And still of Roland’s deeds he sung, While Norman shouts responsive rung, As high in air his lance he flung, With well directed might; Back came the lance into his hand, Like urchin’s ball, or juggler’s wand, And twice again, at his command, Whirled it’s unerring flight.-- While doubting whether skill or charm Had thus inspired the minstrel’s arm, The Saxons saw the wondrous dart Fixed in their standard-bearer’s heart. Now thrice aloft his sword he threw, ’Midst sparkling sunbeams dancing, And downward thrice the weapon flew, Like meteor o’er the evening dew, From summer sky swift glancing: And while amazement gasped for breath, Another Saxon groaned in death. More wonders yet!--on signal made, With mane erect, and eye-balls flashing, The well-taught courser rears his head, His teeth in ravenous fury gnashing; He snorts--he foams--and upward springs-- Plunging he fastens on the foe, And down his writhing victim flings, Crushed by the wily minstrel’s blow. Thus seems it to the hostile band Enchantment all, and fairy land. Fain would I leave the rest unsung:-- The Saxon ranks, to madness stung, Headlong rushed with frenzied start, Hurling javelin, mace, and dart; No shelter from the iron shower Sought Taillefer in that sad hour; Yet still he beckoned to the field, ‘Frenchmen, come on.--the Saxons yield-- Strike quick--strike home--in Roland’s name-- For William’s glory--Harold’s shame.’ Then pierced with wounds, stretched side by side, The minstrel and his courser died.” The charge of Taillefer roused the mettle of both parties. “Forthwith arose the noise and cry of war, and on either side the people put themselves in motion.” “Some were striking, others urging onwards; and all were bold, and cast aside fear.” “Loud and far resounded the bray of the horns and the shocks of the lances; the mighty strokes of clubs, and the quick clashing of swords. One while the Englishmen rushed on, another while they fell back; one while the men from over the sea charged onwards, and again, at other times, retreated. Then came the cunning manœuvres, the rude shocks and strokes of the lance, and blows of the sword, among the sergeants and soldiers, both English and Norman. When the English fall the Normans shout. Each side taunts and defies the other, yet neither knoweth what the other saith; and the Normans say the English bark, because they understand not their speech.” In this way the struggle proceeded for several hours. The Saxons had an arduous part to sustain; for, as shewn in the Tapestry, they were attacked on all sides.