The King exhorts his French: "Beloved Seigneurs

And trusty Knights, ye many battles fought

For me, won many a realm, defeated Kings!

Full well I know, rich guerdons have ye earned;

My wealth, lands, blood I owe you. Now to-day

Your sons, your brothers and your kin avenge

Who fell in Ronceval but yesternight!

Well know ye mine the right, with them the wrong."

The French reply:—"Yea, sire, you speak the truth."

The twenty thousand knights who march with Carle

Pledge with one soul their fealty. Dire distress,

E'en death, shall cause not one of these to fail

The Emperor; not on lances they rely,

But with the sword in hand wage doughty strife.

Wondrous the raging battle. Stern the fight.

Aoi.