CCXXV
The tenth column is of barons of France,
Five score thousand of our best capitans;
Lusty of limb, and proud of countenance,3085
Snowy their heads are, and their beards are blanched,
In doubled sarks, and in hauberks they’re clad,
Girt on their sides Frankish and Spanish brands
And noble shields of divers cognisance.3090
Soon as they mount, the battle they demand,
“Monjoie” they cry. With them goes Charlemagne.
Gefreid d’Anjou carries that oriflamme;
Saint Peter’s ’twas, and bare the name Roman,
But on that day Monjoie, by change, it gat.3095
CCXXVI
That Emperour down from his horse descends;
To the green grass, kneeling, his face he bends.
Then turns his eyes towards the Orient,
Calls upon God with heartiest intent:
“Very Father, this day do me defend,3100
Who to Jonas succour didst truly send
Out of the whale’s belly, where he was pent;
And who didst spare the king of Niniven,
And Daniel from marvellous torment
When he was caged within the lions’ den;3105
And three children, all in a fire ardent:
Thy gracious Love to me be here present.
In Thy Mercy, if it please Thee, consent
That my nephew Rollant I may avenge.”
When he had prayed, upon his feet he stepped,3110
With the strong mark of virtue signed his head;
Upon his swift charger the King mounted
While Jozerans and Neimes his stirrup held;
He took his shield, his trenchant spear he kept;
Fine limbs he had, both gallant and well set;3115
Clear was his face and filled with good intent.
Vigorously he cantered onward thence.
100
