The folds of his hauberk apart he slashed,
Two of his ribs out of his side he hacked,
So flung him dead, while still his charger ran.
After, he slew Gebuin and Lorain,
Richard the old, the lord of those Normans.3470
“Preciuse,” cry pagans, “is valiant!
Baron, strike on; here have we our warrant!”
AOI.
CCLII
Who then had seen those Arrabit chevaliers,
From Occiant, from Argoille and from Bascle!
And well they strike and slaughter with their lances;3475
But Franks, to escape they think it no great matter;
On either side dead men to the earth fall crashing.
Till even-tide ’tis very strong, that battle;
Barons of France do suffer much great damage,
Grief shall be there ere the two hosts be scattered.3480
AOI.
CCLIII
Right well they strike, both Franks and Arrabies,
Breaking the shafts of all their burnished spears.
Whoso had seen that shattering of shields,
Whoso had heard those shining hauberks creak,
And heard those shields on iron helmets beat,3485
Whoso had seen fall down those chevaliers,
And heard men groan, dying upon that field,
Some memory of bitter pains might keep.
That battle is most hard to endure, indeed.
And the admiral calls upon Apollin3490
And Tervagan and Mahum, prays and speaks:
“My lords and gods, I’ve done you much service;
Your images, in gold I’ll fashion each:
Against Carlun give me your warranty!”
Comes before him his dear friend Gemalfin,3495
Evil the news he brings to him and speaks:
112
