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LA CHANSON DE ROLAND
Translated from the Seventh Edition of Leon Gautier,
Professor at the Ecole des Chartes, Paris.
by
LEONCE RABILLON,
Licencie en droit, Paris University, French Lecturer at
Johns Hopkins University.
New York
Henry Holt and Company
1885
Copyright, 1885
by
Henry Holt & Co.
W. L. Mershon & Co.,
Printers and Electrotypers,
Rahway, N. J.
TO
DANIEL C. GILMAN,
_President of Johns Hopkins University_,
_THIS TRANSLATION_
_IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED._
PREFACE.
Several years ago, the maker of this version translated into French one
of the early works of H. W. Longfellow. This circumstance was not
forgotten by the American poet who kindly consented to listen to this
new attempt at rendering into English the "CHANSON DE ROLAND."
To his encouragement is due the present publication. The writer will
ever proudly treasure up the remembrance of his friendly welcome and
counsel....
* * * * *
The translator has followed, as literally as possible, the text of the
Oxford MS., as revised by Leon Gautier. The parts inclosed in
parentheses are interpolations of the learned Professor. This revised
text should be kept in hand by the English reader for comparison with
the original, which is nine centuries old. The translator may thus be
more likely to obtain the indulgence of the reader for the quaint
representation, in a modern language, of the coloring of this most
ancient poem.
The orthography of all the names, as well as their prosodic accent, has
been preserved in their ancient form; and accordingly, an index has been
appended to the work.
The seventh edition of Leon Gautier's "CHANSON DE ROLAND," contains a
vast amount of explanatory notes, grammatical and historical, to which
the reader is referred.
HISTORY OF THE POEM.
On the 15th of August, 778, in a little Pyrenean Valley, still known in
our days by the name of Ronceval, a terrible event took place.
Charlemagne, returning from his expedition to Spain, crossed that valley
and the Pyrenees, leaving his rear-guard in command of Roland, Prefect
of the Marches of Brittany. His main army had passed unmolested; but at
the moment when the rear-guard advanced into the defiles of the
mountain, thousands of Gascons rushed from their ambush, fell upon the
French army and slaughtered the whole guard to the last man. So perished
Roland.
Eginhard, the historian of Charlemagne, terminates his narrative with
these words: "The House-intendant, (Regiae mensae praepositus), Eggihard,
Anselm, Count of the Palace, Roland, Prefect of the Marches of Brittany
(Hruolandus britannici limitis praefectus), with many more, perished in
the fight. It was not possible to take revenge on the spot. The
treacherous attempt once perpetrated, the enemy dispersed and left no
trace." (Eginhard's Life of Charlemagne, Vol. I., p. 31; edition of the
Societe de l'histoire de France.)
From the moment of the defeat of Ronceval, legend commenced its labor
upon this truly epic event which, in its origin, is absolutely French,
but has found its echoes throughout Europe, from Iceland to Eastern
regions.
The commentators generally agree in dating the composition of the Poem
before the first crusade in the year 1096. The author, it is
ascertained, was Norman, the dialect used by him being Norman
throughout. Whether this author was really Turoldus, named in the last
line of the Poem, is a point which Leon Gautier refuses to affirm. We
refer the reader to the very interesting preface of _Genin_, and to the
learned introductions of Leon Gautier, for more complete information.
* * * * *
The word "_Aoi_," which is placed at the end of every stanza, and found in
no other ancient French poems, is interpreted differently by the
commentators. M. Francisque Michel assimilated it at first to the
termination of an ecclesiastical chant--Preface, xxvii.--and later to
the Saxon _Abeg_, or the English _Away_, as a sort of refrain which the
"_jongleur_" repeated at the end of the couplets. M. Genin explains it by
_ad viam_, a vei, avoie, away! it is done, let us go on!
M. Gautier, with his skeptical honesty, declares the word unexplained.
See Note 9, p. 4, of his seventh edition.
MANUSCRIPTS.
The most complete and ancient is that of Oxford, in the Bodleian
Library, marked "Digby, 23," a copy of the XIIth. century. All others
are _Rifaccimenti_, Refashionings.
Two in Venice, in St. Mark Library, XIIIth. century; French MSS., No. 4
& 7.
In the National Library, Paris, No. 860, XIIIth. century.
The Versailles MS., now deposited in the Library of Chateauroux, a copy
of which is in Paris Nat. Library; 15, 108; XIIIth. century.
In the Lyons Library, 964; XIVth. century.
In Cambridge, Trinity Collage, R. 3-32; XVIth. century.
One called the Lorrain, a fragment found near Metz.
The Karlomagnus Saga, an Icelandic copy of the Oxford MS.; XIIIth.
century.
* * * * *
In M. Petit de Julleville's Introduction to his version can be found a
chronological list of the works which concern the "CHANSON DE ROLAND,"
the translations of it, and dissertations on the subject in France and
Germany.
* * * * *
There are twenty-one translations in different languages:
Four in German, by Th. Mueller, Hertz, Boehmer, Eug. Koelbing.
One in Polish, by Mad. Duchinska.
One in Danish, by Unger.
One in Icelandish, Karlomagnus' Saga.
Twelve in French, by Francisque Michel, Bourdillon, Delecluze, Genin, P.
Paris, Vitet, Jonain, de Saint-Albin, d'Avril, Petit de Julleville,
Lehugeur and Leon Gautier, of whose translation seven editions were
issued.
Two in English, one in England by J. O'Hagan, and one in America, the
latest and present one.
Besides, a version from Vitet's French paraphrase, by Mrs. Marsh.
* * * * *
SARRAGOSSA.
COUNCIL HELD BY KING MARSILE.
I.
Carle our most noble Emperor and King,
Hath tarried now full seven years in Spain,
Conqu'ring the highland regions to the sea;
No fortress stands before him unsubdued,
Nor wall, nor city left, to be destroyed,
Save Sarraguce, high on a mountain set.
There rules the King Marsile who loves not God,
Apollo worships and Mohammed serves;
Nor can he from his evil doom escape.
Aoi.
II.
The King Marsile abides in Sarraguce
Where underneath an orchard's leafy shade,
Upon a terrace with blue marble paved
He rests. Around him twenty thousand men
And more are ranked. His Dukes and Counts he calls:
"Oyez, _Seigneurs_, what gath'ring ills are ours:
Great Carle, the Emperor who rules Sweet France
Comes to this land to 'whelm us with his might.
To give him battle I no army have,
Nor people to array against his host:
Your counsel give me, Lords, as my wise men,
And so defend your King from death and shame;"
But answer none a single Pagan gave,
Save Blancandrin _del Castel Val-Fonde_.
Aoi.
III.
Blancandrin, 'midst the wisest Pagans wise,
Who, in his vassalage a valiant knight,
Most prudent counsels gave to help his lord,
Said to the King:--"Be not by this dismayed!
To Carle the proud, the fierce, send messengers
With words of faith and love. Send to him gifts
Of bears and lions, packs of dogs; present
Seven hundred camels also, fifty score
Of molted[1] falcons, and four hundred mules
With heavy weight of gold and silver packed;
Then fifty chariots with their burthens heaped:
Well can this treasure all his soldiers pay.
Within this land he long enough has camped.
To France--to Aix let him at last return;
There will you join him on Saint-Michael's feast,
Accept the Christian law, and swear to be
His man in faith and honor. Should he ask
Hostages, ten or twenty grant, to lure
His trust; let us send our wives' sons. Mine--although
He die, I give. Far better that their heads
Should fall than we lose honor and domain,
Than we ourselves to beggary be brought."
Aoi.
IV.
He further said:--"By this right hand of mine,
And by the beard the air waves on my breast,
Soon shall you see the host of Franks disperse;
To France, their land, the Franks will take their way.
When each has gained the shelter of his home,
King Carle will in his chapel be at Aix,
To celebrate Saint Michael's solemn feast.
The day will come, the term allowed will pass,
And from us shall he hear nor word nor news.
The King is fierce, his soul is hard; and thus
Each hostage head beneath his sword shall fall.
'Twere better far that these should lose their heads
Than we for aye lose glorious Spain the Fair,
And suffer so great ills and doleful woes."
Then say the Pagans:--"This may be the truth."
Aoi.
V.
Hereat the King Marsile the council closed.
Then summon'd he Clarin de Balaguer,
Estramarin and Eudropin his peer;
With Priamon Guarlan the bearded knight,
And Machiner together with Mahen
His uncle, Joimer and Malbien born
Beyond the sea, and Blancandrin, to hear
His words. These ten, the fiercest, he addressed:
"Seigneurs Barons, ye shall go toward Carl'magne;
He to Cordres, the city, now lays siege.
Bear in each hand a branch of olive-tree
In token of humility and peace.
If by your arts his favor you can gain,
I give of gold and silver, lands and fiefs
To each, whatever he may ask of me."
The Pagans answer all:--["Well said our lord!"]
Aoi.
VI.
Marsile his council closed:--"My Lords, ye shall
Set forth;--an olive branch bear in each hand:
And in my name adjure King Carlemagne
That by his God he mercy have on me;
And ere a month be past, he shall behold
Me follow with a thousand faithful knights,
There to submit myself to Christian law
And be his man in love and faith; and if
He hostages require, them shall he have."
Quoth Blancandrin:--"Good treaty will be yours."
Aoi.
VII.
Marsile then ordered forth the ten white mules
The King of Sicily once sent to him;--
Golden their bits--their saddles silver-wrought--
And on them mounted his ambassadors.
Thus holding each a branch of olive-tree,
They rode away and came to Carle of France.
Nor can he from the treacherous snare escape.
Aoi.
COUNCIL OF CHARLEMAGNE AT
CORDOBA.
VIII.
Cheerful and blithe the Emp'ror, for Cordres
Has been subdued, its massy walls o'erthrown,
Its towers by mighty catapults destroyed;
And there his knights have found abundant spoils
Of gold and silver, and rich garnitures.
Nor was one Pagan in the city left
Alive, who did not own the Christian Faith.
Now is the Emperor within a wide
And spreading orchard; there around him stand
Rolland and Olivier, Samsun the Duke,
And Anseis the bold, Gefrei d'Anjou,
Gonfaloneer of Carle, and also there
Gerin and Gerier. Where these were, came
Of others many more. In all, from France
Were gathered fully fifteen thousand knights.
Upon white _pallies_[2] sit these chevaliers;
They play at tables[3] to divert themselves;
The wiser and the elder play at chess.
In mimic sword-play strive the joyous youths.
Under a pine-tree, near an eglantine,
Is placed a faldstool of pure gold whereon
Sits he, the King--great Ruler of Sweet France.
White is his beard, his head all flowering white;
Graceful his form and proud his countenance;
None need to point him out to those who come
The Pagan messengers, dismounting, stood
Before him, proffering humble faith and love.
Aoi.
IX.
Blancandrin was the first to speak, and said
Unto the king:--"Hail! in the name of God,
The Glorious One we must adore! To you
I bring this message from Marsile the brave:
Well has he studied your Salvation's Law;
And would upon you lavish his great wealth.
Bears--lions--packs of hounds enchained he gives,
Seven hundred camels also--fifty score
Of molted falcons--mules, four hundred, packed
With gold and silver--fifty carts to carry
These gifts, and _bezants_[4] of the purest gold
He also sends, which will your soldiers pay.
Too long within our land you have remained;
To France--to Aix he wills you straight return.
There will he follow you: so says my lord."
To God the Emperor uplifts his hands;
Bends low his head and counsel takes in thought.
Aoi.
X.
The Emperor sat silent with drooped head.
Ne'er rash in words, he never speaks in haste.
At last he rose. Proudly he looked and spake
Unto the messengers:--"Ye have well said
That King Marsile e'er stood my greatest foe!
On these fair-seeming words how far can I
Rely?" The crafty Saracen replied:
"Would you have hostages? you shall have ten,
Fifteen, yea, twenty. Though his fate be death
My son shall go, and others nobler still,
I deem. When to your lordly palace, home
Returned--when comes Saint Michael del Peril,
His feast, my Lord will follow to those springs,
He says, brought forth by God for you, and there
Baptized, a faithful Christian will become!"
Carl'magne makes answer:--"He may yet be saved!"
Aoi.
XI.
The eve was soft and fair, the sunset bright;
The ten mules stabled by the King's command;
In the great orchard a pavilion raised
To house the messengers, his Pagan guests.
Twelve sergeants to their service were assigned,
And there they rested till the dawn repelled
The night. With day the Emperor arose;
Heard mass and matins first, then having gone
Beneath a stately pine, he summons all
His wisest barons, council grave to hold,
Thus ever guided by the men of France.
Aoi.
XII.
Beneath a pine the Monarch has repaired;
His barons to the council called: the Duke
Ogier--Archbishop Turpin--old Richard,
Also his nephew Henri, and the brave
Count Acelin of Gascuigne--Tedbald
De Reins--his cousin Milon--Gerier,
Gerin, together with the Count Rolland,
And Olivier, the brave and noble knight.
One thousand Franks of France and more were met--
Then Ganelon came, who treason wrought; and now
Was opened that ill-fated council thus:
Aoi.
XIII.
"Seigneurs Barons," began the Emp'ror Carle,
"The King Marsile his messengers hath sent
To offer me large store of his great wealth;
Bears--lions--hounds in leash;--of camels he
Gives seven hundred--falcons, fifty score--
Four hundred mules packed high with Arab gold,
And more than fifty chariots loaded full;
But he demands that I return to France.
There will he follow: then arrived at Aix,
Will in my palace take Salvation's Faith,
Will Christ obey, and hold his lands from me;
But what is in his heart, I do not know."
The French exclaim:--"Of him we must beware!"
Aoi.
XIV.
The Emp'ror ended thus. But Count Rolland
Approving not the terms, stands forth and speaks
Unto the King with arguments adverse:
"Trust never more Marsile. 'Tis full seven years
Since we came into Spain. For you I took
Both Noples and Commibles; gained Valterne
And all the land of Pine, and Balaguer,
And Tuele and Sebile--yet King Marsile
Still plotting treachery, sent from his horde
Of Pagans, fifteen men; each bore in hand
Like these, a branch of olive-tree, and spake
The self-same words. On that you counsel took
From your too lightly flattering French; two Counts
Of yours you to the Pagan sent, the one,
Bazan, Bastile the other, and their heads
He struck off near Haltoie. As you began,
War on! To Sarraguce your army lead,
Besiege her walls, though all your life it take,
And thus avenge the knights the felon slew."
Aoi.
XV.
At this the Emperor, bending low his head,
Twists his mustache and plucks his hoary beard,
Answering his nephew neither yea nor nay.
The Franks keep silence--all save Ganelon
Who rose and stood before the King, and spake
Bold words and haughty:--"Put not faith in fools,
Nor me nor others; follow your own rede!
Since King Marsile makes offer to become
Your man, with hands joined; furthermore will hold
Spain as a fief from you; yea, will receive
Our law as his law, he who counsel gives
Such proffer to reject, cares not a whit
What death we die. No counsel take of pride;
Let pass the fools and listen to the wise."
Aoi.
XVI.
And now Duke Naimes arose: his beard and hair
As white as drifted snow. In all the court
No better vassal stood; and to the King:
"Have you marked well the words Count Ganelon
In answer spoke but now? His plan is wise;
Follow it then. This King Marsile in war
Is overcome, his strongholds all pulled down;
By warlike engines are his walls destroyed,
His cities burned, his men subdued;--when now
He for your mercy prays, foul sin it were
To press him harder. Since he, furthermore
Will bind his word by gift of hostages,
[One of your barons also send to him.]
In truth no longer this great war should rage."
The French all cry:--"Duke Naimes has spoken well."
Aoi.
XVII.
"Seigneurs Barons, which of you shall we send
To meet the King Marsile in Sarraguce?"
Duke Naimes responds:--"I, with your leave will go;
Give me the glove and staff."--"Nay," quoth King Carle,
"A sage you are in council, well I know:
By this mustache and by this beard of mine,
So far away from me you shall not go.
Back to your seat, since none hath summoned you."
Aoi.
XVIII.
"Seigneurs Barons, which of you shall we send
As messengers to Sarraguce where rules
Marsile?"--Rolland responds:--"Behold me here!"
"--You shall not, by my troth!" cries Olivier,
"Your pride too fierce, and courage far too hot;
I fear some misadventure from your zeal.
Should our King grant me but his leave, 'tis I
Will go!"--The King exclaimed:--"Be silent both--
Nor you, nor he, shall yonder set your foot!
Ay, by this hoary beard of mine, I swear,
Not one of my twelve Peers shall thither go."
The French are dumb---all silenced by these words.
Aoi.
XIX.
Turpin de Reins arises from the ranks
And to the King he says: "Let your Franks stay,
To this land seven years ago you came,
And they have suffered much of toil and pain.
Give me the glove and staff, and I will go
And speak my mind to that proud Saracen."
With anger great the Emperor replies:
"Back to your seat on yonder _pallie_ white
Nor speak another word, save by command!"
Aoi.
XX.
Then said the Emperor:--"Chevaliers of France,
Choose ye for me a baron of my realm,
One who can bear my words to King Marsile!"
Rolland rejoins:--"Let my step-father go;
If he remain, no wiser man is found."
The French say:---"Well can he fulfill the task:
[If the King wills, 'tis right he should be sent."]
Aoi.
XXI.
Thus spoke the King:--"Sire Ganelon, draw near:
Receive the glove and staff--you heard the Franks
Pass judgment, and on you their choice has fallen."
Said Ganelon:--"All this Rolland has done!
My life-long, never will I love him more,
Nor Olivier, his comrade and his friend,
Nor the twelve Peers, for that they love him well.
Here in your presence, I defy them all!"
The King replied:--"Too wroth you are. At once
You shall depart.--I spoke it."--"Sire, I go,
Although for me there is nor shield nor guard:
Basile had none, Bazan, his brother, none!
Aoi.
XXII.
"To Sarraguce I go, and know full well
Who thither goes, may ne'er return. Nay more,
Your sister is my wife, and I by her
Have one fair son, Baldewin, the goodliest child
Who [if he live] will be a noble knight.
To him I leave my fiefs and honors: guard
Him well, for him these eyes no more shall see."
Carle answers:--"Much too tender is your heart;
Since I command, your duty 'tis to go."
Aoi.
XXIII.
Count Ganelon, at this, rose full of wrath,
And, casting from his neck his zibelline
Of fur, stood forth, clothed in his silk _blialt._[5]
Gray were his eyes and very fierce his face;
Graceful his form--his breast, of mighty mold.
So fair was he, all eyes upon him rest.
"Rolland," he said, "wherefore this foolish wrath?
Since thy step-father, 'tis well known, I am,
For this thou choosest me to seek Marsile!
'Tis well. If God but grant me safe return,
I such ill fortune hurl on thee, shall smite
Thy life from now and ever with a curse."
Rolland replies:--"Mad words and proud I hear.
All know it well, I care for no man's threat;
But since a wise man must this message bear,
If the King wills it, in your place I go."
Aoi.
XXIV.
"Thou shalt not take my place," said Ganelon;
"My vassal art thou not, nor yet am I
Thy lord; and since the King hath given me
Command this service I should take, I shall
Go to Marsile. But once in Sarraguce
Will I with fuel feed my heart's fierce ire."
Rolland, on hearing this, began to laugh.
Aoi.
XXV.
When Ganelon saw the laughter of Rolland,
It seemed as though his breast would burst with wrath;
His brain was well-nigh maddened by his rage.
Unto the Count he cried:--"I love you not;
This judgment have you caused on me to fall!
Right Emp'ror, in your presence, lo! I stand,
And I am ready to fulfill your word."
Aoi.
XXVI.
The King presents to him his right hand glove;
But Ganelon would well have ne'er stood there,
For ere he touched the royal glove, it fell.
The French exclaim:--"What bodes this omen? Shall
This embassy not have a woeful end?--"
"_Seigneurs_," said Ganelon, "you will hear of this!"
Aoi.
XXVII.
Said Ganelon:--"Give me dismissal, Sire!
Since I must go, my time is precious." Then
Adjured the King:--"For Jesus' sake and mine!"
With his right hand he Ganelon absolved
And blessed, deliv'ring up the brief and staff.
Aoi.
XXVIII.
Count Ganelon his own house seeks, to make
Equipment and prepare his arms: his choice
The best that he can find. With golden spurs
He clasps his heels; belts to his side his sword,
Murgleis, and mounts his courser Tachebrun.
His uncle Guinemer the stirrup held;
There many a chevalier you might have seen
In tears, who said: "Baron, such evil fate
Was yours. You, in the King's Court so long, and there
Revered as liege-man high!--The man who judged
That you should go, not Carle himself shall cure
Or save; the Count Rolland bethought him not
Of that high lineage whence you sprang!"--And they
Entreat:--"My lord with you take us along!"
But Ganelon replies:--"Lord God forbid!
Better to die alone than with me fall
So many brave!--Lords, to sweet France ye will go.
Salute for me my wife, and Pinabel,
My friend and peer, and my son Baldewin whom
Ye all know--guard him--hold him for your lord."
The Count departs and goes upon his way.
Aoi.
THE EMBASSY AND CRIME OF GANELON.
XXIX.
The Count rides on beneath tall olive trees
And joins the messengers of King Marsile.
To meet him Blancandrin has checked his speed:
With skillful words each to the other spake.
Blancandrin said: "A wond'rous man is Carle
Who conquered Pouille and overran Calabre,
Crossed the salt-seas to England, and from thence
Gained tribute for _Saint-Pierre_. In this our land
What claims he?" "Such his might," said Ganelon,
"No man shall ever match with him in arms."
Aoi.
XXX.
Said Blancandrin: "The Franks are noble, but
Those Dukes, those Counts harm much their lord, who give
To him such counsels, wronging him and all."
Ganelon answered: "No man, save Rolland,
Know I, who should this blame incur; it was
But yestermorn, the King sat in the shade,
When Rolland came before him, all encased
In glittering arms, fresh from the siege and sack
Of Carcasonne, holding an apple red;
And thus his uncle greeted: 'Sire, behold!
I lay the crowns of all Kings at your feet.'
Swift punishment should overtake such pride,
For ev'ry day he blindly runs to death.
Were he but slain, all lands might rest in peace."
Aoi.
XXXI.
Blancandrin said: "Most cruel is Rolland
Who makes all nations cry for mercy thus,
And will o'er all the lands his power impose.
Upon what people doth he then rely
For such attempt?" Ganelon said: "The French!...
They love him so, they fail him ne'er in aught.
Lavish is he of gifts: Silver and gold,
Mules, chargers, silken robes and garnitures,
He gives the King himself all that he craves;
From here to the far East, all lands must fall!"
Aoi.
XXXII.
Blancandrin with Count Ganelon rode on,
Until together had they pledged their faith
To snare Rolland and lead him to his death.
Thus on they rode through vales and mountain-paths,
Till Sarraguce was reached. Beneath a yew
They lighted: a faldstool by shady pines
O'erhung, was spread with Alexandrine silk.
There sat the King who ruled all Spain, and stood
Around him twenty thousand Saracens,
Who neither spoke nor breathed, to hear the news;
And lo! came Blancandrin with Ganelon.
Aoi.
XXXIII.
Blancandrin stepped before the Pagan King
With Ganelon the Count held by the wrist.
Thus to Marsile he said: "Mohammed save
The King! Apollo, too, whose holy law
We keep. We bore your message to Carl'magne;
Both hands he lifted, praying to his God;
No other answer gave.--He sends you here
One of his noble Barons, a rich Frank.
Learn from his lips if it be peace or war."
Responds Marsile: "Then let him speak. We hear!"
Aoi.
XXXIV.
Then Ganelon, who well had weighed his thoughts,
Begins to speak as one of knowledge vast,
And says unto the King: "By God be saved,
The Glorious God we must adore! Carl'magne
The Baron, sends his message to Marsile:
The holy Christian Faith if you receive,
One half of Spain he grants to you in fief.
These terms refuse, and your fair Sarraguce
He will besiege, and drag you forth in chains
To Aix, his royal city, there to meet
A felon's doom."--Quivering with rage and fear,
The King Marsile, who held a gold-winged dart,
Aims it at him; but others stayed his hand.
Aoi.
XXXV.
The King Marsile turned pale, and full of wrath,
Brandished the shaft of his winged dart on high.
Ganelon saw, laid hand upon his sword,
And quick unsheathed two fingers' breadth of blade,
Saying: "Sword of mine you are most fair and bright;
As long as by me borne in this King's court,
Never shall say the Emperor of France
Ganelon died alone in foreign land,
Ere a high price for you the best have paid!"
The Pagans cry in haste: "Check this affray."
Aoi.
XXXVI.
The wisest Pagans urged the wrathful King,
Till, yielding, on his throne he has resumed
His seat. The Kalif said: "Great wrong you brought
Upon us, menacing to strike the Frank.
You should have hearkened to his words." "This wrong,"
Said Ganelon, "I calmly will endure;
But for the gold that God hath made all wealth
Stored in this land, I would not leave untold,
While I have power of speech, the message sent
By Carle, the mighty Emperor, through me
His messenger, to thee his mortal foe."
Ganelon on the ground his mantle dropped
Of Alexandrine silk, and richly lined
With zibelline; Blancandrin took it up:
But from his sword the Count would never part;
And his right hand still grasps the golden hilt.
The Pagans say:--"Behold a Baron true!"
Aoi.
XXXVII.
Then Ganelon strode nearer to the King
And said:--"All idle is this wrath of yours.
This is the message of King Carle of France;
Hear his command:--"Receive the Christian law"--
One half of Spain he grants to you in fief,
And to Rolland, his nephew, he will give
The other half. (A haughty partner he
Will prove.) To this agreement should you not
Consent, 'gainst Sarraguce his host will lay
The siege; by force you will be tak'n and bound,
And brought to Aix, the royal seat. Hope not
To ride on palfrey, nor on steed, on mule
Female or male;--on a vile beast of burden
You shall be thrown, and doomed to have your head
Struck off.--Behold the Brief our Emp'ror sends!"
With his right hand he gives it to the King.
Aoi.
XXXVIII.
White with exceeding wrath, the King Marsile
Has brok'n the seal, let fall the wax on earth,
And, glancing on the Brief, has read the script:
"I learn from Carle who holds France in his sway,
That I should bear in mind his ire and grief:
Bazan--Basile, his brother, they whose heads
I took on Mount Haltoie, his anger's cause.
If I my body's life would save, to him
The Kalif, my good uncle, I must send,
Or else can he ne'er be my friend."--Then spake
To King Marsile his son:--"This Ganelon,"
Said he, "speaks madly, and such wrong hath done,
That he should live no more. Now give him up
To me, that I to him quick justice deal!"
Ganelon, hearing this, unsheathed his sword,
And set his back against a branching pine.
Aoi.
XXXIX.
Into his orchard King Marsile repaired,
Attended only by his wisest men;
Came thither too the gray-haired Blancandrin
With Turfaleu his son and heir; with them
The Kalif, brother and good friend of King
Marsile.--Said Blancandrin:--"Recall the Frank;
To serve us he has pledged his faith."--The King
Replied:--"Go, bring him hither."--Then he took
Ganelon's fingers into his right hand,
And brought him to the grove before the King;
And lo! was woven there the traitor's plot.
Aoi.
XL.
The King Marsile said:--"Fair Sire Ganelon,
Unwise and all too hasty was I, when
In my great wrath I poised my lance to strike.
This gift of sables take as your amends:
More than five hundred marks their weight in gold.
Before to-morrow-eve the boon is yours."
Ganelon answers:--"I reject it not.
May God, if 'tis his will, your grace reward."
Aoi.
XLI.
Marsile spake thus:--"Sire Ganelon, believe,
Much I desire to love you, and of Carle
I crave to hear. Is he not old, his prime
Has he not passed? Men tell me he has lived
More than two hundred years; his body dragged
Throughout so many lands; so many blows
Upon his shield!--So many mighty Kings
To beggary reduced!--When will he cease
To march on battle-fields?"--Then Ganelon
Responded:--"Such is not King Carle; no man
Alive who sees and knows him but will tell
How our great Emperor is Baron true.
I could not praise and honor him enough,
For no man lives so valiant and so good.
His valor ... who on earth could ever tell?
His soul God with such virtue has illumed,
I'd rather die than quit my noble lord!"
Aoi.
XLII.
The Pagan said:--"Amazed am I at Carle
So old and so white-haired; his age, I know,
Two hundred years and more. His limbs he toiled
Across so many lands; so oft was struck
By swords and spears; so many kings compelled
To beg!--When will he cease to war?"--"Carle?--ne'er!"
Ganelon answered, "while his nephew lives:
No vassal like him 'neath the starry arch;
And bold as he his comrade Olivier.
The twelve Peers held by Carle so dear, behold!
The vanguard form of twenty thousand knights;
With them King Carle is safe, and fears no man."
Aoi.
XLIII.
Again the Pagan:--"I am wonder-struck
On knowing Carle so old and so white-haired!
Methinks he passed two hundred years; by arms
He won so many lands--so many wounds
In battle he received from trenchant swords!
So many powerful kings on battle-fields
Conquered or slew!--When will he cease to war?"
"--Never!"--said Ganelon, "while lives Rolland:
From here to farthest east no knight his peer
E'er lived: his comrade too, Count Olivier,
Is brave; and the twelve Peers, so dear to Carle,
The van-guard make of twenty thousand knights.
Carle may have peace, and fears no living man!"
Aoi.
XLIV.
"Fair Sire," said King Marsile to Ganelon,
"Than mine no fairer people can you see:
Four hundred thousand knights I can array
In combat 'gainst King Carle and 'gainst his Franks."--
Ganelon says:--"The time has not yet come,
Yea, and great loss your people then will have.
But leave this folly, and to wisdom hold;
Offer the King of treasures such a store
That all the French will marvel at the gift.
For twenty hostages that you will send,
Back to Sweet France will Carle ere long repair.
His rear-guard, notice well, will rest behind:
There will Rolland, his nephew, be, I trow,
With Olivier the brave and courteous knight.
Trust to my counsel and both Counts are doomed,
Nay, Carle shall see his lofty pride cast down
And never more shall covet war with you."
Aoi.
XLV.
[Thus King Marsile] said:--"Fair sire Ganelon,
What means have I to kill the Count Rolland?"
Ganelon answered:--"This can I well say:
The King will reach the wider pass of Sizre
And leave his rear behind, where great Rolland
Eke Olivier, whom both he greatly trusts,
Will be the chiefs of twenty thousand Franks.
On these your hundred thousand Pagans throw,
And let them straightway make an onset fierce:
Stricken and slain shall be the men of France;
I say not that of yours none shall be slain,
But follow up this fight with like attack,
And Count Rolland cannot escape them both,
Then will you deeds of chivalry achieve,
And free your life from war for evermore."
Aoi.
XLVI.
"Who could contrive that there Rolland should die,
Would strike off Carle's right arm. Then on the field
That wond'rous host in death shall lie. No more
Thereafter could King Carle such forces raise,
And the Great Land at last would rest in peace."
Marsile, this hearing, kissed him on the neck,
And then began his treasures to display.
Aoi.
XLVII.
Exclaimed Marsile:--"What further [shall I say?]
No good adviser he of faith unsure.
Swear if Rolland be there that he shall die!"
Thus answered Ganelon:--"Your will be done."
Upon the relics of his sword Murgleis
The treason swore; thus forfeited himself.
Aoi.
XLVIII.
An ivory-faldstool there was set. Marsile
The order gives to bring a book before it,
Mohammed's law and that of Tervagant,
The Spanish Saracen thus took his oath:
"If in the rear-guard Count Rolland be found,
He will attack him there with all his men;
And, if it may be, there Rolland shall die."
Ganelon answers:--"May [our treaty thrive!]"
Aoi.
XLIX.
Behold a Pagan, Valdabrun, who armed
Marsile a Knight; with cheerful smile he said
To Ganelon:--"Take this my sword; no man
E'er drew its peer; the hilt alone is worth
More than a thousand marks.--For love I give it,
But lend us help against the Count Rolland,
And show us how to find him in the rear."
"--So shall it be," replies Count Ganelon;
Whereon they kissed each other's chin and face.
L.
Another Pagan came. 'Twas Climorin
Who gayly smiling, said to Ganelon:
"My helmet take--None better have I seen,
But help us now against _Marchis_ Rolland
That we may throw dishonor on his name."
"--Well shall it be," responded Ganelon,
And then they kissed each other's lips and cheek.
Aoi.
LI.
And now behold, comes Bramimunde the Queen;
"Sire Ganelon," said she, "I love you much,
You, by my sire and all our men esteemed.
Two necklaces unto your wife I send,
With jacinths and with amethysts and gold
Adorned, worth more than all the wealth of Rome;
Jewels so rich your Emp'ror never had."
The Count receives and puts them in his hose.
Aoi.
LII.
The King calls up Malduit, his treasurer:
"Hast thou prepared my gifts for Carle the King?"
Malduit responds:--"Yea sire, the whole are there:
Seven hundred camels with their loads of gold
And silver; then of hostages a score,
The noblest ever lived beneath the stars."
Aoi
LIII.
Marsile took by the shoulder Ganelon
And told him:--"Thou hast wisdom and art brave.
By that great law ye hold the best, beware
Thy heart fails not. Rich treasures will I give
To thee: ten mules laden with purest gold
From Araby; each year shall bring the like.
Meantime of this great city take the keys,
And in my name present this wealth to Carle.
But let Rolland be ordered to the rear.
If in the pass or mount I find the knight,
I swear to give him combat to the death."
Says Ganelon:--"Methinks too long I stay."--
He mounts his horse and goes upon his way.
Aoi.
LIV.
The Emperor nears his realm, and reaching now
The city of Valterne sacked by Rolland
And left in ruins, which thereafter lay
A hundred years a desert; there he waits
For news of Ganelon, and tribute due
By the great land of Spain. One morning when
The early dawn was brightening into day,
Count Ganelon drew nigh unto the camp.
Aoi.
LV.
In early morn the Emperor arose.
Having attended mass and matins both,
Upon the verdant grass, before his tent
He stood, surrounded by the Count Rolland,
The valorous Olivier, and the Duke Naimes,
With many more besides. There also came
The perjurer, the treacherous Ganelon,
Who, stepping forth, with most perfidious tongue
Began to speak:--"Hail! God save Carle the King!--
I bring you here the keys of Sarraguce:
Great treasures follow through my care conveyed
With hostages a score. So, guard them well.
The King Marsile the brave bears not the blame
If I bring not the Kalif unto you.
Myself three hundred thousand men in arms
Beheld, with hauberks clad, and helmets clasped,
Swords by their sides, hilts bright with gold inlaid,
Who with him crossed the sea, not to submit
To Christ's law which they will not hold nor keep.
But scarce five leagues had they sailed on the main,
When wind and tempest rising, down they sank.
All perished!... Never shall you see them more.
Had but the Kalif lived, I would have brought
Him hither. For the Pagan King, know well,
Ere you shall see this first month pass away,
Your vassal will he be, with joined hands,
And hold the realm of Spain a fief from you."
Thus said the King:--"Thanks be to God for this!
Well have you done, and great your recompense
Shall be."--He bids a thousand trumpets sound...
The camp is struck:--the Franks then load their mules
And set forth on their journey to Sweet France.
Aoi.
THE REAR GUARD.
ROLLAND DOOMED TO DEATH.
LVI.
King Carle the Great has made a waste of Spain,
The cities violated, the castles seized.
Now saith the King his war is at an end,
And toward Sweet France the Emperor directs
His steed.... The Count Rolland the pennon white
Has planted on a hill, high 'gainst the sky.
In all the country round the Franks their tents
Are pitching, while the Pagans ride along
The mighty vales. In hauberk clad--their backs
In armor cased; with helmets clasped--sword girt
On thigh--shields on their necks--each lance in rest,
Within a thicket on the mount they halt.
Four hundred thousand men there wait the dawn.
The French yet know it not. Ah God! what woe!
Aoi.
LVII.
Passes the day; the shades of night have fallen.
Carle the great Emp'ror sleeps; and in a dream
He marches through the deep defiles of Sizre.
In his right hand his ashen spear he holds,
Which suddenly Count Ganelon has snatched
From him, and shook and brandished in such wise
That, breaking, high tow'rd Heav'n the splinters flew.
Carle sleeps--naught from his slumber can arouse him.
Aoi.
LVIII.
Another vision followed hereupon:
He is in France, in his _Chapelle_, at Aix.
A bear his right arm caught with such sharp fangs
[That from the bone the flesh is torn away.]
From toward Ardennes he saw a leopard come,
Which in his dream, made on him fierce attack;
But then a greyhound dashes from the hall
Unto Carle's rescue, swift of leap and bound;
First from the treach'rous bear the hound tears off
An ear, then with the leopard combat makes.
"See!" cry the French, "what battle fierce is here."
But they know not which of the two will win
The field--Carle still asleep naught can awake.
Aoi.
LIX.
Vanished the night, and the clear dawn appeared.
With noble mien the Emperor mounts his steed,
And 'mid the host one thousand trumpets sound:
"_Barons_," said Carle:--"You see those deep defiles
And narrow passes--judge who in the rear
Will take command." Said Ganelon:--"Rolland,
My step-son, whom among your valiant knights
You prize the most." Carle hearing this, upon
Him sternly looked:--"Thou art the devil's self,"
Said he, "or else a mortal rage has stung
Thy heart! Say, who before me in the van
Will march? 'Twill be Ogier de Dannemarche!
You have no better Baron for the post."
Aoi.
LX.
When hears the Count Rolland the lot has fallen
Upon himself, as loyal knight he speaks:--
"You, sire step-father, dear and well beloved
Must be, since you have named me for the rear;
Nor shall Carl'magne, the King of France, lose aught,
Nor palfrey, nor fleet steed, if knowledge true
I have, nor male nor female mule that man
Can ride, nor beast of burden, horse or ass,
Unreckoned for with these good swords of ours."
Said Ganelon:--"The truth you speak, I know."
Aoi.
LXI.
When hears Rolland the rear shall be his lot,
To his step-father thus in wrath he speaks:--
"Ah! traitor, evil man of race impure,
Thou thought'st to see me here let fall the glove
As thou erst dropped the staff before the King!"
Aoi.
LXII.
The Count Rolland [addressing thus Carl'magne:]
"Give me the bow that now your hand doth hold,
For, to my knowledge, none will e'er throw blame
On me for dropping it, as fell on earth
Your right hand glove, when he received the staff."
With head declined the Emperor remains:
Oft plucks and twists the beard on lip and cheek,
Nor can his eyes restrain their falling tears.
Aoi.
LXIII.
Naimes after came--no better ever was
A vassal in the court. He said to Carle:
"You hear him; greatly wroth is Count Rolland;
The rear guard is assigned to his command;
No baron have you that with him would make
Exchange. Give him the bow and your hand has bent,
And look for those who best may lend him help."
Carle gives the bow which Count Rolland receives.
Aoi.
LXIV.
The Emperor calls to Rolland and says:--
"Fair sire, my nephew, truly you must know
Half of my army will I leave with you;
Keep them; in their good help your safety lies."
Then said the Count:--"Of this will I do naught!
May God confound me, ere my race I shame;
But twenty thousand valiant knights I keep!
Through the defiles you can in safety pass
And fear no harm from man while yet I live."
Aoi.
LXV.
Rolland sits on his steed, and nigh him rides
His comrade Olivier. There came Gerin,
Gerier the brave, Othon and Berengier;
There came Sansun, Anseis the fierce; there came
Also Gerard de Roussillon the old,
Together with the _Gascuin_ Engelier.
The Archbishop said:--"I, by my head, will go!"
"--And I with you," exclaimed the Count Gualtier;
"Rolland's own man am I, and follow him!"
From all are chosen twenty thousand knights.
Aoi.
LXVI.
The Count Rolland calls up Gualtier de l'Hum:
"One thousand Franks of France, our land, array,
And with them cover heights and passes, that
The Emperor may lose none of his host."
Responds Gualtier:--"This am I bound to do
For you."--Forthwith one thousand Franks of France
O'errun each height and pass.--None shall descend
Despite ill news, ere seven hundred swords
Unsheathe. That very day King Almaris
Who rules Belferne, met them with battle fierce.
Aoi.
LXVII.
High are the mounts, the valleys murky-dark--
The rocks are black, the gorges terrible.
The French toiled through them painfully; their march
Was heard for fifteen leagues; then the Great land
Reaching, they viewed Gascuigne, their lord's estate,
And sweet remembrance felt of honors, fiefs,
Of lovely maidens and of noble wives:
Not one is there but weeps from tenderness;
But more than all is Carle distressed; he mourns
His nephew left in the defiles of Spain....
By pity moved he cannot choose but weep.
Aoi.
LXVIII.
The twelve Peers staid in Spain. A thousand score
Of Franks are under their command, to whom
Unknown is wavering fear or dread of death.
Carl'magne to France returns--within his cloak
He hides his face--Naimes, riding near, inquired:
"What thought, O King, weighs now upon your heart?"--
"Who questions me doth wrong. So sad am I
I can but mourn. Sweet France by Ganelon
Shall be destroyed. An angel in my sleep
Appeared, and, dreaming, I beheld my lance
Broken up within my hand by him who named
My nephew for the rear guard ... and I left
Him in a foreign land;--O mighty God,
Should I lose him, I ne'er should find his peer!"
Aoi.
LXIX.
Carle the great King, no more restrains his tears:
One hundred thousand Franks great sympathy
Give him, with strangest fear for Count Rolland.
Vile Ganelon, the wretch, this treason wrought!
He, from the Pagan King received rich gifts
Of gold and silver, silk and ciclatons,
Lions and camels, horses, mules. Behold,
King Marsile summons all his Counts from Spain,
His Viscounts, Dukes and Almazours; with these
The Emirs, and the sons of noble Counts;
Four hundred thousand gathered in three days,
In Sarraguce are beaten all the drums;
Mohammed's image to the loftiest tower
Is raised on high.--No Pagan but adores
And prays before him.--They then madly ride
Throughout the land, o'er mountain and o'er vale.
At last they see the gonfalons of France;
It is the rear-guard of the twelve compeers:
Nor will they fail to give them battle now.
Aoi.
LXX.
Hastes to the front the nephew of Marsile,
Goading the mule that bears him, with a staff.
Says to his uncle, gayly laughing loud:
"Fair King, till now I served you well; for you
Endured hard pain and grief.--The only fee
I ask is this:--To strike Rolland! I swear
To give him death with my good trenchant sword,
And if his help Mohammed will bestow,
On me, forever shall all Spain be free,
From the defiles of Aspre to Durestant.
Carle then will yield,--the Franks, surrender all;
No more in all your life will you have war."
The King Marsile bestows on him the glove.
Aoi.
LXXI.
The nephew of Marsile holds in his grasp
The glove, and to the King with haughty pride
Speaks:--"Fair Sire King, your gift I dearly prize;
Choose you for me eleven of your Knights,
And I will go and combat the twelve Peers."
The first response was that of Falsaun:
He was the brother of the King Marsile.--
"Fair nephew, we shall go, both you and I;
In battle side by side, we shall engage.
The rear of Carle's great host is doomed to die!"
Aoi.
LXXII.
King Corsalis stands on the other side;
He comes from Barbary; a soul of guile.
Still speaks he there not unlike vassal true
Who would not for the gold of heav'n be base:
"If there I find Rolland, we meet in fight.
I am the third; now choose ye out the fourth."
See you the spurring Malprimis de Brigal,
Faster on foot than runs the fastest steed?
Before Marsile in a loud voice he cries:
"I shall my body take to Ronceval;
If there I find Rolland, by me he dies."
Aoi.
LXXIII.
An Emir now is there, from Balaguer.
Of handsome form, with proud and cheerful face,
When on his steed he vaults, well doth he show
With what great pride his armor's mail is borne.
For truest vassalage he is renowned;
Were he but Christian, 'twere a baron true.
Before Marsile he stands and loudly cries:
"My body I will take to Ronceval;
If there I face Rolland his doom is sure,
Eke Olivier and the twelve peers, all die.
The Franks shall perish in despair and shame.
Carl'magne is old and dotes. O'erwhelmed, at last
He will give up this waging war, and Spain
Forever shall be kept beneath our sway."
The King Marsile on him bestows great thanks.
Aoi.
LXXIV.
Then from the Moorish land an Almazour
Steps forth. All Spain can show no greater wretch.
Before Marsile he makes a boastful vaunt:
"To Ronceval will I my people lead--
Full twenty thousand men with lance and shield.
If I Rolland find there, I pledge his death;
No after-day shall dawn but Carle shall weep."
Aoi.
LXXV.
From elsewhere comes Turgis de Turteluse.
He is a count, and o'er this city wields
His sway; hate unto Christians has he vowed,
And stands with all the rest before Marsile.
He thus addressed the king: "Ne'er be dismayed!
More worth Mohammed than Saint Pierre of Rome;
But serve him well, the honor of the field
[Is ours]. I'll meet Rolland at Ronceval
Where none can guard him. Mark this sword of mine;
Its blade, so good and long, in desperate fight
Will cross with Durendal; and you will hear
Which of the two shall win the victory.
Abandoned unto us the French must die.
The old King Carle will have both grief and shame,
And never more on earth will wear a crown."
Aoi.
LXXVI.
Comes up besides Escremiz de Valterne,
A Saracen, and of that country lord.
Before Marsile among the throng he cries:
"To Ronceval I go, to crush the proud;
Nor shall Rolland, if there, bear off his head,
Nor Olivier, chief of the other knights;
The twelve peers, all are doomed to perish there.
The French shall die, and France become a waste.
Of such good vassals Carle will see the loss."
Aoi.
LXXVII.
And came with Esturgant, Estramaris,
His friend; both wretches, traitors, villains are....
Thus spake Marsile: "Come forth, Seigneurs; ye both
To Ronceval's defiles shall go and help
Me there to lead my host." Both answer: "King,
At your command, Rolland and Olivier
Will we assault. No power can the twelve peers
From death defend against our trenchant swords
Whose blades shall redden with hot blood. The French
Are doomed to death and Carle to doleful life.
France, the Great Land, shall through our arms become
Your realm. Come, King, to see this verified;
The Emperor's self a captive we'll present."
Aoi.
LXXVIII.
There hastens Margariz de Sibilie
Who holds the country toward the distant sea.
His beauty such, all ladies are his friends;
Not one looks on him but to smile, nor can
Restrain her laughing joy. No Pagan else
More glorious deeds of chivalry achieved;
Pressed through the crowd, he cries above the rest
Unto the king: "Be not dismayed, for I
To Ronceval will go to kill Rolland,
And Olivier shall not escape alive;
To martyrdom the twelve Peers are condemned.
See my good sword with gold-embossed hilt,
Given me by the _Amiralz_ of Prime;
I pledge my faith it will be dyed in blood.
The French shall perish, France be steeped in shame,
And Carle the old, with beard all blossom-white,
Shall see no day uncursed by grief and wrath.
Before one year we shall have conquered France
And slept beneath the roofs of Saint-Denis."
At this, the Pagan king bowed low his head.
Aoi.
LXXIX.