Clear is the day and bright the sun; descends

The Emir from his ship. Espaneliz

Walks forth upon his right; a train of Kings

In number seventeen, with Dukes and Counts

Innumerable, follow. 'Mid the plain

Grows a great laurel, and beneath its shade

They spread a pallie of white silk upon

The verdant grass, and place a faldstool there

Of ivory. In this sits Baligant

The Pagan. All the others stand. First spake

The chief:—"Oyez, all ye, most valiant Knights!

King Carle, the Emperor, who leads the Franks,

Shall eat not, save by my command. Throughout

All Spain, 'gainst me a cruel war he waged:

Now I will seek him in sweet France, nor, while

My life lasts, cease until he dies the death,

Or, living, yields, and mercy begs." He spake

And struck his right-hand glove upon his knee.

Aoi.