"Fair son, Malprime," said th' Emir Baligant,

"Yesterday fell in death the noble knight

Rollánd, and Olivier the wise and brave,

And the twelve Peers by Carle so dearly loved,

With twenty thousand combatants of France;

Not at a glove's worth hold I all the rest.

Anon my Syrian messenger reports

The emperor's approach; ten armies Carle

Has called in close array; the knight who bears

The olifant, with clear resounding blast

Leads his companions, riding in the front;

Together with them fifteen thousand men

Of France, all bachelors, whom Carle is wont

To call his children. These as many follow

Who for the fiercest combat seem prepared."

Thus said Malprime: "The first stroke I demand!"

Aoi.