The King Marsile turned pale, and full of wrath, Brandished the shaft of his winged dart on high. Ganelon saw, laid hand upon his sword, And quick unsheathed two fingers' breadth of blade, Saying: "Sword of mine you are most fair and bright; As long as by me borne in this King's court, Never shall say the Emperor of France Ganelon died alone in foreign land, Ere a high price for you the best have paid!" The Pagans cry in haste: "Check this affray." Aoi. XXXVI. The wisest Pagans urged the wrathful King, Till, yielding, on his throne he has resumed His seat. The Kalif said: "Great wrong you brought Upon us, menacing to strike the Frank. You should have hearkened to his words." "This wrong," Said Ganelon, "I calmly will endure; But for the gold that God hath made all wealth Stored in this land, I would not leave untold, While I have power of speech, the message sent By Carle, the mighty Emperor, through me His messenger, to thee his mortal foe." Ganelon on the ground his mantle dropped Of Alexandrine silk, and richly lined With zibelline; Blancandrin took it up: But from his sword the Count would never part; And his right hand still grasps the golden hilt. The Pagans say:--"Behold a Baron true!" Aoi. XXXVII. Then Ganelon strode nearer to the King And said:--"All idle is this wrath of yours. This is the message of King Carle of France; Hear his command:--"Receive the Christian law"-- One half of Spain he grants to you in fief, And to Rolland, his nephew, he will give The other half. (A haughty partner he Will prove.) To this agreement should you not Consent, 'gainst Sarraguce his host will lay The siege; by force you will be tak'n and bound, And brought to Aix, the royal seat. Hope not To ride on palfrey, nor on steed, on mule Female or male;--on a vile beast of burden You shall be thrown, and doomed to have your head Struck off.--Behold the Brief our Emp'ror sends!" With his right hand he gives it to the King. Aoi. XXXVIII. White with exceeding wrath, the King Marsile Has brok'n the seal, let fall the wax on earth, And, glancing on the Brief, has read the script: "I learn from Carle who holds France in his sway, That I should bear in mind his ire and grief: Bazan--Basile, his brother, they whose heads I took on Mount Haltoie, his anger's cause. If I my body's life would save, to him The Kalif, my good uncle, I must send, Or else can he ne'er be my friend."--Then spake To King Marsile his son:--"This Ganelon," Said he, "speaks madly, and such wrong hath done, That he should live no more. Now give him up To me, that I to him quick justice deal!" Ganelon, hearing this, unsheathed his sword, And set his back against a branching pine. Aoi. XXXIX.