Who charters wrote for th’ Minster at Loüm;
Nothing he’s heard that does not know this much.
CLVI
The count Rollanz has nobly fought and well,
But he is hot, and all his body sweats;2100
Great pain he has, and trouble in his head,
His temples burst when he the horn sounded;
But he would know if Charles will come to them,
Takes the olifant, and feebly sounds again.
That Emperour stood still and listened then:2105
“My lords,” said he, “Right evilly we fare!
This day Rollanz, my nephew shall be dead:
I hear his horn, with scarcely any breath.
Nimbly canter, whoever would be there!
Your trumpets sound, as many as ye bear!”2110
Sixty thousand so loud together blare,
The mountains ring, the valleys answer them.
The pagans hear, they think it not a jest;
Says each to each: “Carlum doth us bestead.”
CLVII
The pagans say: “That Emperour’s at hand,2115
We hear their sound, the trumpets of the Franks;
If Charlès come, great loss we then shall stand,
And wars renewed, unless we slay Rollant;
All Spain we’ll lose, our own clear father-land.”
Four hundred men of them in helmets stand;2120
The best of them that might be in their ranks
Make on Rollanz a grim and fierce attack;
Gainst these the count had well enough in hand.
CLVIII
The count Rollanz, when their approach he sees
Is grown so bold and manifest and fierce2125
So long as he’s alive he will not yield.
He sits his horse, which men call Veillantif,
Pricking him well with golden spurs beneath,
69
