Hauberks and helms throw off a dazzling flame,
And blazoned shields, flowered in bright array,1810
Also their spears, with golden ensigns gay.
That Emperour, he canters on with rage,
And all the Franks with wonder and dismay;
There is not one can bitter tears restrain,
And for Rollant they’re very sore afraid.1815
The King has bid them seize that county Guene,
And charged with him the scullions of his train;
The master-cook he’s called, Besgun by name:
“Guard me him well, his felony is plain,
Who in my house vile treachery has made.”1820
He holds him, and a hundred others takes
From the kitchen, both good and evil knaves;
Then Guenè’s beard and both his cheeks they shaved,
And four blows each with their closed fists they gave,
They trounced him well with cudgels and with staves,1825
And on his neck they clasped an iron chain;
So like a bear enchained they held him safe,
On a pack-mule they set him in his shame:
Kept him till Charles should call for him again.
CXXXVIII
High were the peaks and shadowy and grand,1830
The valleys deep, the rivers swiftly ran.
Trumpets they blew in rear and in the van,
Till all again answered that olifant.
That Emperour canters with fury mad,
And all the Franks dismay and wonder have;1835
There is not one but weeps and waxes sad
And all pray God that He will guard Rollant
Till in the field together they may stand;
There by his side they’ll strike as well they can.
But what avail? No good there is in that;1840
They’re not in time; too long have they held back.
60
