🧚 How Huon Returned, His Errand Fulfilled · page 2

"Sir," said Huon, "willingly will I fight with this giant.68 But first you must give me back my horn and my cup that were taken from me." "69 It shall be done," said the Admiral, and he commanded that they should give the horn and the cup to Huon.70 These Huon delivered to Gerames to keep for him.71 After this he armed himself for battle.72 And when the Admiral saw him duly equipped for the fight, he said, "This is as goodly a knight as ever I beheld."73

When the giant and Huon came together in the field, the giant asked this question, "What is your kinship to the Admiral that you are willing to fight for him?"74 Huon answered him, "I am not of kin to him, I am a Frenchman born, and I slew your brother." "75 That is ill hearing," said the giant; "nevertheless I am thankful to Mahomet that he gives me occasion to revenge my brother's death; yet, for I see that you are a brave man, if you will worship Mahomet, I will give you my sister in marriage--and she is a foot higher than I and black as a coal--and the half of my lands."76 Huon answered, "I will have none of your lands or your sister.77 It is time to fight."78

Then the two, setting their spears in rest, charged at each other, and this so fiercely that their spears were broken in pieces and their horses borne to the ground.79 But the two leapt lightly to their feet, and next the giant would have stricken Huon with a great blow, but Huon leapt lightly to one side so that the giant missed his stroke.80 But Huon in his turn smote the giant in the helm, and cut off his ear.81 Then the giant was sore afraid and cried to Huon, "I yield me to you; I pray you to do me no hurt."82

The Admiral was greatly pleased with the victory, and Esclairmonde had even greater joy.83 When Gerames saw what had befallen, he said to the Admiral, "Know that I am no Saracen, no, nor nephew of yours, but I came to look for my lord, Huon of Bordeaux."84 The Admiral, when he heard this, said, "Of a truth it is hard to be aware of the craft and subtlety of these Frenchmen."85

Meanwhile Huon came and delivered up the giant to the Admiral.86 The giant knelt down, and said, "I did think myself the most mighty man upon the whole face of the earth, and that not ten men could prevail over me, but now am I overcome by one only.87 Therefore I submit myself to you and crave your pardon." "88 My pardon you shall have," answered the Admiral, "if you will promise not to trespass against me hereafter, and will swear to be my man so long as you shall live." "89 I promise," and kneeling down in the sight of all, he swore he would be the Admiral's man.90

These things finished, the Admiral and his chief lords, with the Frenchmen, sat down to dinner.91 At dinner Huon took the cup that Oberon had given him, and showed it to the Admiral saying, "See now what happens when I make this sign."92 And when he had made the sign of the cross, lo! the cup was filled with wine.93 Then he gave the cup into the Admiral's hand, and straightway the wine vanished away.94 The Admiral greatly marvelled at the sight, and said, "You have enchanted me." "95 Nay, sir," answered Huon, "this is no enchantment.96 This thing is a sign that you are full of sin.97 And now I beseech you to forsake your false gods and to be christened.98 Verily if you will not do this thing, I will overrun your palace and your whole city with armed men." "99 Now listen," cried the Admiral, "to this over-bold Frenchman!100 He hath lain in my prison for the half of a year, and now, forsooth, he will overrun my city with armed men.101 I marvel much where he will find them!" "102 Nevertheless," said Huon, "you had better do this thing." "103 I would not do it," answered the Admiral, "if Charlemagne and all his host were here."104

Then Huon blew the horn.105 And Oberon heard it where he sat in his palace, and said, "Hark! there is the horn once more, and methinks it sounds true."106 And he wished, "I would be in Babylon with one hundred thousand armed men."107 And straightway it happened as he wished.108 So Oberon and Huon overran the city of Babylon.109 All that would not be baptized they slew, and among them the Admiral, who was stout in refusing to leave his false gods, and all that consented to be baptized he saved alive.110 And Huon took to himself the Admiral's sceptre, and then Oberon wished again, and straightway he and Huon and all his company and the fair Esclairmonde were on the shore of the sea.111 And he caused that a goodly ship should be ready to take them to their own land.112 So Huon embarked with the fair Esclairmonde and all his people; also they took with them the chief treasures of the city of Babylon.113

Then Oberon bade farewell to Huon, saying, "See now that you tell the truth and keep you from sin; so shall you prosper all your days, and come to bliss when your days are ended.114 And now render me again the cup and the horn, for you need them no more."115

Then Huon and his company and the fair Esclairmonde departed in the ship, and in time came to the land of France.116 There did Huon render to Charlemagne the Admiral's sceptre; and the King received him into his royal favour, and gave him back his lands.117 Then was Huon wedded to the fair Esclairmonde, and these two lived together in great happiness to their lives' end.118

Not long after that Huon had been restored to his Duchy of Bordeaux, the Emperor Charlemagne died, having been seized by a fever, which, as being now old and worn out by many labours both in war and peace, he was unable to resist.119 There had been, it is said, many signs of his death--eclipses of the sun and moon, and other marvellous things.120 Also, when he was making his last expedition against the Danes, he saw a great light, as it were a blazing torch, pass through a clear sky and fall to the ground; and the horse on which he was riding fell to the ground with great violence.121 Also the palace in which he dwelt at Aachen was shaken by earthquakes, and in the Church which he himself had founded there happened this portent, that the word PRINCEPS, in the inscription which recorded this his munificence, so faded away that it could no longer be read.122 So Charlemagne died on the 28th of January in the year of Our Salvation, 814.123 He was buried in a sepulchral chamber in this same Church of Aachen.124 Many years after, the chamber having been opened, the body of the Emperor was found seated on a throne as if he yet lived, clothed with imperial robes, bearing on his head the crown, and grasping the sceptre in his hand, while by his side lay his sword Joyous, and on his knees was a book of the Gospels.125

In life he was of a tall and strong person, being seven feet in height.126 His eyes were large and piercing, his hair and beard long.127 He was of pleasant speech, and could speak other tongues besides his own.128 Writing he strove to acquire in his mature years, but could not learn the art.129 He was in truth a very noble and mighty prince.130