Naimes after came--no better ever was A vassal in the court. He said to Carle: "You hear him; greatly wroth is Count Rolland; The rear guard is assigned to his command; No baron have you that with him would make Exchange. Give him the bow and your hand has bent, And look for those who best may lend him help." Carle gives the bow which Count Rolland receives. Aoi. LXIV. The Emperor calls to Rolland and says:-- "Fair sire, my nephew, truly you must know Half of my army will I leave with you; Keep them; in their good help your safety lies." Then said the Count:--"Of this will I do naught! May God confound me, ere my race I shame; But twenty thousand valiant knights I keep! Through the defiles you can in safety pass And fear no harm from man while yet I live." Aoi. LXV. Rolland sits on his steed, and nigh him rides His comrade Olivier. There came Gerin, Gerier the brave, Othon and Berengier; There came Sansun, Anseis the fierce; there came Also Gerard de Roussillon the old, Together with the _Gascuin_ Engelier. The Archbishop said:--"I, by my head, will go!" "--And I with you," exclaimed the Count Gualtier; "Rolland's own man am I, and follow him!" From all are chosen twenty thousand knights. Aoi. LXVI. The Count Rolland calls up Gualtier de l'Hum: "One thousand Franks of France, our land, array, And with them cover heights and passes, that The Emperor may lose none of his host." Responds Gualtier:--"This am I bound to do For you."--Forthwith one thousand Franks of France O'errun each height and pass.--None shall descend Despite ill news, ere seven hundred swords Unsheathe. That very day King Almaris Who rules Belferne, met them with battle fierce. Aoi. LXVII. High are the mounts, the valleys murky-dark-- The rocks are black, the gorges terrible. The French toiled through them painfully; their march Was heard for fifteen leagues; then the Great land Reaching, they viewed Gascuigne, their lord's estate, And sweet remembrance felt of honors, fiefs, Of lovely maidens and of noble wives: Not one is there but weeps from tenderness; But more than all is Carle distressed; he mourns His nephew left in the defiles of Spain.... By pity moved he cannot choose but weep. Aoi. LXVIII.