🧚 Of Guy of Burgundy

The Frenchmen, being now safe in the Tower, refreshed themselves with food, for they had fasted long, as has been told.1 As they sat at meat, came Floripas and said to them, "Tell me now; where is Guy of Burgundy, that was to be my husband?2 I saw him sally forth out of the gates with you; has he returned with you?"3 Roland answered her: "Floripas, think not that you will see him again.4 The pagans took him out of our hands, notwithstanding all that we could do; and how he will fare in their hands we know not."5 When Floripas heard these words, she fell down as one dead.6 When she came to herself she cried aloud with a lamentable voice: "Lords of France, if Guy be not given back to me I will give up this Tower to my father before two days are over."7 Then Roland comforted her saying, "Be not troubled, lady, you shall see Sir Guy again in no long time.8 This also I say.9 You will not bring him back by weeping and lamenting.10 Be strong now, and take comfort, and also, for you are weak with long fasting, eat of this food."11 Then Floripas and her ladies were content, and took something to eat.12

Meantime Guy was brought before the Admiral.13 He was much changed in face, being pale and wasted, seeing that he had not eaten for three days.14 Also he was troubled to think of the danger in which he stood.15 He had been spoiled also of his arms.16 For all this it was manifest that he was a very gallant knight.17 Balan asked him his name and country.18 Guy answered: "Admiral, I will tell the truth without fear.19 I am Guy of Burgundy, subject to King Charles, and cousin to Roland the Valiant."20

The Admiral answered, "I know you over well, Sir Guy.21 For seven months past my daughter has had great love for you, a thing which is most displeasing to me.22 Verily for this cause I have lost many good men, that you and your companions have slain.23 But tell me truly who are these knights that were with you in the Castle?"24 Then Guy told him the names of the knights, the last of all being the name of Duke Basyn. "25 Him," said he, "you have slain, but be assured that you will pay right dearly for his death."26 When he said these words, a Saracen that stood by smote him on the mouth so that the blood gushed out.27 Thereat Guy was greatly moved with anger, so that he lay hold of the Saracen by the hair with one hand and with the other hand smote him upon the bone of his neck so fiercely that the man fell down dead before the Admiral.28

At this deed the Admiral was greatly enraged, and cried out that Guy should be closely bound.29 At which word all the Saracens that were in the chamber fell upon him and beat him so sorely that he would have been shortly slain, but that the Admiral himself cried out that he was not to be put to death in such a fashion.30 Then the Saracens bound his hands, and the Admiral bade his men fetch Brullant and Sortibrant and others of his council. "31 Friends," said the Admiral, "advise me what I shall do with this prisoner who sets me at nought most shamefully."32 Sortibrant said, "I will give you good counsel concerning him.33 Set up a gallows-tree near to the moat of the Tower in which the French knights abide, and make as if you were going to hang this prisoner.34 But first cause that a thousand Turks well armed and fit for battle be hidden in a secret place near to the said tree.35 Be sure that the Frenchmen, when they shall see that their comrade is about to be hanged will come forth to succour him, and when they be come, then shall your Turks that are in ambush fall on them and take them."36

This counsel pleased the Admiral much.37 He caused, therefore, the gallows-tree to be set up, as Sortibrant had advised, and set the Turks in ambush, more than a thousand, that the thing might be made more sure.38 After this he bade thirty Saracens lead Guy to the tree, beating him sorely with their staves the while.39 His hands were bound behind his back, and there was a great rope about his neck, and he knew himself to be in evil case.40 He did not cease to commend himself to God; also he cried out to the Barons of France, and especially to Roland, that they should help him.41

Now Roland stood at a window whence he could see the gallows-tree set up.42 And he said to his comrades, "What means, think you, this gallows-tree that these Saracens are setting up?"43 Then the others looked, and the Duke Naymes said, "Without doubt they are about to hang our comrade Guy of Burgundy."44 He had scarcely spoken when they saw Guy led by the Saracens, bound and stripped.45 Floripas also saw this thing, and cried to the Knights, "Oh, my lords, will you suffer Guy that is your comrade to be thus shamefully done to death before your eyes?46 If he perish in this fashion I will leap from this window and so die."47 And she came to Roland and kneeled before him, and kissed his feet, and cried to him, "O, Sir, help this Guy whom I love, or else I am a lost woman.48 Arm yourselves, I pray you, and I will cause your horses to be made ready, so, if God pleases, you will be in good time."49 Then Roland and his fellows armed themselves in great haste, and went forth from the Tower, and mounted their horses.50 And Roland said to them, "Let us now keep together as much as may be, and be ready to help each other as each may be in need, for otherwise we shall hardly win back to this place, for we are but ten in number, and they are many."51

Floripas said, "My lords, I pray you not to tarry, but first I will bring you the Crown of Thorns."52 So she went to her chamber and brought therefrom the Holy Crown.53 This all the knights kissed with much reverence, and so issued forth from the Tower with a good courage.54 When they were gone, Floripas and her damsel lifted the bridge and shut fast the gates of the Tower.55

The Frenchmen rode in good order towards the place where, the gallows-tree was set up, the Saracens being busied with Guy whom they had now brought thereto, with the rope round his neck.56 When Roland saw this, he cried out, "Hold, traitors; this thing shall not fall out as you hope.57 You have begun a deed of which you shall surely repent."58 Thereupon he charged at them with such fierceness that the hardiest of them turned to fly; yet they fled not so fast but that Roland killed twenty out of the thirty.59 When the Saracens that lay in ambush saw this, they rose up from the place where they lay hid, a certain Conifer, a pagan of marvellous strength, being their leader.60 This Conifer cried out, "Ho, ye French knaves, come you to succour this malefactor?61 Verily you shall be hanged along with him."62 Roland was very wroth to hear such villainous words, and charged fierce as a hungry wolf, with his sword Durendal drawn in his hand.63 Nor did Conifer for his part draw back, for he was a great warrior.64 He dealt a great blow on Roland's shield that went nigh to beat it down.65 Nevertheless Roland slew him, cleaving his head in twain.66 This done he ran to the gallows and cut the cords with which Guy was bound, and afterwards stood by him till he had armed himself.67 This he did, taking the dead pagan's arms and mounting on his horse.68 But this was not easily done, for all the Saracens that had lain in ambush were coming upon them, and they were sore pressed.69