Page:The Song of Roland.djvu/39

 Your sister’s hand in marriage have I ta’en; And I’ve a son, there is no prettier swain: Baldwin, men say he shews the knightly strain. To him I leave my honours and domain. Care well for him; he’ll look for me in vain.” Answers him Charles: “Your heart is too humane. When I command, time is to start amain.” AOI.

Then says the King: “Guenès, before me stand; And take from me the glove, also the wand. For you have heard, you’re chosen by the Franks, “Sire,” answers Guenes, “all this is from Rollanz; I’ll not love him, so long as I’m a man, Nor Oliver, who goes at his right hand; The dozen peers, for they are of his band, All I defy, as in your sight I stand.” Then says the King: “Over intolerant. Now certainly you go when I command.” “And go I can; yet have I no warrant; Basile had none nor his brother Basant.”

His right hand glove that Emperour holds out; But the count Guenes elsewhere would fain be found; When he should take, it falls upon the ground. Murmur the Franks: “God! What may that mean now? By this message great loss shall come about. “Lordings,” says Guene, “You’ll soon have news enow.”

“Now,” Guenès said, “give me your orders, Sire;