The Harvard Classics-Epic and Saga Part 22

They p.r.i.c.k them hard with slackened rein; Drive each at other with might and main.

Their bucklers are in fragments flung, Their hauberks rent, their girths unstrung; With saddles turned, they earthward rolled.

A hundred thousand in tears behold.

CCx.x.xVIII

Both cavaliers to earth are gone, Both rise and leap on foot anon.

Strong is Pinabel, swift and light; Each striketh other, unhorsed they fight; With golden-hilted swords, they deal Fiery strokes on the helms of steel.

Trenchant and fierce is their every blow.

The Franks look on in wondrous woe.

"O G.o.d," saith Karl, "Thy judgment show."

CCx.x.xIX

"Yield thee, Thierry," said Pinabel.

"In love and faith will I serve thee well, And all my wealth to thy feet will bring, Win Ganelon's pardon from the king."

"Never," Thierry in scorn replied, "Shall thought so base in my bosom bide!

G.o.d betwixt us this day decide."

CCXL

"Ah, Pinabel!" so Thierry spake, "Thou art a baron of stalwart make, Thy knighthood known to every peer,-- Come, let us cease this battle here.

With Karl thy concord shall be won, But on Ganelon be justice done; Of him henceforth let speech be none."

"No," said Pinabel; "G.o.d forefend!

My kinsman I to the last defend; Nor will I blench for mortal face,-- Far better death than such disgrace."

Began they with their glaves anew The gold-encrusted helms to hew; Towards heaven the fiery sparkles flew.

They shall not be disjoined again, Nor end the strife till one be slain.

CCXLI

Pinabel, lord of Sorrence's keep, Smote Thierry's helm with stroke so deep The very fire that from it came Hath set the prairie round in flame; The edge of steel did his forehead trace Adown the middle of his face; His hauberk to the centre clave.

G.o.d deigned Thierry from death to save.

CCXLII

When Thierry felt him wounded so, For his bright blood flowed on the gra.s.s below, He smote on Pinabel's helmet brown, Cut and clave to the nasal down; Dashed his brains from forth his head, And, with stroke of prowess, cast him dead.

Thus, at a blow, was the battle won: "G.o.d," say the Franks, "hath this marvel done."

CCXLIII

When Thierry thus was conqueror, He came the Emperor Karl before.

Full fifty barons were in his train, Duke Naimes, and Ogier the n.o.ble Dane, Geoffrey of Anjou and William of Blaye.

Karl clasped him in his arms straightway With skin of sable he wiped his face; Then cast it from him, and, in its place, Bade him in fresh attire be drest.

His armor gently the knights divest; On an Arab mule they make him ride: So returns he, in joy and pride.

To the open plain of Aix they come, Where the kin of Ganelon wait their doom.

CCXLIV

Karl his dukes and his counts addressed: "Say, what of those who in bondage rest-- Who came Count Ganelon's plea to aid, And for Pinabel were bailsmen made?"

"One and all let them die the death."

And the king to Basbrun, his provost, saith "Go, hang them all on the gallows tree.

By my beard I swear, so white to see, If one escape, thou shalt surely die."

"Mine be the task," he made reply.

A hundred men-at-arms are there: The thirty to their doom they bear.

The traitor shall his guilt atone, With blood of others and his own.

CCXLV

The men of Bavaria and Allemaine, Norman and Breton return again, And with all the Franks aloud they cry, That Gan a traitor's death shall die.

They bade be brought four stallions fleet; Bound to them Ganelon, hands and feet: Wild and swift was each savage steed, And a mare was standing within the mead; Four grooms impelled the coursers on,-- A fearful ending for Ganelon.

His every nerve was stretched and torn, And the limbs of his body apart were borne; The bright blood, springing from every vein, Left on the herbage green its stain.

He died a felon and recreant: Never shall traitor his treason vaunt.

CCXLVI

Now was the Emperor's vengeance done, And he called to the bishops of France anon With those of Bavaria and Allemaine.

"A n.o.ble captive is in my train.

She hath hearkened to sermon and homily, And a true believer in Christ will be; Baptize her so that her soul have grace."

They say, "Let ladies of n.o.ble race, At her christening, be her sponsors vowed."

And so there gathered a mighty crowd.

At the baths of Aix was the wondrous scene-- There baptized they the Spanish queen; Julienne they have named her name.

In faith and truth unto Christ she came.

CCXLVII

When the Emperor's justice was satisfied, His mighty wrath did awhile subside.

Queen Bramimonde was a Christian made, The day pa.s.sed on into night's dark shade; As the king in his vaulted chamber lay, Saint Gabriel came from G.o.d to say, "Karl, thou shalt summon thine empire's host, And march in haste to Bira's coast; Unto Impha city relief to bring, And succor Vivian, the Christian king.

The heathens in siege have the town essayed And the shattered Christians invoke thine aid."

Fain would Karl such task decline.

"G.o.d! what a life of toil is mine!"

He wept; his h.o.a.ry beard he wrung.

So ends the lay Turoldus sung.

THE DESTRUCTION OF Da DERGA'S HOSTEL