He would escape, nothing avail he can.1600
Struck him the count, with so great virtue, that
To the nose-plate he’s all the helmet cracked,
Sliced through the nose and mouth and teeth he has,
Hauberk close-mailed, and all the whole carcass,
Saddle of gold, with plates of silver flanked,1605
And of his horse has deeply scarred the back;
He’s slain them both, they’ll make no more attack:
The Spanish men in sorrow cry, “Alack!”
Then say the Franks: “He strikes well, our warrant.”
CXXIII
Marvellous is the battle in its speed,1610
The Franks there strike with vigour and with heat,
Cutting through wrists and ribs and chines indeed,
Through garments to the lively flesh beneath;
On the green grass the clear blood runs in streams.
The pagans say: “No more we’ll suffer, we.1615
Terra Major, Mahummet’s curse on thee!
Beyond all men thy people are hardy!”
There was not one but cried then: “Marsilie,
Canter, o king, thy succour now we need!”
CXXIV
Marvellous is the battle now and grand,1620
The Franks there strike, their good brown spears in hand.
Then had you seen such sorrowing of clans,
So many a slain, shattered and bleeding man!
Biting the earth, or piled there on their backs!
The Sarrazins cannot such loss withstand.1625
Will they or nill, from off the field draw back;
By lively force chase them away the Franks.
53
