CCI
Pagan Arabs out of their ships issue,2810
Then mount upon their horses and their mules,
And canter forth, (nay, what more might they do?)
Their admiral, by whom they all were ruled,
Called up to him Gemalfin, whom he knew:
“I give command of all my hosts to you.”2815
On a brown horse mounted, as he was used,
And in his train he took with him four dukes.
Cantered so far, he came to Sarraguce.
Dismounted on a floor of marble blue,
Where four counts were, who by his stirrup stood;2820
Up by the steps, the palace came into;
To meet him there came running Bramimunde,
Who said to him: “Accursèd from the womb,
That in such shame my sovran lord I lose!”
Fell at his feet, that admiral her took.2825
In grief they came up into Marsile’s room.
AOI.
CCII
King Marsilies, when he sees Baligant,
Calls to him then two Spanish Sarazands:
“Take me by the arms, and so lift up my back.”
One of his gloves he takes in his left hand;2830
Then says Marsile: “Sire, king and admiral,
Quittance I give you here of all my land,
With Sarraguce, and the honour thereto hangs.
Myself I’ve lost; my army, every man.”
He answers him: “Therefore the more I’m sad.2835
No long discourse together may we have;
Full well I know, Charles waits not our attack,
I take the glove from you, in spite of that.”
He turned away in tears, such grief he had.
Down by the steps, out of the palace ran,2840
Mounted his horse, to ’s people gallopped back.
Cantered so far, he came before his band;
91
