CCLVI
The count Oger no cowardice e’er knew,
Better vassal hath not his sark indued.
He sees the Franks, their columns broken through,
So calls to him Duke Tierris, of Argune,
Count Jozeran, and Gefreid, of Anjou;3535
And to Carlun most proud his reason proves:
“Behold pagans, and how your men they slew!
Now from your head please God the crown remove
Unless you strike, and vengeance on them do!”
And not one word to answer him he knew;3540
They spurred in haste, their horses let run loose,
And, wheresoe’er they met the pagans, strook.
CCLVII
Now very well strikes the King Charlemagne,
Naimès the Duke, also Oger the Dane,
Geifreid d’Anjou, who that ensign displays.3545
Exceeding proof is Don Oger, the Dane;
He spurs his horse, and lets him run in haste,
So strikes that man who the dragon displays;
Both in the field before his feet he breaks
That king’s ensign and dragon, both abased.3550
Baligant sees his gonfalon disgraced,
And Mahumet’s standard thrown from its place;
That admiral at once perceives it plain,
That he is wrong, and right is Charlemain.
Pagan Arabs coyly themselves contain;3555
That Emperour calls on his Franks again:
“Say, barons, come, support me, in God’s Name!”
Answer the Franks: “Question you make in vain;
All felon he that dares not exploits brave!”
CCLVIII
Passes that day, turns into vesper-tide.3560
Franks and pagans still with their swords do strike.
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