Choose now for me eleven more baruns,
So I may fight those dozen companions.”
First before all there answers Falfarun;
—Brother he was to King Marsiliun—880
“Fair sir nephew, go you and I at once
Then verily this battle shall be done;
The rereward of the great host of Carlun,
It is decreed we deal them now their doom.”
AOI.
LXXI
King Corsablis is come from the other part,885
Barbarian, and steeped in evil art.
He’s spoken then as fits a good vassal,
For all God’s gold he would not seem coward.
Hastes into view Malprimis of Brigal,
Faster than a horse, upon his feet can dart,890
Before Marsile he cries with all his heart:
“My body I will shew at Rencesvals;
Find I Rollanz, I’ll slay him without fault.”
LXXII
An admiral is there of Balaguet;
Clear face and proud, and body nobly bred;895
Since first he was upon his horse mounted,
His arms to bear has shewn great lustihead;
In vassalage he is well famousèd;
Christian were he, he’d shewn good baronhead.
Before Marsile aloud has he shouted:900
“To Rencesvals my body shall be led;
Find I Rollanz, then is he surely dead,
And Oliver, and all the other twelve;
Franks shall be slain in grief and wretchedness.
Charles the great is old now and doted,905
Weary will be and make no war again;
Spain shall be ours, in peace and quietness.”
King Marsilies has heard and thanks him well.
AOI.
30
