Page:The Song of Roland.djvu/78

 Held Halteclere, with blood its steel was red, By virtue great to strike that pagan went, Brandished his blade, the Sarrazin upset; The Adversaries of God his soul bare thence. Next he has slain the duke Alphaïen, And sliced away Escababi his head, And has unhorsed some seven Arabs else; No good for those to go to war again. Then said Rollanz: “My comrade shews anger, So in my sight he makes me prize him well; More dear by Charles for such blows are we held.” Aloud he’s cried: “Strike on, the chevaliers!” AOI.

From the other part a pagan Valdabron. Warden he’d been to king Marsilion, And lord, by sea, of four hundred dromonds; No sailor was but called his name upon; Jerusalem he’d taken by treason, Violated the Temple of Salomon, The Partiarch had slain before the fonts. He’d pledged his oath by county Guenelon, Gave him his sword, a thousand coins thereon. He sate his horse, which he called Gramimond, Never so swift flew in the air falcon; He’s pricked him well, with sharp spurs he had on, Going to strike e’en that rich Duke, Sanson; His shield has split, his hauberk has undone, The ensign’s folds have through his body gone, Dead from the hilt out of his seat he’s dropt: “Pagans, strike on, for well we’ll overcome!” “God!” say the Franks, “Grief for a brave baron!” AOI.

The count Rollanz, when Sansun dead he saw, You may believe, great grief he had therefor.