“Sir and comrade, in God’s Name, That you keeps,
Such good vassals you see lie here in heaps;
For France the Douce, fair country, may we weep,1695
Of such barons long desolate she’ll be.
Ah! King and friend, wherefore are you not here?
How, Oliver, brother, can we achieve?
And by what means our news to him repeat?”
Says Oliver: “I know not how to seek;1700
Rather I’ld die than shame come of this feat.”
CXXIX
Then says Rollanz: “I’ll wind this olifant,
If Charlès hear, where in the pass he stands,
I pledge you now they will return, the Franks.”
Says Oliver: “Great shame would come of that;1705
And a reproach on every one, your clan,
That shall endure while each lives in the land,
When I implored, you would not do this act;
Doing it now, no praise from me you’ll have:
So wind your horn, but not by courage rash,1710
Seeing that both your arms with blood are splashed.”
Answers that count: “Fine blows I’ve struck them back.”
CXXX
Then says Rollant: “Strong it is now, our battle;
I’ll wind my horn, so the King hears it, Charlès.”
Says Oliver: “That act were not a vassal’s.1715
When I implored you, comrade, you were wrathful.
Were the King here, we had not borne such damage.
Nor should we blame those with him there, his army.”
56
