Yale Un Prize F 19! UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES YALE UNIVERSITY PRIZE POEM 1907 YALE UNIVERSITY PRIZE POEM 1907 ROLAND AND AUDE A VERSE PLAY IN FIVE ACTS BY CHARLES WASHBURN NICHOLS BELCHERTOWN, MASS. PRESS OF L. H. BLACKMER, 1907 PREFATORY NOTE This poem received the tenth award of the prize offered by Professor Albert Stanburrough Cook to Yale University for the best unpublished verse, the Committee of Award being Professor Edward B. Reed, Professor Charles W. Kent, and Dr. John Erskine. CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY KING CHARLES THE GREAT. ROLAND, his Nephew. OLIVER, Roland's Friend. GANELON, Roland's Stepfather. BISHOP TURPIN. DUKE OF NAYMES, the King's Councilor. GERARD, a Young Hunchback Jongleur ', a Favorite Minstrel of the King. MARSILE, King of Spain. JURFALEU, his Son. BLANCANDRIN, his Messenger. VALDABRUN, his Knight. BRAMIMONDE, his Wife. BERTHA, Roland's Mother, Sister of Charles. AUDE, Oliver's Sister. MARIE, her Chief Maiden. PEERS, BARONS, HERALDS, SOLDIERS, PAYNIM LORDS, COURT LADIES, MAIDENS, AND NUNS. SYNOPSIS OF SCENES ACT I. THE BETROTHAL. Garden of Chapel at Aix. ACT II. GANELON'S MISSION. Charles' camp at Cor dova, Spain. ACT III. GANELON'S TREACHERY. Marsile's Court at Saragossa. ACT IV. SCENE i. ROLAND'S PRIDE. The Pass at Roncevaux. SCENE n. THE DEATH OF ROLAND. A part of the Battle-field. ACT V. THE DEATH OF AUDE. Aude's Chamber at Aix. AUTHOR'S NOTE. The scenes in the second, third, and fourth acts, follow rather closely the story as it is told in the CHANSON DE ROLAND. ROLAND AND AUDE ACT I The garden of the king's chapel hard by the palace at Aix. At the back, seen through the trees, is the chapel wall with a large central door, from which a flight of stone steps leads into the gar den. At the right ', front : , are two marble benches beneath a tree, at the left a fountain. As the curtain rises GERARD is discovered on one of the benches, singing softly to the accompaniment of his vielle : A sunbeam lights her hazel eyes, And strays across her gold-brown hair ; The fairy queen of Avalon Is not so sweet as Aude the Fair. He stops abruptly as ROLAND and OLIVER enter. Oliver is rich ly dressed while Roland wears a hauberk of chain mail. ROLAND. See what a thing it is to be a minstrel ! Canst find another man in all the court That is not arming for the march to Spain ? The lowest stable-hind gets him a sword Or cast-off helm, and bears him like a man. My lady's page puts on a warlike frown, Struts down the hall to gain admiring glances, And boasts of twenty paynims he will kill. But gay Gerard can sit and tune a song ! OLIVER. Each man must have his trade. We cannot all Be fighters ; some must sing the deeds we do. What were the joys of life and love and war, Without the minstrel's song? Is it not so, Gerard ? GERARD. Thanks, gentle Oliver. Thy words Reveal thy wisdom. Truly hast thou said We cannot all be fighters. Neither can We all be wise ! But do not think that I Am quite unconscious of the war, Count Roland. Tell me, what is a paynim like? ROLAND. Why, boy, Don't tell us that you never saw a paynim ! Methinks sweet France has cause enough to know Their manner all too well. A paynim, lad, Is everything a Christian knight is not : Black-bearded creatures, with dark gleaming eyes, Cruel in war but cowardly at heart, Knowing no law of honor or religion. Ah, what a thrill of joy when Durendal Tastes blood and sings a mighty battle-song. A worthy Christian act to rid the world Of vermin such as they, and all brave knights Who wade knee-deep in reeking paynim blood, Good Turpin will absolve from every sin. GERARD. [ dreamily ] I seem to see them now in shining mail, Two mighty armies struggling hand to hand ; The sunlight flashes on the bright blue blades, While high above the hungry vultures wheel, And from the craggy mountain peaks look down Upon the feast of blood. Ah, what a sight ! Almost I would that I could go with you. OUVER. 'Tis not a life for thee, Gerard. Beyond The snowy, cloud-capped Pyrenees there'll be Long weary months of marching to and fro, Fights in the open, or cooped up in towns Whose streets swarm with the hostile paynim brood. ROLAND. We'll drive them, soon enough, before our arms, Back to the utmost bounds of Spain, and then Headlong into the sea. OUVER. Roland , not so ; 'T will be no easy war we have to wage. Sweet France has felt the iron gauntlet grip Of King Marsile ere now ; no man can say He is a coward in the fight. But oft He wins by wiles and treacherous deceit. ROLAND. No fear have I of paynim King Marsile. [ GANEIed, and over/tears Roland's remark. ] GANEI.ON. Well said, my gallant game-cock. Still, I see, My famous stepson longs for fair renown. So eager is he for the paynim blood That all in armor he awaits his bride. ROI.AND [ with a start. ] O Oliver, I quite forgot. 8 OLIVER. I know ; I was about to tell thee, but our talk Quite put it from my mind. My brother knight, When once thou art betrothed to Aude the Fair, My brother thou wilt be indeed. So come, There still is time to doff that suit of mail. GANELON. [ with a sneer. ] There is no need to change. The Lady Aude Will pardon such an eager lover, who, All clad in mail on his betrothal morn, Is burning with desire to meet Marsile. ROLAND. If thou wert not my stepsire, Durendal Would make thee eat those words. OLIVER. Come, Roland, come. GANELON. And were I not thy stepsire, I would give That haughty pride of thine a chance to cool, And give the rest of us a chance to shine. OLIVER. [ Drawing Roland away ] Come, brother, Aude the Fair must not wait long. [ They go out, Canelon chuckling to himself ] ROLAND. [ angrily ] Thou shalt be sorry for thy mirth ere long. [ GERARD, left alone, resumes his practising on the vielle and hums softly to himself} She is the fairest flower that grows, My lovely lady, Aude the Fair. [ He breaks off singing but continues playing as BERTHA and AUDE enter. Aude runs up to Gerard ] AUDE. Gerard ! You're making a new song ! Now don't Deny it, for I heard you. You must sing For L,ady Bertha. GERARD. Till the song is done I cannot sing ; not Lady Aude herself Could drag it from me. Thou shalt hear ere long. 10 AUDE. I want to hear it now. You know, Gerard, This is the happiest morning of my life. You would not disappoint me ? GERARD. [ smiling ] Wait and see. AUDB [ to Bertha ] Gerard will always have his way. But thou, Dear L,ady Bertha, thou wilt grant a wish Of mine ? Oh, such a little wish ! BERTHA. I will ; Ask anything, and if the power is mine To give it thee, it shall be thine. AUDE [ timidly ] I wish To call thee by the name [ She hesitates ] BERTHA. [ encouragingly ] Yes, child. 11 AUDE. The name Of mother. BERTHA. [ drawing her close ] Why, my little girl, I long To have thee call me mother. Know'st thou not I never had a daughter ? Thou shalt be My only girl. I love thee, Atide. AUDE. I have No mother and I long for one to-day ; I fear the great betrothal all alone. BERTHA. Beside me thou shalt stand, so have no fear, And soon my Roland shall be thine alone. AUDE. Ah, long will be the days when he is gone ! Tell me, dear mother, of that happy time When Roland was a boy in Italy. 12 BERTHA. That was a happy time indeed ! L,ong years Have passed since those bright, far-off, golden days When I, a headstrong maid, learned what love means, And fled with Count Milon from sunny Aix. My brother, great King Charles, had formed a plan To wed me to his warrior Ganelon ; But I had seen the brave Milon, and knew That he, and he alone, could give me joy. Noble he was, a fearless foe in war, But gentle, full of love, to all his friends ; And in his veins the blood of heroes flowed, Those northern vikings of the stormy seas, Who fought and loved with the same reckless might, And nothing feared saved cowardly deceit. Angry was Charges when we two slipped away, In secret wedded by the good archbishop, And safely passed the bounds of Italy. AUDE. I would that such a life might be for me ! BERTHA. Dear child, thou little knowest what it means ! Thou canst not picture all the life we led ; Pursued by wrath of Charles we journeyed far, On foot and clothed in rags like beggars twain 13 Who limp from town to town to beg their food. Sheltered in huts and caves we lived along, And Roland came to make the burden light, And love revealed the heights to which we climb If we cast all aside to follow her. What were the hardships of our humble days If only love could last and bless us both ! It could not be, for paynims threatened Rome, And Count Milon went riding to the war, To find an end to all his toil and pain. Then came my brother into Italy When Roland was a lad. Without his aid, What knightly training could I give my son ? We went before the king, and he, because The little lad found favor in his sight, Forgave, on one condition, all my sin. AUDK. And that ? BERTH A. I should be wed to Ganelon. AUDB. Ah, mother ! 14 BERTHA. [ after a pause ] More I need not tell ; thou know'st How Roland has fulfilled his youthful dreams, And keeps the vows which every good knight keeps. AUDE. Ah, more than that he does outshines them all ! No arm like his to wield a Durendal, And make his name a terror to the foe. Victorious in Spain our cause shall be, And nobly will he battle for the right ; But, ah, I shall be fearful till he comes, Crowned with bright fame, to claim me for his bride. GERARD. [ -who has been softly playing on his vielle, now starting up and coming to the side of Aude ] My Lady Aude, I'll go to Spain with him, Watch by his side, and bring him safely home. BERTHA. Gerard ! What could 'st thou do ? Thou dost not know The life that would be thine ! We need thee here; We cannot let him leave us, can we, Aude? 15 AUDE. Not we ! Think of the dreary' hours, Gerard, That we poor women must pass through alone, When all our knights are gone. Thou must stay here And sing us cheery songs, bright roundelays, And tales of happy lovers long ago, To make us smile, and for a time forget The anxious longing. Nay, thou canst not go ! GERARD. Thou would 'st not be so cruel, lady mine ! For all my life I've lived within those walls, Since I was brought to Aix, a captive child Too young to have remembrance of the time Before I came. No mother have I known, Dear lady ; oftentimes the boys would laugh And call me names ; no refuge had I then, No place of comfort, but the chapel yonder. Many a time I've cried myself to sleep Within the organ loft. These later years Have been more happy, for the king is kind. But I would see beyond the Pyrenees, And hear the clash of battle, sword on shield, And be a man, a singer of brave deeds ! Thou'lt not refuse to ask the king this boon For me ? [ GANEI.ON is seen approaching ] 16 AUDE. [smiling] If them wilt bring my Roland home Untouched by paynim spear, I'll ask the boon. GERARD. I'll never leave his side. No paynim spear Shall reach him unawares ; my hero knight ! GANELON. [ aside ] How they all love the arrogant young fool ! [ To Bertha and Aude ] Conie, come my laggard ladies, know you 'not That Charles and Turpin wait. Strange bridal pair ! Here Roland donned his armor for the fray As if for war ; would 'st thou forget as well ? AUDE. Thou wilt be with me, mother ? BERTHA. Yes, my child. [ They go out. Gerard resumes his playing on the marble bench, and practises another stanza of his song~\ 17 O gypsy wind, in love caress The shining halo of her hair ; The spirit of all loveliness Has crowned her queen, my Aude the Fair. GERARD. I could not make a song that would be worthy To sing to Lady Aude. Such as it is, 'Tis done the best that I can do. How can I go and leave her here ? She's kind to me. More kind I never knew nor ever shall. [ He rises and goes toward the chapel steps. The bishop's voice is heard intoning ', and he climbs the steps ] The bishop's voice ! The service will be done. I wish that I could see them ; a brave pair They are to stand together. [ The sound of the organ is heard within. GERARD runs dou>n the steps and stands beside one of the trees ] Lo, the king ! t The great doors are suddenly throu-n open, and the pro cession comes down the stone steps. CHARLES and TURPIN in advance, then ROLAND and AUDE, GANELON and BERTHA, OLIVER and NAYMES, the other peers and their ladies. They scatter and converse with each other ] 18 CHARGES. [ To Roland and Aude. ] Ah, happy pair ! My blessings on you both ! My nephew, thou art doubly fortunate : Thou art a brother now to Oliver, And thou hast won the sweetest bride in France. And thou, fair Aude, art lady to a knight Whose worth and courage brightens all my realm. I hold myself most fortunate to call The I,ady Aude my niece. To-day rejoice ; Forget the path that waits us with the dawn ; To-day we will be happy, free from care. GERARD. A boon, O king ! CHARGES. 'Tis granted, gay Gerard ; Thou hast a wedding song, no doubt, to sing. Tune the vielle ; we'll hear it at the feast. GERARD. It is not that, my king. I long to go With thee and Roland into Spain, to see The battle's shock and sing of warlike deeds. 19 CHARLES. A minstrel in the war ? [ Aude whispers to him ] My Lady Aude, I cannot well refuse thy first request. Come hither, minstrel. Know'st thou not that all My trusted men are knights ? How canst thou then Be our companion on the march, and not Be made a knight ? [ He takes the bow of Gerard's vielle ] This is the weapon thou Shalt wield in Spain. Kneel down, Gerard ; with this Thy sword, I dub thee knight of minstrelsy. [ He touches Gerard across the shoulder with the bou< of the vielle, and then puts a gold chain about his neck ] And here receive the gift of Charles the king. Rise, Sir Gerard, and bear thee as a knight, And sing of war and victories in Spain. To-morrow's dawn will find us on the road. [ Gerard is left speechless, while the king turns to the others ] And now, good bishop, let us to the palace; A goodly feast is toward. Come Naymes, my duke, 20 And all the rest ; prepare ye for the banquet. [ They all go out slowly, leaving Gerard in the same spot, and Roland and Aude upon the marble bench whither they had gone ] AUDE. [ timidly ] Oft have I heard in old romances sung By wandering jongleurs, how noble ladies Have belted on their lovers' swords before They went to war. May I do this for thee, My lord ? ROLAND. [ smiling ] You may, my Aude. [ He looks around and sees Gerard ] Come here, Gerard. The lady Aude would have thee seek my sword . It lies within the palace ; thither run, And bring it here to me. [ Gerard runs out. Roland turns to Aude ] Dear L,ady Aude, Be not cast down because I go to Spain ; The war will not be long. Once we have driven The cowardly paynims back unto the sea, And made them taste submission, we'll return 21 With songs of conquest to our own fair France. No need hast thou for fear ; I shall be safe. Think how my Durendal shall havoc make, And bring sweet France to honor once again. [ GERARD'S voice is heard behind the trees, coming nearer and nearer, singing. They stop to listen ] Steal softly down the garden path, Thou gentle zephyr of the May, For there thou'lt find a fairer flower Than ever blessed thy wand'ring way ; A sunbeam lights her hazel eyes, And strays across her gold-brown hair ; The fairy queen of Avalon Is not so sweet as Aude the Fair. The curving of the lily's throat Can never match my lady's face ; There's not a deer that roams the wood Can equal her in winsome grace. The blushing of the reddest rose Could never with her lips compare, She is the fairest flower that grows, My lovely lady, Aude the Fair. Oh, sing, melodious nightingale, I cannot match my song with thine ; Thy notes alone have power to tell The secrets I would sing in mine. O gypsy wind, in love caress The shining halo of her hair ; The spirit of all loveliness Has crowned her queen, my Aude the Fair. 22 [ At the last lines Gerard has entered with the sword. Roland takes it and gives it to Aude ] AUDE. Thank you, Gerard. I'll not forget that song. [ She turns to belt the sword about Roland, who has thrown back his mantle and is seen still in armor. Gerard, forgotten, turns away and disappears among the trees. AUDB kisses the sword and buckles it on ] Great Durendal ! I kiss thy mystic runes, And pray that never in the hottest fight Thou wilt betray thy lord thy lord and mine ! Ah, Roland, I am envious of your sword ; For well I know the love you bear for it, And how you long to wield it in the fray. Close by your side it goes, while I remain To mourn the passing months in dreary Aix. Go, wield it well, and win you fair renown, But O my Roland, when the strife is o'er, Come quickly, quickly back to Aix and me. [ She clasps him about the neck as the curtain falls ] 23 ACT II Charles 1 camp at Cordova, Spain, a year later. A tempo rary throne is discovered beneath a tree as the curtain rises, and Gerard is seen in the midst of a group of soldiers who are engaged in polishing their armor. A SOLDIER. Sing us a song, Gerard. ANOTHER SOLDIER. Up with thee, lad ; 'Twill make the work seem light. VOICES. Aye, aye, Gerard ! [ GERARD climbs upon the throne and sings ] I sing the song of the soldier's life, The song of war and the battle's strife, The clashing of the spears ; The thrill of the wild, exultant ride On bounding chargers, side by side, The war- shout in our ears. 24 I sing the song of the red camp-fire, The leaping flames that never tire In keeping back the night ; Then tumble up and clatter away, When the trumpet calls at the break of day, And sends us to the fight. We follow the road in sun or rain, Over the mountains into Spain. Dost hear our sabres ring ? Here's death to the foe, and woe betide The paynim country where we ride To serve our lord the king. [ As the song is over, amidst applause, a trumpet is heard, and the king enters, attended by heralds, TURPIN, and NAYMES. The soldiers go out. CHARLES takes his seat on the throne which GERARD has vacated ] CHARLES. Come hither, lad. How likest thou the war ? Methinks thy spirits do not flag, at least. GERARD. Nay, sire ; I love the joy of such a life. CHARLES. Dost never tire and long to be in France ? 25 GERARD. Sometimes I would give anything to be Within the garden- walls at sunny Aix, Singing pangs for Aude the Fair. But then I see The walls of Cordova come crashing down Before our mangonels, and all the paynims Fleeing before our arms, and hear the song Of victory go rolling up to heaven, And then I feel great joy that I am here. CHARLES. Brave lad ! Does he not teach us all a lesson, Good Turpin ? TURPIN. Yea, I would that there were more With such untiring hearts, but few there are Who would not leave Marsile in Saragossa, And hie them back to bask in sunny France. Tell us, Gerard, shall we not take Marsile In triumph back to Aix ? GERARD. Aye, that we must. Ah, what a time there'll be ! I long to see The great procession winding into Aix, And hear the church bells ring above the roar 26 Of shouting, banner- waving crowds, That day Will be reward enough for all our toil. [ A trumpet is heard. A herald of the king enters ] HERAUX Ambassadors from King Marsile, O king. CHARLES. We will receive them here. [ The herald goes out. There is a stir in the group about the king ] Stay, gentle duke, !And thou, good Turpin. Stay and hear the word They bring. Perchance they weary of the war ; And then, Gerard, thy wish will be fulfilled. [ BI.ANCANDRIN enters with other paynim lords. He ad vances before the throne , and bends the knee'] Bl,ANCANDRIN. Great king, I bring thee greetings from Marsile. Blancandrin am I called, and hold the power To treat with thee concerning peace. For much Our valiant king doth long to end the war. 27 Full long enough thou hast laid waste the land, And rendered all of Spain save Saragossa Depopulate. Return, O king, to France ; Marsile will come himself to far-off Aix, And be baptized, and swear his fealty. From thee he'll hold the march of Spain ; where once He was the king, he will become the lord. Rich gifts I bring in token of surrender For thee to carry back to France, where they Shall richly shine, the wonder of all men. CHARLES. Thy words are well. But King Marsile is proud, And I know not if he will be my vassal. What pledges canst thou give that this shall be ? BLANCANDRIN. Thou shalt have hostages of no mean birth My son shall be among them. Other lords Shall send their sons. Thou shalt be satisfied. CHARLES. Thou speakest well. Before my councilors I'll put thy message. Good cheer shalt thou have Before thou goest hence. 28 [ To a herald] Go lead these men To worthy lodgings. Spare no pains to make Their waiting easy. BLANCANDRIN. King, we give thee thanks. [ As they go out, Charles turns to another herald ] CHARGES. Go, herald, summon all my knights and peers. [ The herald goes out, and trumpet-calls are heard immediately ] Thy counsel, Naymes, just as of old, I'll need ; Stay thou at my right hand. [ ROLAND enters, followed by OLIVER and other peers ] Ah, nephew Roland, First at the council just as first in battle ? Come near and stand beside me. [ GANELON enters, and overhearing this, scowls ] Ganelon, We trust to thy advice, so fail us not. 29 [ Peers, barons, and knights croivd in. An open place is left before the throne ] Approach, my peers, and all my barons brave ; Marsile hath sent me gifts, and promises If we return to Aix he'll follow us And be baptized, and swears that he will hold This land of Spain in bonds of fealty. What think ye of the plan ? ROLAND. [ Springing forward] It is not good ! We cannot put our trust in King Marsile. Think ye to put your faith in treachery ? For every paynim is deceitful, nor Will e'er be changed and willingly baptized. We have won all the land save Saragossa Shall we not win that too ? Then let us on, Nor trust in King Marsile, but lay the siege Before his very walls, and not give o'er Till Saragossa's towers fall to the ground ! [ A silence. Charles pulls at his beard, and does not answer. Ganelon conies slowly forward ] GANKIXJN. Mere words of braggery ! It is not meet That wise men hearken to a reckless fool. 30 Nay, Roland, did I mention thee? I say, O king, that he who longs to climb the towers Of mighty Saragossa is too proud. The words of King Marsile are surely true. Wherefore should we court death in needless ways ? CHARGES. What dost thou counsel, Naymes ? NAYMES. The wisest words Are those of Ganelon. We have subdued The paynim king, and wasted all his land ; We needs must hearken to his message now. For know, O peers, and you, Count Roland, that He offers hostages, the sons of lords Whom he holds dearest. L,et us end the war. A PEER. Aye, let us end the war. VOICES. His words are wise. CHARGES. You counsel well. 'Tis best to end the war. 31 Now must I send some warrior to Marsile, To make the terms and take his hostages. ROLAND. [ impetuously ] Sire, let me go ! OLIVER. [ restraining him ] Nay, Roland, thou shalt not. Thou would'st provoke the king, and lose thy life. I will be messenger for thee, my sire. CHARLES. Nay, neither of you shall go, nor any peer. NAYMBS. If thou wilt give me leave, O sire, to go, I'll carry thy commands to King Marsile. CHARLES. Not thou, duke Naymes. I need thy counsel here. TURPIN. Give me the task, King Charles. CHARLES. Nay, that were ill 32 To send thee, Turpin, to the pay mm court. Some baron must ye choose. ROLAND. I pray, O king, That thou send Ganelon. VOICES. Aye, Ganelon ! CHARLES. The choice is good. Come hither, Ganelon. GANBLON. [ unth wrath ] Roland, I never shall forget this day ! Thou thoughtest to be rid of thy stepsire ; And since the king commands I needs must go. But everlasting hatred here I swear To thee and all who hold thee dear. CHARLES. Thy wrath, Count Ganelon, availeth naught, for thou Must surely go. GANELON. Yea, that I know full well. 33 I needs must go, nor ever shall return. Guard well my son, thy nephew ; all my lands I leave to him, when he becomes a man. Never again shall I behold him here. CHARLKS. Be not so fearful, count. Here is my glove ; Take it, and bear our words to King Marsile. GANELON. [ Taking it, and turning to Roland ] Obey I must ; but should I come again, Thou fool, I shall revenge myself on thee. ROLAND. I fear no idle threats. If thou'rt afraid To bear the message, give it unto me. GANKLON. Nay, go I shall ; beware what I shall do. [ Roland laughs and shrugs his shoulders ] GANKLON. [ In a rage against Roland ] Thou mock'st me, dost thou ? Fool, thou little know'st 34 What woe is yet in store for thee ! Thou shalt Repent thee bitterly of thy misdeed. Thou mock'st me ? God ! That it should come to this ! For all that thou hast done to me this day I swear thou shalt repay a thousand fold. Thy blood shall be the price of this day's sin. Curses upon thy head ! Nay, stay me not ; I hate you all ! Revenge ! I'll have revenge ! Curtain. 35 ACT III A large room in Marsile's court at Saragassa. Two thrones beneath a canopy. At the back, windows on a balcony over looking the street. As the curtain rises, MARSILE and BRAM- IMONDK are discovered upon the thrones, surrounded by their court, including JURFALBU, their son, VAX.DABRUN, and other paynim lords. MARSILE. Blancandrin should be here erenow. I wait, In anxious hope, the outcome of our plot. VALDABRUN. A cunning plan it was, sire, all agree. MARSILK. It was not badly done, but much I doubt That Charles of France will do as I suggest. Perchance he trusteth not our promises. JURFALKU. And well he may not ! Should we yield our faith, And go to France and be baptized ? Not we. Too much we love our Spain and hate the Christians. MARSILK. Aye, prince, this sunny Spain of ours must not 36 Be subject unto Christian France. But we Are in sore straits ; our very life depends Upon the answer of King Charles. L A horn is heard without ] 'Tis come ! Quick, Valdabrun, see who are there without. [ Valdabrun goes to the windows in the back, and looks out ] VALDABRUN. Blancandrin and a bearded Christian knight Are just alighting at the gate. MARSIIvB. Mahound, Grant us the answer we desire ! [ A herald enters ] HERALD. O king, Blancandrin has returned. MARSILB. Bid him attend Us here at once. Be quick ! [ The herald hurries out ] 37 **PT.-4* o^y oi3lo f Now shall we know Whether we live or die. Come hither, son ; Stay quietly at my right hand, nor make One sign to bring suspicion on our cause. [ BLANCANDRIN and GANBIXW enter ] BLANCANDRIN. Thy will, O sire, has been fulfilled. King Charles Received thy message, but he did not deign To give his answer. Ganelon he sends, A noble baron, who will make reply. MA RSI I.E. Thou hast done well. And now, baron of France, We wait to hear thy word. GANRI.ON. Greeting, O king, From Charles, my sovran, in the name of God. This is the answer that I bring to thee : If thou wilt go to Aix and be baptized, One half of Spain is thine to hold in fief. The other half will be the fief of Roland- No prouder man than he in all the world. I give thee joy in such a mighty neighbor ! If thou refuse, he will lay waste thy towers, And take thee bound to Aix to die in shame. 38 [ Marsile rises in wrath , and is about to hurl his javelin at Ganelon, who draws his sword ] MARSILE. How didst thou dare to say this unto rne ! BRAMIMONDE. [ Rising and putting her hand upon Marsile 's arm ] My lord, act not so rashly. Let him speak. He is a noble Frank. Thou shouldst give ear Unto his words if thou wouldst keep thy life. GANKIX>N. [ Holding up his sword ] My bonny blade, right dearly shall they win My death, while thou art strong and true to me. Thou canst not keep me from my speech, O king. BRAMIMONDE. My lord, let me prevail. Be thou not wroth. MARSII.E. [ seating himself ] Forgive me, Ganelon, I was too quick. Thy message caused me grief, for much I hoped To keep the whole of Spain. Right well I know 39 That anger will not profit me in this. Tell me of Charles. Hath he not now great age ? Long years he has waged war in many lands, And many kings swept down from off their thrones. Is he not old ? Will he not ever cease ? GANBI.ON. King Charles is not so old, and if he were, The greatness of his spirit would suffice To keep him foremost among valiant men. No minstrel am I, nor have I the words With which to give him honor worth his fame. Wisdom and bounty both are his, and power ; But while his nephew Roland wins his praise Ceaseless will be the conquests, for I know No man more fearless, nor so proud of heart. He and his peers are mighty, and King Charles Puts all his trust in them. MARSILE. Perchance I may, By going into battle with my lords, Bring Roland to his death. My knights are brave, Nor fear they any foe. With Roland dead I could hold Spain, and hold it all alone. 40 Be not so foolish ; thou would 'st surely fail. But send thy hostages to France with me, And then [ He pauses ] MARSILE. Thou hast no liking for this count ? GANBIX>N. I hate him as I love my only son. If he were gone, my son would have more favor, And I should not be made a thing of scorn. MARSIIN. Upon my sword and all its sacred relics, I swear that this shall happen as I said. MARSILB. [ To his attendants ] 42 Bring me the sacred book. [ They bring it to him ] Upon this book, The holy laws of great Mahound the prophet, I swear that I will strive with this proud knight Beneath the mountain walls until he dies. [ Jurfaleu whispers to Marsile, who nods his head, and approaches Ganelon with a splendid sword ] Sir Ganelon, I bring thee proof to show The prince is no less grateful than the king. This sword is thine, my own bright studded sword, If thou wilt put Count Roland in our power. GANBLON. With such a gift as this, I could not choose But act as you desire. [ Valdabrun approaches with a helmet ] VAI,DABIIUN. Sir Ganelon, Wilt thou accept this helm, the best in Spain ? 'Tis small return for all that thou hast done, But I must give thee what I have, to show The joy thou makest me to feel this day. 43 GANKI..-: UK. AT