Page:The Song of Roland.djvu/114

 Clear is that day, and the sun radiant. Out of his barge issues their admiral, Espaneliz goes forth at his right hand, Seventeen kings follow him in a band, Counts too, and dukes; I cannot tell of that. Where in a field, midway, a laurel stands, On the green grass they spread a white silk mat, Set a fald-stool there, made of olifant; Sits him thereon the pagan Baligant, And all the rest in rows about him stand. The lord of them speaks before any man: “Listen to me, free knights and valiant! Charlès the King, the Emperour of the Franks, Shall not eat bread, save when that I command. Throughout all Spain great war with me he’s had; I will go seek him now, into Douce France, I will not cease, while I’m a living man, Till be slain, or fall between my hands.” Upon his knee his right-hand glove he slaps.

He is fast bound by all that he has said. He will not fail, for all the gold neath heav’n, But go to Aix, where Charlè’s court is held: His men applaud, for so they counsellèd. After he called two of his chevaliers, One Clarifan, and the other Clarïen: “You are the sons of king Maltraïen, Freely was wont my messages to bear. You I command to Sarraguce to fare. Marsiliun on my part you shall tell Against the Franks I’m come to give him help, Find I their host, great battle shall be there; Give him this glove, that’s stitched with golden thread, On his right hand let it be worn and held; This little wand of fine gold take as well,