CIX

　　The battle grows more hard and harder yet,

　　Franks and pagans, with marvellous onset,

　　Each other strike and each himself defends.

　　So many shafts bloodstained and shattered,

　　So many flags and ensigns tattered;

　　So many Franks lose their young lustihead,

　　Who'll see no more their mothers nor their friends,

　　Nor hosts of France, that in the pass attend.

　　Charles the Great weeps therefor with regret.

　　What profits that?No succour shall they get.

　　Evil service, that day, Guenes rendered them,

　　To Sarraguce going, his own to sell.

　　After he lost his members and his head,

　　In court, at Aix, to gallows-tree condemned;

　　And thirty more with him, of his kindred,

　　Were hanged, a thing they never did expect.

　　AOI. The Song of Roland