Page:The Song of Roland.djvu/134

 “My lords barons, beforehand canter ye, All my columns together shall you lead; But of the best I’ll keep beside me three: One is of Turks; the next of Ormaleis; And the third is the Giants of Malpreis. And Occiant’s, they’ll also stay with me, Until with Charles and with the Franks they meet. That Emperour, if he combat with me, Must lose his head, cut from his shoulders clean; He may be sure naught else for him’s decreed.” AOI.

Great are the hosts, and all the columns fair, No peak nor vale nor cliff between them there. Thicket nor wood, nor ambush anywhere; Across the plain they see each other well. Says Baligant: “My pagan tribes adverse, Battle to seek, canter ye now ahead!” Carries the ensign Amboires of Oluferne; Pagans cry out, by Preciuse they swear. And the Franks say: “Great hurt this day you’ll get!” And very loud “Monjoie!” they cry again. That Emperour has bid them sound trumpets; And the olifant sounds over all its knell. The pagans say: “Carlun’s people are fair. Battle we’ll have, bitter and keenly set.” AOI.

Great is that plain, and wide is that country; Their helmets shine with golden jewellery, Also their sarks embroidered and their shields, And the ensigns fixed on all their burnished spears. The trumpets sound, their voice is very clear, And the olifant its echoing music speaks. Then the admiral, his brother calleth he, ’Tis Canabeus, the king of Floredee,