Again the Pagan:--"I am wonder-struck On knowing Carle so old and so white-haired! Methinks he passed two hundred years; by arms He won so many lands--so many wounds In battle he received from trenchant swords! So many powerful kings on battle-fields Conquered or slew!--When will he cease to war?" "--Never!"--said Ganelon, "while lives Rolland: From here to farthest east no knight his peer E'er lived: his comrade too, Count Olivier, Is brave; and the twelve Peers, so dear to Carle, The van-guard make of twenty thousand knights. Carle may have peace, and fears no living man!" Aoi. XLIV. "Fair Sire," said King Marsile to Ganelon, "Than mine no fairer people can you see: Four hundred thousand knights I can array In combat 'gainst King Carle and 'gainst his Franks."-- Ganelon says:--"The time has not yet come, Yea, and great loss your people then will have. But leave this folly, and to wisdom hold; Offer the King of treasures such a store That all the French will marvel at the gift. For twenty hostages that you will send, Back to Sweet France will Carle ere long repair. His rear-guard, notice well, will rest behind: There will Rolland, his nephew, be, I trow, With Olivier the brave and courteous knight. Trust to my counsel and both Counts are doomed, Nay, Carle shall see his lofty pride cast down And never more shall covet war with you." Aoi. XLV. [Thus King Marsile] said:--"Fair sire Ganelon, What means have I to kill the Count Rolland?" Ganelon answered:--"This can I well say: The King will reach the wider pass of Sizre And leave his rear behind, where great Rolland Eke Olivier, whom both he greatly trusts, Will be the chiefs of twenty thousand Franks. On these your hundred thousand Pagans throw, And let them straightway make an onset fierce: Stricken and slain shall be the men of France; I say not that of yours none shall be slain, But follow up this fight with like attack, And Count Rolland cannot escape them both, Then will you deeds of chivalry achieve, And free your life from war for evermore." Aoi. XLVI. "Who could contrive that there Rolland should die, Would strike off Carle's right arm. Then on the field That wond'rous host in death shall lie. No more Thereafter could King Carle such forces raise, And the Great Land at last would rest in peace." Marsile, this hearing, kissed him on the neck, And then began his treasures to display. Aoi. XLVII. Exclaimed Marsile:--"What further [shall I say?] No good adviser he of faith unsure. Swear if Rolland be there that he shall die!" Thus answered Ganelon:--"Your will be done." Upon the relics of his sword Murgleis The treason swore; thus forfeited himself. Aoi.