Said Blancandrin: "The Franks are noble, but Those Dukes, those Counts harm much their lord, who give To him such counsels, wronging him and all." Ganelon answered: "No man, save Rolland, Know I, who should this blame incur; it was But yestermorn, the King sat in the shade, When Rolland came before him, all encased In glittering arms, fresh from the siege and sack Of Carcasonne, holding an apple red; And thus his uncle greeted: 'Sire, behold! I lay the crowns of all Kings at your feet.' Swift punishment should overtake such pride, For ev'ry day he blindly runs to death. Were he but slain, all lands might rest in peace." Aoi. XXXI. Blancandrin said: "Most cruel is Rolland Who makes all nations cry for mercy thus, And will o'er all the lands his power impose. Upon what people doth he then rely For such attempt?" Ganelon said: "The French!... They love him so, they fail him ne'er in aught. Lavish is he of gifts: Silver and gold, Mules, chargers, silken robes and garnitures, He gives the King himself all that he craves; From here to the far East, all lands must fall!" Aoi. XXXII. Blancandrin with Count Ganelon rode on, Until together had they pledged their faith To snare Rolland and lead him to his death. Thus on they rode through vales and mountain-paths, Till Sarraguce was reached. Beneath a yew They lighted: a faldstool by shady pines O'erhung, was spread with Alexandrine silk. There sat the King who ruled all Spain, and stood Around him twenty thousand Saracens, Who neither spoke nor breathed, to hear the news; And lo! came Blancandrin with Ganelon. Aoi. XXXIII. Blancandrin stepped before the Pagan King With Ganelon the Count held by the wrist. Thus to Marsile he said: "Mohammed save The King! Apollo, too, whose holy law We keep. We bore your message to Carl'magne; Both hands he lifted, praying to his God; No other answer gave.--He sends you here One of his noble Barons, a rich Frank. Learn from his lips if it be peace or war." Responds Marsile: "Then let him speak. We hear!" Aoi. XXXIV. Then Ganelon, who well had weighed his thoughts, Begins to speak as one of knowledge vast, And says unto the King: "By God be saved, The Glorious God we must adore! Carl'magne The Baron, sends his message to Marsile: The holy Christian Faith if you receive, One half of Spain he grants to you in fief. These terms refuse, and your fair Sarraguce He will besiege, and drag you forth in chains To Aix, his royal city, there to meet A felon's doom."--Quivering with rage and fear, The King Marsile, who held a gold-winged dart, Aims it at him; but others stayed his hand. Aoi. XXXV.