Part 2 (1/2)

”My cavaliers,” he began anew, ”Choose of my marches a baron true, Before King Marsil my best to do.”

”Be it, then,” said Roland, ”my stepsire Gan, In vain ye seek for a meeter man.”

The Franks exclaim, ”He is worth the trust, So it please the king it is right and just.”

Count Ganelon then was with anguish wrung, His mantle of fur from his neck he flung, Stood all stark in his silken vest, And his grey eyes gleamed with a fierce unrest Fair of body and large of limb, All in wonderment gazed on him.

”Thou madman,” thus he to Roland cried, ”What may this rage against me betide?

I am thy stepsire, as all men know, And thou doom'st me on hest like this to go; But so G.o.d my safe return bestow, I promise to work thee scathe and strife Long as thou breathest the breath of life.”

”Pride and folly!” said Roland, then.

”Am I known to wreck of the threats of men?

But this is work for the sagest head.

So it please the king, I will go instead.”

XXI

”In _my_ stead?--never, of mine accord.

Thou art not my va.s.sal nor I thy lord.

Since Karl commands me his hest to fill, Unto Saragossa ride forth I will; Yet I fear me to wreak some deed of ill, Thereby to slake this pa.s.sion's might.”

Roland listened, and laughed outright.

XXII

At Roland's laughter Count Ganelon's pain Was as though his bosom were cleft in twain.

He turned to his stepson as one distraught: ”I do not love thee,” he said, ”in aught; Thou hast false judgment against me wrought.

O righteous Emperor, here I stand To execute your high command.”

XXIII

”Unto Saragossa I needs must go;-- Who goeth may never return, I know;-- Yet withal, your sister is spouse of mine, And our son--no fairer of mortal line-- Baldwin bids to be goodly knight; I leave him my honors and fiefs of right.

Guard him--no more shall he greet my sight”

Saith Karl, ”Thou art over tender of heart.

Since I command it, thou shalt depart.”

XXIV

”Fair Sir Gan,” the Emperor spake, ”This my message to Marsil take: He shall make confession of Christ's belief, And I yield him, full half of Spain in fief; In the other half shall Count Roland reign.

If he choose not the terms I now ordain, I will march unto Saragossa's gate, Besiege and capture the city straight, Take and bind him both hands and feet, Lead him to Aix, to my royal seat, There to be tried and judged and slain, Dying a death of disgrace and pain.

I have sealed the scroll of my command.

Deliver it into the heathen's hand.”

XXV

”Gan,” said the Emperor, ”draw thou near: Take my glove and my baton here; On thee did the choice of thy fellows fall.”

”Sire, 'twas Roland who wrought it all.

I shall not love him while life may last, Nor Olivier his comrade fast, Nor the peers who cherish and prize him so,-- Gage of defiance to all I throw.”

Saith Karl, ”Thine anger hath too much sway.