HOW OLIVER FOUGHT WITH FIERABRAS
Fierabras, seeing that he must needs fight, said to Oliver, "Come
now, help me to arm myself." Said Oliver, "Can I trust you?" "Yea,"
answered Fierabras, "that can you: never have I been traitor to any
man, nor ever will." So Oliver armed him; he helped him to don first
a suit of leather of Arabia and after this a coat and habergeon of
steel, and an helmet richly garnished with jewels for his head. Was
ever such courtesy in this world, Oliver helping this pagan to arm,
whom, being unarmed, he might full easily have slain, and the pagan
having pity upon Oliver as not being his match in fighting and all
the more when he saw that he had been wounded? Would that there were
more of such courtesy between Christian men!
When he was armed, Fierabras took the three swords that he had,
Pleasance and Baptism and Grabon, all being of so fine a temper that
there was no armour made but they could break through it. The three
were made by one of three brothers; another of these three made three
more, of which Durendal, the sword of Roland, was the most famous;
and yet another brother also made three, of which it suffices to name
Hautclere that was the sword of Oliver, and Joyous that was one of
the chief treasures of King Charles. On his shield he had the image
of his god, Apollyon to wit, to whom when he had commended himself,
he yet once again besought Oliver to depart. And when Oliver had
again refused, saying that he trusted to prevail by the help of his
God, Fierabras said to him, "Now as you are a Christian man, I adjure
you by the font wherein you were baptized and by the cross to which
your God was nailed, to tell me truly your name and lineage."
Oliver answered, "You could not have adjured me by greater things
than this same font and cross; know therefore that I am Oliver, the
son of Reyner, close comrade of Roland, and one of the Twelve Peers
of France."
Then said Fierabras, "I knew that you were no poor and unknown
knight, but a great warrior and a famous, so great was your courage.
But you are wounded, and it would be dishonour to me should I
overcome you by means of your weakness." But Oliver answered him
fiercely, "Enough of these idle words; when we come to fight together
you shall see that I am no dead man. Nevertheless as you are a
courteous knight, I will require you once again to forsake Mahomet
and your false gods, and submit yourself to be baptized. So shall
you have Roland and King Charles for your friends." "Nay," said
Fierabras, "but this is folly. Let us address ourselves to battle
without more delay."
Then did these two champions lay their spears in rest and make ready
to charge. When the men of France saw this they were in great fear
lest some mischance should befall Oliver; as for the King, he hid his
face in his mantle and kneeling before the crucifix embraced it,
weeping the while, and crying, "O Lord, I beseech Thee keep Oliver
and suffer not the Christian faith to be dishonoured by his
downfall." Meanwhile the two warriors met in the shock of battle,
and that so fiercely that the sparks flew from their spearheads when
they smote on the shields, and that the shafts of both were broken.
The reins dropped from their hands, and they were both so astonied
that they scarce knew where they were. But then coming to themselves
they drew each man his sword. And first Oliver with Hautclere smote
Fierabras so fiercely on the helmet that he shore off a great portion
of it, and the jewels wherewith it was garnished fell to the ground.
Nor was the force of the blow yet spent: it reached the giant's
shoulder, but the cuirass which was of stout leather of Cappadocia,
stayed it; nevertheless the giant's feet were thrust out of the
stirrups, and he came very near to being overthrown. And all the men
of France cried with one voice, "Blessed Mary, what a mighty stroke
has Oliver dealt to this pagan!" "'Tis true," said Roland, "would I
were with him this day!" Then Fierabras, in his turn, smote Oliver
with his sword Pleasance on the helmet. From the helmet it glanced
down and grievously wounded the Christian's horse. Then Oliver was
not a little dismayed, and commended himself to God and the Virgin.
Which, when Fierabras heard, he said, "I am ill content to have so
hurt you. Hardly shall you see the sun set this day, for already you
grow faint. But this has befallen you because you are already
wounded. Be wise therefore and leave the battle while there is yet
time." But Oliver would have none of such counsel. Therefore they
fell to fighting again, and this so fiercely that the armour of the
two of them was well-nigh broken to pieces.
When the King saw this, and perceived that Oliver was in no little
danger, he was greatly troubled. He prayed aloud, saying, "O Lord
God, now keep the valiant Oliver, that he be not slain or taken.
Verily, if aught happen to him, I swear by my father's soul that I
will burn every monastery and church and altar in the land." But the
Duke Naymes rebuked the King, saying, "Speak not thus, Sir King.
Rather pray to God that of His goodness He will help Oliver." And
the King said, "You are right; I spake foolishly."
Meanwhile the two champions continued to fight fiercely, more
fiercely than befitted prudent or experienced warriors. Oliver
especially was so carried out of himself that his hand grew numb with
the frequency of his blows, and at last his sword flew out of his
hand. Straightway he ran to regain it, putting his shield over his
head to cover himself from the enemy's blows. But this did not avail
him, for Fierabras smote twice on the shield, and so mightily that he
brake it into pieces, and the breastplate under it also. And Oliver
durst not go forward to take up his sword, for he feared greatly what
the giant might do to him. When the men of France saw in what
straits he was, they made as if they would arm themselves and go to
his help. But this King Charles would not suffer. "Not so," said
he; "God can save him and maintain him in the right, and He will do
so."
Then the others abode in their place. But now Fierabras began to
jeer and scoff at Oliver, "Now I know that you are vanquished, for
you dare not put out your hand to take your sword for fear of me; no,
you would not stoop to the ground to gain the wealth of the whole
world. Now hearken to me: if you will deny your faith and declare
that your God is no god, and believe in Mahomet, then I will give you
my sister Floripas in marriage, than whom there is no fairer maid
upon earth, and we two will conquer France or ever this year shall
have passed, and I will make you King of one-half of this realm."
Oliver answered, "Now God forbid that I should listen to such folly.
These your gods are no gods at all, and have no goodness or
strength." Fierabras said, "I see that you are firmly set in your
mind not to do these things. Now there was never man on earth who
has given me such trouble of mind as have you. But now take up your
sword; for without it you can have no more strength in battle than a
woman." "That will I not do," answered Oliver. "I will not take my
sword by your courtesy. My life and death are with God; and I will
win my sword by fair fight or not at all."
Thereupon Fierabras came against Oliver, having his sword Pleasance
in his hand. Then was Oliver in a great strait, for he had no sword,
and his shield was cleft in twain, and his armour grievously broken.
But God had mercy upon him, and put it in his head to look about him.
And looking he saw the horse of Fierabras, and on the saddle two
swords, Baptism and Grabon. Whereupon he made haste and laid hold on
the sword Baptism. And when he had possessed himself of it, he said,
"King of Alexandria, now the time of reckoning has come. See, I have
one of your swords; you must take good care lest it be your
destruction." When Fierabras saw what Oliver had done, he changed
colour and said, "O Baptism, my good sword, what is this? Never did
better weapon hang by my side or by the side of any man living upon
earth." Then he said to Oliver, "You are, I well know, an honourable
knight. Come, now, take your own sword and give to me that which is
mine." "Not so," answered Oliver; "I will make no agreement with
you, save this: that I will do my best to slay you, and you shall do
the same with me."
And when he had said this, Oliver ran at Fierabras as fiercely as a
lion that leaps upon its prey. Nor was Fierabras slow to meet him.
Indeed, he smote him so stoutly that he brake through his helmet,
wounding the knight's head. Seeing this he cried, "Now you are
wounded, Sir Oliver. Never more shall you see King Charles or
Roland; so shall I at last have my desire." But Oliver answered, "Be
not so proud nor boast overmuch. I have a good confidence that I
shall either slay you or conquer you." Then he made a feint to
strike the pagan on the head; and Fierabras, raising his shield over
high to cover himself from the blow, left his side unguarded, which
Oliver, quickly perceiving, drove his sword with all his might into
the pagan's side. And the man fell with the blow, so mighty was it,
for Oliver dealt it with all his strength that so he might put an end
to the fight.