CCLXXXIV
Then said Tierri: “Bold art thou, Pinabel,
Thou’rt great and strong, with body finely bred;3900
For vassalage thy peers esteem thee well:
Of this battle let us now make an end!
With Charlemagne I soon will have thee friends;
To Guenelun such justice shall be dealt
Day shall not dawn but men of it will tell.”3905
“Please the Lord God, not so!” said Pinabel.
“I would sustain the cause of my kindred
No mortal man is there from whom I’ve fled;
Rather I’ld die than hear reproaches said.”
Then with their swords began to strike again3910
Upon those helms that were with gold begemmed
Into the sky the bright sparks rained and fell.
It cannot be that they be sunderèd,
Nor make an end, without one man be dead.
AOI.
CCLXXXV
He’s very proof, Pinabel of Sorence,3915
Tierri he strikes, on ’s helmet of Provence,
Leaps such a spark, the grass is kindled thence;
Of his steel brand the point he then presents,
On Tierri’s brow the helmet has he wrenched
So down his face its broken halves descend;3920
And his right cheek in flowing blood is drenched;
And his hauberk, over his belly, rent.
God’s his warrant, Who death from him prevents.
AOI.
CCLXXXVI
Sees Tierris then that in the face he’s struck,
On grassy field runs clear his flowing blood;3925
Strikes Pinabel on ’s helmet brown and rough,
To the nose-piece he’s broken it and cut,
And from his head scatters his brains in th’ dust;
Brandishes him on th’ sword, till dead he’s flung.
Upon that blow is all the battle won.3930
Franks cry aloud: “God hath great virtue done.
126
