The hosts are numberless, the warriors fierce—

The encount'ring legions fighting hand to hand

Noblest exploits achieved. How many a lance

Asunder broken; God! How many shields

In pieces split, how many hauberks wrenched!

Splinters of shivered armor you might see

Strew all the field, and verdant tender grass

Vermillioned o'er by streams of human gore!

The Emir to his people calls anew:

"Barons strike down these Christian people!"—Hard

And long the fight embittered by revenge

And rage. Ne'er seen before nor will be seen

Again such combat.—To the death they fight.

Aoi.