found two children
of seven months old (p. 86), and four feet high. They were sons of
Barrock, begotten by Astragot. Charles caused them to be baptized, and
called the one Roland and the other Oliver. But they soon died for
want of their mother’s milk. The king appoints Richard governor of
the city, and hurries on to Agremore with his army and with Ferumbras
(p. 87). Laban, being told by a spy [p-lxvii] that his city was taken
and the bridge-ward killed, swears to avenge him. He calls a council,
and charges his barons to take Charles alive that he might flay him.
Charles approaches. Floripas first recognizes the banner of France and
tells the others (p. 88). Roland and all his companions sally forth
to meet Charlemagne. Laban draws up all his people in battle-order.
The French make a great slaughter of the Saracens. Charles encounters
the Soudan; he unhorses him, and would have cut off his head, but
for Ferumbras, who requested that his father might be baptized. The
Saracens, seeing Laban a prisoner, fly; but the Christians pursue them.
Three hundred escaped to Belmarine. Charles leads Laban to Agremore.
Floripas welcomes her father (p. 89), but he is enraged at seeing her.
She then bids Charlemagne welcome, and presents the holy relics to him.
Charles kisses them, and says a prayer; he then thanks Floripas for
her assistance to his knights, and for having preserved the precious
relics. He orders Turpin to prepare a vessel wherein to baptize the
Soudan, and to wash off his sin in the water (p. 90). Turpin leads
Laban to the font, but the Soudan strikes at him, spits on the vessel,
utters invectives against all Christians, and curses Ferumbras. Charles
commands Naymes to cut off his head. He is executed; his soul goes to
hell, there to dance with devils. Floripas was baptized with all her
maidens, and was wedded to Guy. Charles divided Spain between Guy and
Ferumbras (p. 91), and charges Sir Bryer of Bretayne to take care of
the relics, and to bring all his treasure to Paris. After taking leave
of Guy and Floripas, Charles sails to Monpilier, where he thanks God
for the victory (p. 92), and for the relics. He presents the cross to
Paris, the crown to St. Denis, the three nails to Boulogne. Charles
well remembered the treachery of Genelyn, and ordered him to be drawn
and hanged at Montfaucon in Paris (p. 93).
[p001]
The Romaunce of the Sowdone of Babylone
and of Ferumbras his Sone who
Conquerede Rome:
«From the unique MS. of the late Sir Thos. Phillipps.»
GOD in glorye of myghteste[89] moost, 1 God has ordained all
That al thinge made in sapience things wisely.
By vertue of woorde and holy goost,
Gyvinge to man grete excellence, 4 He has subjected the
And alle, þat is in erthe, wroght earth to man, and man
Subiecte to man and man̄ to the, to God.
That he shoulde witħ herte and thought
To loue and serve, and nooɳ but the: 8 The man who keeps His
For ȝyfe man̄ kepte thy co«m»maundemente commandments and loves
In al thinge and loued the welle Him well, will feel
And hadde synnede in his entente, His grace. But many
Thaɳ shulde he fully thy grace fele; 12 who offended Him have
But for the offences to God I-doo«n»[90] felt His vengeance. I
Many vengeaunces haue be-falle. will tell you of one;
Where-of I wole yoᶙ telle of ooɳ, it would take too long
It were to mocħ to telle of alle. 16 to tell of all. Listen
While þat Rome was in excellence to me, and ye shall
Of alle Realmes in dignite, hear how Rome, the
And howe it felle for his offence, former mistress of all
Listinythe a while and ye shal see, 20 nations, came to fall
Howe it was woneɳ and brente by its sins, and was
Of a Sowdoɳ, that heatheɳ was, destroyed by a heathen
And for synne howe it was shente; Soudan. King Lewis has
As Kinge Lowes witnessith þat cas, 24 borne witness to
[p002 LABAN, THE SOUDAN OF BABYLON, HEARS]