 After the interruption of the combat with Rinaldo, as we have related, Rogero was perplexed with doubts what course to take. The terms of the treaty required him to abandon Agremont, who had broken it, and to transfer his allegiance to Charlemagne, and his love for Bratamante called him in the same direction, but unwillingness to desert his prince and leader in the hour of distress forbade this course. Embarking therefore for Africa, he took his way to rejoin the Saracen army, but was arrested midway by a storm which drove the vessel on a rock. The crew took to their boat, but that was quickly swamped in the waves, and Rogero, with the rest, were compelled to swim for their lives. Then, while buffeting the waves, Rogero bethought himself of his sin in so long delaying his Christian profession, and vowed in his heart that, if he should live to reach the land, he would no longer delay to be baptized. His vows were heard and answered. He succeeded in reaching the shore, and was aided and relieved on landing by a pious hermit, whose cell overlooked the sea. From him he received baptism, having first passed some days with him, partaking his humble fare, and receiving instruction in the doctrines of the Christian faith. While these things were going on, Rinaldo, who had set out on his way to seek gradaso and recover Bayard from him, hearing on his way of the great things which were doing in Africa, repaired thither to bear his part in them. He arrived too late to do more than join his friends in lamenting the loss of Floris Mart, and to rejoice with them in their victory over the pagan knights. On the death of their king the Africans gave up the contest, Besserta submitted, and the Christian knights had only to dismiss their forces and return home. Astolfo took leave of his Abyssinian army, and sent them back laden with spoil to their own country, not forgetting to entrust to them the bag which held the winds, by means of which they were enabled to cross the sandy desert again without danger, and did not untie it till they reached their own country. Orlando now, with Oliver, who much needed the surgeon's care, and Sabrina, to whom equal attention was shown, sailed in a swift vessel to Sicily, bearing with him the body of Floris Mart, to be laid in a Christian earth. Ronaldo accompanied them, as did Sansonet and the other Christian leaders. Arrived at Sicily the funeral was solemnized with all the rites of religion, and with the profound grief of those who had known Floris Mart or had heard of his fame. Then they resumed their course, staring for Marseille. But Oliver's wound grew worse instead of better, and his suffering so distressed his friends that they conferred together not knowing what to do. Then said the pilot, We are not far from an isle where a holy hermit dwells alone in the midst of the sea. It is said none seek his counsel or his aid in vain. He hath wrought marvellous cures, and if you resort to that holy man without doubt he can heal the night. Orlando bad him steer thither, and soon the bark was laid safely beside the lonely rock. The wounded man was lowered into their boat, and carried by the crew to the hermit's cell. It was the same hermit with whom Rogero had taken refuge after his shipwreck, by whom he had been baptized, and with whom he was now staying, absorbed in sacred studies and meditations. The holy man received Orlando in the rest with kindness, and inquired their errand, and being told that they had come for help for one who, warring for the Christian faith, was brought to perilous paths by a sad wound, he straightway undertook the cure. His applications were simple, but they were seconded by his prayers. The paladin was soon relieved from pain, and in a few days his foot was perfectly restored to soundness. So Brino, as soon as he perceived the holy monk performed that wonder, cast aside his false prophet, and with contrite heart owned the true God, and demanded baptism at his hands. The hermit granted his request, and also by his prayers restored him to health, while all the Christian knights rejoiced in his conversion almost as much as at the restoration of Oliver. More than all, Rogero felt joy and gratitude, and daily grew in grace and faith. Rogero was known by fame to all the Christian knights, but not even Ronaldo knew him by sight, though he had proved his prowess in combat. So Brino made him known to them, and great was the joy of all when they found one whose valor and courtesy were renowned through the world no longer an enemy and unbeliever, but a convert and champion of the true faith. All pressed about the night, one grasped his hand, another locks him fast in his embrace, but more than all the rest Ronaldo cherished him, for he more than any knew his worth. It was not long before Rogero confided to his friend the hopes he entertained of the union with his sister, and Ronaldo frankly gave his sanction to the proposal. But causes unknown to the Paladin were at that very time interposing obstacles to its success. The fame of the beauty and worth of Bratamante had reached the ears of the Grecian emperor, Constantine, and he had sent to Charlemagne to demand the hand of his niece for Leo, his son, and the heir to his dominions. Duke Amon, her father, had only reserved his consent until he should first have spoken with his son Ronaldo, now absent. The warriors now prepared to resume their voyage. Rogero took a tender farewell of the good Hermit who had taught him the true faith. Orlando restored to him the horse and arms which were rightly his, not even asserting his claim to Balasarda, that sword which he himself had won from the Enchantress. The Hermit gave his blessing to the band, and they re-embarked. The passage was speedy, and very soon they arrived in the harbor of Marseille. A stalfo, when he had dismissed his troops, mounted the hippogriff, and at one flight shot over to Sardinia, thence de Corsica, thence turning slightly to the left, hovered over Provence, and alighted in the neighborhood of Marseille. There he did what he had been commanded to do by the Holy Spirit. He unbridled the hippogriff and turned him loose to seek his own retreats, or more to be galled with saddle or bit. The horn had lost its marvellous power ever since the visit to the moon. A stalfo reached Marseille the very day when Orlando, Ronaldo, Oliver, Sobrino, and Rogero arrived there. Charles had already heard the news of the defeat of the Saracen Kings, and all the accompanying events. On learning the approach of the Gallant Knights he sent forward some of his most illustrious nobles to receive them, and himself, with the rest of his court, Kings, Dukes, and Piers, the Queen, and a fair and gorgeous band of ladies set forth from Arles to meet them. No sooner were the mutual greetings interchanged than Orlando and his friends led forward Rogero and presented him to the Emperor. They vouched him son of Rogero, Duke of Risa, one of the most renowned of Christian warriors, by adverse fortune stolen in his infancy and brought up by Saracens in the false faith, now by a kind providence converted and restored to fill the place his father once held among the foremost champions of the throne and church. Rogero had alighted from his horse and stood respectfully before the Emperor. Charlemagne bade him remount and ride beside him, and omitted nothing which might do him honour inside of his Marseille train. With pomp, triumphal, and with festive cheer the troop returned to the city. The streets were decorated with garlands, the houses hung with rich tapestry, and flowers fell like rain upon the conquering host from the hands of fair dames and damsels, from every balcony and window. So welcomed the mighty Emperor passed on till he reached the royal palace, where many days he feasted, high in hall, with his lords, amid turny, revel, dance, and song. When Rinaldo told his father, Duke Amon, how he had promised his sister to Rogero, his father hurt him with indignation, having set his heart on seeing her united to the Grecian Emperor's son. The Lady Beatrice, her mother, also appealed to Bratamont herself to reject a knight who had neither title nor lands, and give the preference to one who would make her Empress of the wide Levant. But Bratamont, though respect forbade her to refuse her mother's entreaty, would not promise to do what her heart repelled, and answered only with a sigh until she was alone, and then gave loose to tears. Meanwhile, Rogero, indignant that a stranger should presume to rob him of his bride, determined to seek the Prince of Greece and defy him to mortal combat. With this design he donned his armor, but exchanged his crest and emblazement, and bore instead a white unicorn upon a crimson field. He chose a trusty squire, and commanding him not to address him as Rogero rode on his quest. Having crossed the Rhine and the Austrian countries into Hungary, he followed the course of the Danube till he reached Belgrade. There he saw the Imperial Ensign's spread and white pavilions thronged with troops before the town. For the Emperor Constantine was laying siege to the city to recover it from the Bulgarians, who had taken it from him not long before. A river flowed between the camp of the Emperor and the Bulgarians, and at the moment when Rogero appeared a skirmish had begun between the parties from either camp, who had approached the stream for the purpose of watering. The Greeks in that affray were four to one, and drove back the Bulgarians in precipitate route. Rogero, seeing this, and animated only by his hatred of the Grecian Prince, dashed into the middle of the flying mass, calling aloud on the fugitives to turn. He encountered first a leader of the Grecian host in splendid armor, a nephew of the Emperor, as dear to him as a son. Rogero's lance pierced shield and armor and stretched the warrior breathless on the plane. Another and another fell before him, and astonishment and terror arrested the advance of the Greeks, while the Bulgarians, catching courage from the Cavalier, rally, and chase the Grecian troops, who fly in their turn. Leo the Prince was at a distance when the sudden skirmish rose, but not so far but that he could see distinctly from an elevated position which he held, how the changed battle was all the work of one man, and could not choose but admire the bravery and prowess with which it was done. He knew by the blazonry displayed that the champion was not of the Bulgarian army, though he furnished aid to them. Although he suffered by his valor the Prince could not wish him ill, for his admiration surpassed his resentment. By this time the Greeks had regained the river, and crossing it by fording or swimming some made their escape, leaving many more prisoners in the hands of the Bulgarians. Rogero, learning from some of the captives that Leo was at a point some distance down the river, rode thither with a view to meet him, but arrived not before the Greek Prince had repaired beyond the stream and broken up the bridge. Day was spent, and Rogero, wearied, looked round for a shelter for the night. He found it in a cottage where he soon yielded himself to repose. It so happened a night who had narrowly escaped Rogero's sword in the late battle also found shelter in the same cottage, and recognizing the armor of the unknown knight easily found means of securing him as he slept, and next morning carried him in chains and delivered him to the emperor. By him he was in turn delivered to his sister Theodora, mother of the young knight, the first victim of Rogero's spear. By her he was cast into a dungeon, till her ingenuity could devise a death sufficiently painful to satiate her revenge. Bratamont, meanwhile, to escape her father's and mother's importunity, had begged a boon of Charlemagne, which the monarch pledged his royal word to grant. It was that she should not be compelled to marry any one unless he should first vanquish her in single combat. The emperor therefore proclaimed a tournament in these words. He that would wed Duke Amon's daughter must contend with the sword against that dame, from the son's rise to his setting, and if in that time he has not overcome the lady shall be his. Duke Amon and the Lady Beatrice, though much incensed at the course things had taken, brought their daughter to court, to await the day appointed for the tournament. Bratamont, not finding there him whom her heart required, distressed herself with doubts what could be the cause of his absence. Of all fancies the most painful one was that he had gone away to learn to forget her, knowing her father's and her mother's opposition to their union, and despairing to contend against them. But, oh, how much worse would be the maiden's woe if it were known to her what her betrothed was then enduring. He was plunged in a dungeon where no ray of daylight ever penetrated, loaded with chains, and scantily supplied with the coarsest food. No wonder despair took possession of his heart, and he longed for death as a relief. When one night, or one day, for both were equally dark to him, he was roused with the glare of a torch and saw two men enter his cell. It was the Prince Leo, with an attendant, who had come as soon as he had learned the wretched fate of the brave knight whose valor he had seen and admired on the field of battle. Cavalier, said he, I am one whom thy valor hath so bound to thee that I willingly peril my own safety to lend the aid. Infinite thanks I owe you, replied Rogero, and the life you give me I promise faithfully to render back upon your call, and promptly to stake it at all times for your service. The Prince then told Rogero his name and rank, adhering which a tide of contending emotions almost overwhelmed Rogero. He would set at liberty, and had his horse and arms restored to him. CHAPTER XIX. RAGERO AND BRATAMANT, PART II. One while tidings arrived of King Charles's decree that whoever aspired to the hand of Bratamant must first encounter her with sword and lance. This news made the Grecian prince turn pale, for he knew he was no match for her in fight. Communing with himself, he sees how he may make his wit supply the place of valor, and employ the French knight, whose name was still unknown to him, to fight the battle for him. Rogero heard the proposal with extreme distress, yet it seemed worse than death to deny the first request of one to whom he owed his life. Hasteily he gave his assent, to do in all things that which Leo should command. Afterward, bitter repentance came over him, yet rather than confess his change of mind, death itself would be welcome. Death seems his only remedy, but how to die? Sometimes he thinks to make none but a feigned resistance, and allow her sword a ready access, for never can death come more happily than if her hand guide the weapon. Yet this will not avail, for unless he wins the maid for the Greek prince, his debt remains unpaid. He had promised to maintain a real, not a feigned encounter. He will then keep his word, and banish every thought from his bosom except that which moved him to maintain his truth. The young prince, richly attended, set out, and with him Rogero. They arrived at Paris, but Leo preferred not to enter the city, and pitched his tents without the walls, making known his arrival to Charlemagne by an embassy. The monarch was pleased, and testified his courtesy by visits and gifts. The prince set forth the purpose of his coming, and prayed the emperor to dispatch his suit, to send forth the damsel who refused ever to take in wedlock any lord inferior to herself in fight, for she should be his bride, for he would perish beneath her sword. Rogero passed the night before the day assigned for the battle, like that which the felon spends, condemned to pay the forfeit of his life on the ensuing day. He chose to fight with sword only, and on foot, for he would not let her see frontino, knowing that she would recognize the steed. Nor would he use balisarta, for against that enchanted blade all armor would be of no avail, and the sword that he did take he hammered well upon the edge to abate its sharpness. He wore the sircoat of Prince Leo, and his shield, emblazoned with a golden, double-headed eagle. The prince took care to let himself be seen by none. Bratamont, meanwhile, prepared herself for the combat far differently. Instead of blunting the edge of her falchion she wets the steel, and would vein and views into it her own acerbity. As the moment approached she seemed to have fire within her veins, and waited impatiently for the trumpet's sound. At the signal she drew her sword, and fell with fury upon her Rajero. But as a well-built wall or aged rock stands unmoved, the fury of the storm, so Rajero, clad in those arms which Trojan Hector once wore, withstood the strokes which stormed about his head and breast and flank. Sparks flew from his shield, his helm, his cures. From direct and back strokes, aimed now high, now low, falling thick and fast, like hailstones on a cotted roof. But Rajero, with skillful ward, turns them aside, or receives them where his armor is assured protection, careful only to protect himself, and with no thought of striking in return. Thus the hours passed away, and as the sun approached the west the damsel began to despair. But so much the more her anger increases, and she redoubles her efforts, like the craftsman who seizes work unfinished while the day is well nigh spent. Oh, miserable damsel, didst thou know whom thou wouldst kill? If in that cavalier matched against thee thou didst but know, Rajero, on whom thy very life there at's hang, rather than kill him thou wouldst kill thyself, for he is dearer to thee than life. Charles and the Peers, who thought the cavalier to be the Grecian Prince, viewing such force and skill exhibited, and how without assaulting her the knight defended himself, were filled with admiration, and declared the champions well matched and worthy of each other. When the sun was set, Charlemagne gave the signal for terminating the contest, and Bratamont was awarded to Prince Leo as a bride. Rajero in deep distress returned to his tent. There Leo unlaced his helmet and kissed him on both cheeks. Henceforth, said he, do with me as you please, for you cannot exhaust my gratitude. Rajero replied little, laid aside the ensigns he had worn and resumed the unicorn, then hasted to withdraw himself from all eyes. When it was midnight he rose, saddled Frontino and sallied from his tent, taking that direction which pleased his steed. All night he rode absorbed in bitter woe, and called on death as alone capable of relieving his sufferings. At last he entered a forest, and penetrated it into its deepest recesses. There he unharnessed Frontino, and suffered him to wander where he would. Then he threw himself down on the ground, and poured forth such bitter wailings that the birds and beasts, for none else heard him, were moved to pity with his cries. Not less was the distress of the Lady Bratamont, who rather than wed any one but Rajero resolved to break her word and defy kindred, court, and Charlemagne himself, and if nothing else would do to die. But relief came from an unexpected quarter. Marfisa, sister of Rajero, was a heroine of warlike prowess equal to Bratamont. She had been the confidant of their loves, and felt hardly less distressed than themselves at seeing the perils which threatened their union. They are already united by mutual vows, she said, and in the sight of heaven what more is necessary. Full of this thought she presented herself before Charlemagne, and declared that she herself was witness that the maiden had spoken to Rajero those words which they who marry swear, and that the compact was so sealed between the pair that they were no longer free, nor could forsake the one the other to take another spouse. This her assertion she offered to prove in single combat against Prince Leo or anyone else. Charlemagne, sadly perplexed at this, commanded Bratamont to be called, and told her what the bold Marfisa had declared. Bratamont neither denied nor confirmed the statement, but hung her head and kept silence. Duke Amon was enraged, and would feign have set aside the pretended contract on the ground that, if made at all, it must have been made before Rajero was baptized, and therefore void. But not so thought Ronaldo, nor the good Orlando, and Charlemagne knew not which way to decide, when Marfisa spoke thus. Since no one else can marry the maiden while my brother lives, let the Prince meet Rajero in mortal combat, and let him who survives take her for his bride. This saying pleased the Emperor, and was accepted by the Prince, for he thought that, by the aid of his unknown champion, he should surely triumph in the fight. Proclamation was therefore made for Rajero to appear and defend his suit, and Leo on his part caused search to be made on all sides for the night of the unicorn. Meanwhile Rajero, overwhelmed with despair, lay stretched on the ground in the forest night and day without food, courting death. Here he was discovered by one of Leo's people, who, finding him resist all attempts to remove him, hastened to his master, who was not far off, and brought him to the spot. As he approached he heard words which convinced him that love was the cause of the night's despair, but no clue was given to guide him to the object of that love. Stooping down, the Prince embraced the weeping warrior, and in the tenderest accents said, Spare not, I entreat you, to disclose the cause of your distress, for few such desperate evils betide mankind as our holy past cure. It grieves me much that you would hide your grief for me, for I am bound to you by ties that nothing can undo. Tell me then your grief, and leave me to try if wealth, art, cunning, force, or persuasion cannot relieve you. If not, it will be time enough after all has been tried in vain to die. He spoke in such moving accents that Rajero could not choose but to yield. It was some time before he could command utterance. At last he said, My Lord, when you shall know me for what I am, I doubt not you like myself will be content that I should die. Know then, I am that Rajero whom you have so much cause to hate, and who so hated you that, intent on putting you to death, he went to seek you at your father's court. This I did because I could not submit to see my promised bride borne off by you. But as man proposes and God disposes your great courtesy, well tried in time of sore need, so moved my fixed resolve, that I not only laid aside the hate I bore, but purposed to be your friend for ever. You then asked of me to win for you the Lady Bratamante, which was all one as to demand of me my heart and soul. You know whether I served you faithfully or not. Yours is the Lady, possess her in peace, but ask me not to live to see it. Be content rather that I die, for vows have passed between myself and her which forbid that, while I live, she can lawfully wife with another. So filled was the gentle Leo with astonishment at these words that for a while he stood silent, with lips unmoved and steadfast gaze, like a statue. And the discovery that the stranger was Rajero not only abated not the good will he bore him, but increased it, so that his distress for what Rajero suffered seemed equal to his own. For this, and because he would appear deservedly an emperor's son, and though in other things outdone, should not be surpassed in courtesy, he says, Rajero, had I known that day when your matchless valor routed my troops that you were Rajero, your virtue would have made me your own, as then it made me while I knew not my foe, and I should have no less gladly rescued you from Theodora's dungeon. And if I would willingly have done so then, how much more gladly will I now restore the gift of which you would rob yourself to confer it upon me? The damsel is more due to you than to me, and though I know her worth, I would forgo not only her, but life itself, rather than distress a night like you. This and much more he said to the same intent, till at last Rajero replied, I yield, and and content to live, and thus a second time owe my life to you. But several days elapsed before Rajero was so far restored as to return to the royal residence, where an embassy had arrived from the Bulgarian princes to seek the night of the unicorn, and tendered to him the crown of that country, in place of their king, fallen in battle. Thus were things situated when Prince Leo, leading by the hand Rajero, clad in the battered armour in which he had sustained the conflict with Bratamont, presented himself before the king. Behold, he said, the champion who maintained from dawn to setting sun the arduous contest, he comes to claim the garden of the fight. King Charlemagne, with all his peerage, stood amazed, for all believed that the Grecian prince himself had fought with Bratamont. Then stepped forth Marfisa, and said, since Rajero is not here to assert his rights, I, his sister, undertake his cause, and will maintain it against whoever shall dare dispute his claim. She said this with so much anger and disdain that the prince deemed it no longer wise to feign, and withdrew Rajero's helmet from his brow, saying, Behold him here, and withdrew Rajero's helmet from his brow, saying, Behold him here. Who can describe the astonishment and joy of Marfisa? She ran and threw her arms about her brother's neck, nor would give way to let Charlemagne and Ronaldo, Orlando, Dudun, and the rest, who crowded round embrace him, and press friendly kisses on his brow. The joyful tidings flew fast by many a messenger to Bratamont, who in her secret chamber lay lamenting. The blood that stagnated about her heart flowed at that notice so fast that she had well nigh died for joy. Duke Amon and the Lady Beatrice no longer withheld their consent, and pledged their daughter to the brave Rajero before all that gallant company. Now came the Bulgarian ambassadors, and kneeling at the feet of Rajero besought him to return with them to their country, where, in Adrianipole, the crown and scepter were awaiting his acceptance. Prince Leo united his persuasions to theirs, and promised in his royal father's name that peace should be restored on their part. Rajero gave his consent, and it was surmised that none of the virtues which shone so conspicuously in him so availed to recommend Rajero to the Lady Beatrice, as the hearing her future son-in-law saluted as a sovereign prince. After the expulsion of the Saracens from France, Charlemagne led his army into Spain to punish Marsilius, the king of that country. For having sided with the African Saracens in the late war, Charlemagne succeeded in all his attempts and compelled Marsilius to submit and pay tribute to France. Our readers will remember Gano, otherwise called Gan, or Ganalon, whom we mentioned in one of our early chapters as an old courtier of Charlemagne and a deadly enemy of Orlando, Rinaldo and all their friends. He had a great influence over Charles, from a quality of age and long intimacy, and he was not without good qualities. He was brave and sagacious, but envious, false and treacherous. Gan prevailed on Charles to send him an ambassador to Marsilius to arrange the tribute. He embraced Orlando over and over again at taking leave, using such pains to seem loving and sincere that his hypocrisy was manifest to everyone but the old monarch. He fastened with equal tenderness on Oliver, who smiled contemptuously in his face and thought to himself, you may make as many fair speeches as you choose, but you lie. All the other paladins who were present thought the same, and they said as much to the emperor, adding that Gan should on no account be sent ambassador to the Spaniards, but Charles was infatuated. Gan was received with great honour by Marsilius. The king attended by his lords came fifteen miles out of Saragossa to meet him, and then conducted him into the city with acclamations. There was nothing for several days but balls, games and exhibitions of chivalry. The ladies throwing flowers on the heads of the French knights and the people shouting France, Mountjoy and St. Denis. After the ceremonies of the first reception, the king and the ambassador began to understand one another. One day they sat together in the garden on the border of a fountain. The water was so clear and smooth it reflected every object around, and the spot was encircled with fruit trees which quivered with the fresh air. As they sat and talked as if without restraint, Gan, without looking the king in the face, was unable to see the expression of his countenance in the water and governed his speech accordingly. Marsilius was equally adroit and watched the face of Gan while he addressed him. Marsilius began by lamenting not as to the ambassador, but as to the friend, the injuries which Charles had done him by invading his dominions, charging him with wishing to take his kingdom from him and give it to Orlando. Till at length he plainly uttered his belief that if that ambitious paladin were but dead, good men would get their rights. Gan heaved a sigh as if he was unwillingly compelled to allow the force of what the king said, but unable to contain himself long, he lifted up his face, radiant with triumph and wickedness, and exclaimed, Every word you utter is truth. Die he must, and die also must Oliver, who struck me that fell blow at court. Is it treachery to punish a front like these? I have planned everything. I have settled everything already with their besotted master. Orlando will come to your borders to Roncevallus for the purpose of receiving the tribute. Charles will await him at the foot of the mountains. Orlando will bring but a small band with him. You, when you meet him, will have secretly your whole army at your back. You surround him and who receives tribute then. The new Judas had scarcely uttered these words when his exultation was interrupted by a change in the face of nature. The sky was suddenly overcast. There was thunder and lightning. A laurel was split in two from head to foot, and the carib tree under which Gann was sitting, which is said to be the species of tree on which Judas has scarcely hung himself, dropped one of its pods on his head. Marcellus, as well as Gann, was appalled at this omen. But on assembling his soothsayers, they came to the conclusion that the laurel tree turned the omen against the emperor, the successor of the Caesar's, though one of them renewed the consternation of Gann by saying that he did not understand the meaning of the tree of Judas and intimating that perhaps the ambassador could explain it. Gann relieved his vexation by anger. The habit of wickedness prevailed over all other considerations, and the king prepared to march to Roncevallus at the head of all his forces. Gann wrote to Charlemagne to say how humbling and submissively Marcellus was coming to pay the tribute into the hands of Orlando, and how handsome it would be of the emperor to meet him halfway, and so be ready to receive him after the payment at his camp. He added a brilliant account of the tribute and the accompanying presence. The good emperor wrote in turn to say how pleased he was with the ambassador's diligence and that matters were arranged precisely as he wished. His court, however, had its suspicions still. Though they little thought Gann's object in bringing Charles into the neighborhood of Roncevallus was to deliver him into the hands of Marcellus after Orlando should have been destroyed by him. Orlando, however, did as his lord and sovereign desired. He went to Roncevallus, accompanied by a moderate train of warriors, not dreaming of the atrocity that awaited him. Gann, meanwhile, had hastened back to France in order to show himself free and easy in the presence of Charles and secure the success of his plot, while Marcellus, to make assurance doubly sure, brought into the passes of Roncevallus no less than three armies which were successively to fall on the Paladin in case of the worst, and so extinguish him with numbers. He had also, by Gann's advice, brought heaps of wine and good cheer to be set before his victims in the first instance. For that, said the traitor, will render the onset the more effective, the feasters being unarmed. One thing, however, I must not forget, added he, my son Baldwin is sure to be with Orlando, you must take care of his life for my sake. I give him this vesture off my own body, said the king. Let him wear it in the battle and have no fear. My soldiers shall be directed not to touch him. Gann went away rejoicing to France. He embraced the sovereign and the court all around with the air of a man who had brought them nothing but blessings and the old king wept for very tenderness and delight. Something is going on wrong and looks very black thought, Malagijai, the good wizard. Rinaldo is not here and it is indispensable necessary that he should be. I must find out where he is and Ricky Odetto too and send for them with all speed. Malagijai called up his art, a wise, terrible and cruel spirit named Ashtaroth. Tell me and tell me truly of Rinaldo said Malagijai to the spirit. The demon looked hard at the paladin and said nothing. His aspect was clouded and violent. The enchanter with an aspect still cloudier, Bade Ashtaroth, laid down that look and made signs as if he would resort to angry compulsion. And the devil alarmed, loosened his tongue and said, You have not told me what you desire to know of Rinaldo. I desire to know what he has been doing and where he is. He has been conquering and baptizing the world, east and west, said the demon, and now is in Egypt with Ricky Odetto. And what has Ghan been plotting with Marsilius, inquired Malagijai, and what is to come of it? I know not, said the devil. I was not attending to Ghan at the time and we found that Malagijai was in Ghan at the time and we fallen spirits know not the future. All I discern is that by the signs and comets in the heavens something dreadful is about to happen, something very strange, treacherous and bloody, and that Ghan has a seat ready prepared for him in hell. Within three days, cried the enchanter loudly, bring Rinaldo and Ricky Odetto into the pass of Ronsa Valles. Do it, and I hereby undertake to summon thee no more. Suppose they will not trust themselves with me, said the spirit. Enter Rinaldo's horse and bring him whether he trusts thee or not. It shall be done, returned the demon. There was an earthquake and Ashtaroth disappeared. Marsilius now made his first movement towards the destruction of Orlando. By sending before him his vassal, King Blanc-Shadan, with his presence of wines and other luxuries. The temperate but courteous hero took them in good part and distributed them as the traitor wished, and then Blanc-Shadan, on pretence of going forward to salute Charlemagne, returned and put himself at the head of the Second Army, which was the post assigned him by his Lee's Lord, King Phalsaron, whose son Orlando had slain in battle, headed the First Army and King Balaganti III. Marsilius made a speech to them in which he let them into his design and concluded by recommending to their goodwill the son of his friend, Gann, whom they would know by the vest he had sent him and who was the only soul amongst the Christian they were to spare. This son of Gann meanwhile and several of the paladins who distrusted the misbelievers and were anxious at all events to be with Orlando had joined the hero in the fatal valley so that the little Christian host considering the tremendous valor of their Lord and his friends were not to be sold for nothing. Rinaldo, alas, the second thunderbolt of Christendom was destined not to be there in time to meet the issue. The paladins in vain begged Orlando to be on his guard against treachery and send for a more numerous body of life. The great heart of the champion of the faith was unwilling to harbour suspicion as long as he could help it. He refused to summon aid which might be superfluous. Neither would he do anything but what his liege lord had directed, and yet he could not wholly repress a misgiving. A shadow had fallen on his heart, great and cheerful as it was. The anticipations of his friends disturbed him in spite of it. Perhaps by a certain foresight he felt his death approaching, but he felt banned not to encourage the impression. Besides time-pressed, the moment of the look-for tribute was at hand and the little combinations of circumstances determine often the greatest events. End of section 20 Recording by Robert White Section 21 of Bullfinch's The Legends of Charlemagne This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Robert White The Age of Charlemagne by Thomas Bullfinch Section 21 The Battle of Ronsavallus Part 2 King Marsilius was to arrive early next day with the tribute, and Oliver, with the morning sun, rode forth to Reconoiter and see if he could discover the peaceful pomp of the Spanish court in the distance. He rode up the nearest height and from the top of it beheld the first army of Marsilius, already forming in the passes. Oh, devil-gan, he exclaimed, this then is the consummation of thy labours. Oliver put spurs to his horse and galloped back down the mountain to Orlando. Well, cried the hero, what news? Bad news, said his cousin, such as you would not hear of yesterday. Marsilius is here in arms and all the world is with him. The Paladins pressed around Orlando and entreated him to sound his horn in token and needed help. His only answer was to mount his horse and ride up the mountain with San Sanetto. As soon, however, as he cast forth his eyes and beheld what was round about him, he turned in sorrow and looked down into Ronsa Valles and said, Oh, miserable valley, the blood shed in thee this day will colour thy name, forever. Orlando's little camp were furious against the Saracens. They armed themselves with the greatest impatience. There was nothing but lacing of helmets and mounting of horses, while Good Archbishop Turpin went from rank to rank exhorting and encouraging the warriors of Christ. Orlando and his captains withdrew for a moment of consultation. He fairly groaned for sorrow and at first had not a word to say, so wretched he felt at having bought his people to die in Ronsa Valles. Then he said, If it had entered into my heart to conceive the king of Spain to be such a villain, never would you have seen this day. He has exchanged with me a thousand courtesies and good words and I thought that the worst enemies we had been before, the better friends we had become now. I fancied every human being capable of this kind of virtue on a good opportunity, saving, indeed, such base-hearted wretches as can never forgive their very forgivers, and of these I did not suppose him to be one. Let us die if die we must, art honest and gallant men, so that it should be said of us it was only our bodies that died. The reason why I did not sand the horn was partly because it did not become us, and partly because our liege lord could hardly save us, even if he heard it. And with these words Orlando sprang to his horse crying, a ways against the Saracens! But he had no sooner turned his face than he wept bitterly, and said, O holy virgin, think not of me the sinner Orlando, but have pity on these thy servants. And now with a mighty dust and an infinite sound of horns and timbers, which came filling the valley, the first army of the infidels made its appearance, horses neighing and a thousand penins flying in the air. King Falzeron led them on, saying to his officers, let nobody dare to lay a finger on Orlando, he belongs to myself. The revenge of my son's death is mine. I will cut the man down that comes between us. Now friends, said Orlando, every man for himself and sent Michael for us all, there is not one here that is not a perfect night. And he might well say it, for the flower of all France was there, except Ronaldo and Ricciadetto, every man a picked man, all friends and constant companions of Orlando. So the captains of the little troop and of the great army sat looking at one another and singling one another out as the latter came on, and then the knights but spear in rest and ran for a while, two and two in succession, one against the other. Astolfo was the first to move. He ran against Arlotto of Sorio and thrust his antagonist body out of the saddle and he sold into the other world. Oliver encanted Malprimo and though he received a thrust which hurt him, sent his lance right through the heart of Malprimo. Falceron was daunted at this blow. Truly thought he. This is a marvel. Oliver did not press on among the Saracens, his wound was too painful. But Orlando now put himself and his whole land in motion, and you may guess what an uproar ensued. The sound of the rattling of blows and helmets was as if the forge of Vulcan had been thrown open. Falceron beheld Orlando coming so furiously that he thought him a Lucifer who had burst his chain and was quite of another mind than when he proposed to have him all to himself. On the contrary, he recommended himself to his gods and turned away, meaning to wait for a more auspicious season of revenge. But Orlando hailed him with a terrible voice saying, Oh, thou traitor! Was this the end to which old quarrels were made up? Then he dashed at Falceron with a fury so swift and at the same time with a mastery of his lance so marvellous, that though he plunged it in the man's body, so instantly to kill him, and then withdrew it, the body did not move in the saddle. The hero himself, as he rushed onwards, was fine to see the end of a stroke so perfect. And turning his horse back, touched the carcass with his sword, and it fell on the instant. When the Infidels beheld their leader dead, such fear fell upon them that they were for leaving the field to the Paladins, but they were unable. Marsilius had drawn the rest of his forces round the valley like a net so that their shoulders were turned in vain. Orlando rode into the thick of them and wherever he went, Thunderbolts fell upon helmets. Oliver was again in the fray with Walter and Baldwin, Aveno and Avolio, while Archbishop Terpin had changed his crosier for a lance and chased a new flock before the Paladins. Yet what could be done against foes without number? Marsilius constantly paused them in. The Paladins were as units to thousands. Why tarry the horses of Rinaldo and Ricciodetto? The horses did not tarry, but fate had been quicker than enchantment. Ashtaroth had presented himself to Rinaldo in Egypt, and, after telling his errand, he and Falmouth, his servant, entered the horses of Rinaldo and Ricciodetto, which began to neigh and snort and leap with the fiends within them till off they flew through the air over the pyramids and across the desert, and reached Spain and the scene of action just as Marsilius brought up his Third Army. The two Paladins on their horses dropped right into the midst of the Saracens and began making such havoc among them that Marsilius, who overlooked the fight from a mountain, thought his soldiers had turned against one another. Orlando beheld it and guessed it could be no other but his cousins, and pressed to meet them, Oliver coming up at the same moment, the rapture of the whole party is not to be expressed. After a few hasty words of explanation, they were forced to turn again upon the enemy, whose numbers seemed perfectly without limit. Orlando making a bloody passage towards Marsilius struck a youth on the head whose helmet was so strong as to resist the blow, but at the same time flew off. Orlando prepared to strike a second blow, but when the youth exclaimed hold, you love my father, I am Buja Forte. The Paladin had never seen Buja Forte, but he saw the likeness to a good old man, his father, and he dropped his sword. Oh, Buja Forte said he, I loved him indeed, but what does his son do here fighting against his friends? Buja Forte could not at once speak for weeping. At length, he said, I am forced to be here by my lord and master, Marsilius, and I have made a show of fighting, but have not heard a single Christian. Treachery is on every side of you. Baldwin himself has a vest given him by Marsilius that everybody may know the son of his friend Gan and do him no harm. Put your helmet on again, said Orlando, and behave just as you have done. Never with your father's friend be an enemy to the son. The hero then turned in fury to look for Baldwin who was hastening towards him at that moment with friendliness in his looks. It is strange, said Baldwin. I have done my duty as well as I could, yet nobody will come against me. I have slain right and left and cannot comprehend what it is that makes the steadiest infidels avoid me. Take off your vest, said Orlando contemptuously, and you'll soon discover the secret if you wish to know it. Your father has sold us to Marsilius, all but his honorable son. If my father, said Baldwin, impetuously tearing off the vest, has been such a villain, and I escaped dying, I will plunge this sword through his heart. But I am no traitor, Orlando, and you do me wrong to say it. Think not, I can live with dishonour. Baldwin spurred off into the fight, not waiting to hear another word from Orlando who was very sorry for what he had said, for he perceived that the youth was in despair. And now the fight raged beyond all it had done before. Twenty pagans went down for one paladin, but still the paladins fell. Sansonetto was beaten to earth by the club of Grandonio. Walter de Moulion had his shoulder broken. Mary and Atoni were slain, and at last a stulfo fell in revenge of whose death Orlando turned the spot where he died into a lake of Saracen blood. The luckless Buja Forte met Ronaldo, and before he could explain how he seemed to be fighting on the Saracen side, received such a blow upon the head that he fell, unable to utter a word. Orlando, cutting his way to a spot where there was a great wriggle and uproar, found the poor young Baldwin, the son of Gann, with two spears in his breast. I am no traitor now, said Baldwin, and those were the last words he said. Orlando was bitterly sorry to have been the cause of his death, and tears streamed from his eyes. At length Dan went Oliver himself. He had become blinded with his own blood, and smitten Orlando without knowing him. How now, cousin! cried Orlando. Have you too gone over to the enemy? Oh my lord and master! cried the other. I ask your pardon. I can see nothing. I am dying. Some traitor has stabbed me in the back. If you love me, lead my horse into the thick of them so that I may not die unevenged. I shall die myself before long, said Orlando, out of very toil and grief, so we will go together. Orlando led his cousin's horse where the press was thickest, and dreadful was the strength of the dying man and his tired companion. They made a street through which they passed out of the battle, and Orlando led his cousin away to his tent and said, Wait a little till I return, for I will go and sand the horn the hill yonder. It is of no use, said Oliver. My spirit is fast going and desires to be with its lord and saviour. He would have said more, but his words came from him imperfectly, like those of a man in a dream, and so he expired. When Orlando saw him dead, he felt as if he was alone on the earth, and he was quite willing to leave it. Only he wished the king Charles at the foot of the mountains should know how the case stood before he went. So he took up the horn and blew it three times with such force that the blood burst out of his nose and mouth. Turpin says that at the third blast the horn broke in two. In spite of all the noise of the battle, the sound of the horn broke over it like a voice out of the other world. They say that birds fell dead at it and that the whole Saracen army drew back in terror. Charlemagne was sitting in the midst of his court when the sound reached him and Gann was there. The emperor was the first to hear it. Do you hear that? Said he to his nobles. Did you hear the horn as I heard it? Upon this they all listened and Gann felt his heart misgive him. The horn sounded the second time. What is the meaning of this? said Charles. Orlando is hunting, observed Gann, and the stag is killed. But when the horn sounded yet a third time and the blast was one of so dreadful of earments, everybody looked at the other and they all looked at Gann in a fury. Charles rose from his seat. This is no hunting of the stag, said he. The sound goes to my very heart. Oh Gann, oh Gann, not for thee do I blush, but for myself. Oh foul and monstrous villain, take him gentlemen and keep him in close prison. Would to God I had not lived to see this day. But it was no time for words. They put the traitor in prison and then Charles, with all his court, took his way to Ronce Valles grieving and praying. It was afternoon when the horn sounded and half an hour after it when the emperor set out and meantime, Orlando had returned to the fight that he might do his duty, however hopeless, as long as he could sit his horse. At length he found his end approaching for tall and fever and rode all alone to a fountain where he had before quenched his thirst. His horse was wearier than he and no sooner had his master alighted than the beast kneeling down as if to take leave and to say, I have brought you to a place of rest, fell dead at his feet. Orlando cast water on him from the fountain, not wishing to believe him dead. But when he found it to no purpose he grieved for him as if he had been a human being and addressed him by name with tears and asked forgiveness if he had ever done him wrong. They say that the horse at these words opened his eyes a little and looked kindly at his master and then stirred nevermore. They say also that Orlando then summoning all his strength smote a rock near him with his beautiful sword during Dana, thinking to shiver the steel in pieces and so prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy. But though the rock split like a slate, and the great clef remained ever after to astonish the eyes of pilgrims, the sword remained un-injured. And now Ronaldo and Riccadetto came up with Turpin having driven back the Saracens and told Orlando that the battle was won. Then Orlando knelt before Turpin and begged remission of his sins and Turpin gave him absolution. Orlando fixed his eyes on the hilt of his sword and said to him, I have brought you here Orlando fixed his eyes on the hilt of his sword as on the crucifix and embraced it. And he raised his eyes and appeared like a creature seraphical and transfigured and bowing his head he breathed out his pure soul. And now King Charles and his nobles came up. The emperor at sight of the dead Orlando threw himself as if he had been a reckless youth from his horse and embraced and kissed the body and said, I bless the Orlando I bless thy whole life and all that thou wast and all that thou ever didst and the father that begat thee and ask pardon of thee for believing those who brought thee to thine end. They shall have their reward O thou beloved one but indeed it is thou that livest an eye who am worse than dead Horrible to the emperor's eyes was the sight of the field of Ronsavallus the Saracens indeed had fled conquered but all his paladins but two were left on it dead and the whole valley looked like a great slaughterhouse trampled into blood and dirt and reeking to the heat. Charles trembled to his heart's core for wonder and agony. After gazing dumbly on the place he cursed it with a solemn curse and wished that never grass might grow in it again nor seed of any kind neither within it nor on any of its mountains around but the anger of heaven abide over it forever. Charles and his warriors went after the Saracens into Spain. They took and fired Saragosa and Marsilius was hung to the carib tree under which he had planned his villainy with Gan and Gan was hung and drawn and quartered in Ronsavallus amidst the execrations of the country. End of section 21 Recording by Robert White Charlemagne was overwhelmed with grief at the loss of so many of his bravest warriors at the disaster of Ronsavall and bitterly reproached himself for his credulity in resigning himself so completely to the councils of the treacherous Count Gan. Yet he soon fell into a similar snare when he suffered his unworthy son, Charlotte, to acquire such an influence over him that he constantly led him into acts of cruelty and injustice that he had never seen before. Rinaldo and his brothers, for some slight offence to the imperious young prince, were forced to fly from Paris and to take shelter in their castle of Montalban for Charles had publicly said if he could take them he would hang them all. He sent numbers of his bravest knights to arrest them, but all without success. Either Rinaldo foiled their efforts and sent them back, stripped of their armor and of their glory, or, after meeting him, he sent them back to the castle of Montalban for their glory, or, after meeting and conferring with him, they came back and told the king they could not be his instruments for such a work. At last Charles himself raised a great army and went in person to compel the paladin to submit. He ravaged all the country round about Montalban so that supplies of food should be cut off, and he threatened death to any who should attempt to issue forth, hoping to compel the garrison to submit for want of food. Rinaldo's resources had been brought so low that it seemed useless to contend any longer. His brothers had been taken prisoners in a skirmish, and his only hope of saving their lives was in making terms with the king. So he sent a messenger offering to yield himself in his castle if the king would spare his and his brother's lives. While the messenger was gone, Rinaldo, impatient to learn what tidings he might bring, rode out to meet him. When he had ridden as far as he thought prudent he stopped in a wood, and a lighting tied Bayard to a tree. Then he sat down and as he waited he fell asleep. Bayard meanwhile got loose and straight away with the grass tempted him. Just then came along some country people who said to one another, Look! Is not that the great horse Bayard that Rinaldo rides? Let us take him and carry him to King Charles who will pay us well for our trouble. They did so, and the king was delighted with his prize and gave them a present that made them rich to their dying day. When Rinaldo woke he looked round for his horse and finding him not he groaned and said, Oh, unlucky hour that I was born, how fortune persecutes me. So desperate was he that he took off his armor and his spurs saying, What need have I of these since Bayard is lost? While he stood thus lamenting a man came from the thicket seemingly bent with age. He had a long beard hanging over his breast, an eyebrows that almost covered his eyes. He bade Rinaldo good day. Rinaldo thanked him and said, A good day I have hardly had since I was born. Then said the old man, Senior Rinaldo, you must not despair, for God will make all things turn to the best. Rinaldo answered, My trouble is too heavy for me to hope or leave. The king has taken my brothers and means to put them to death. I thought to rescue them by means of my horse Bayard, but while I slept he has stolen him. The old man replied, I will remember you and your brothers in my prayers. I am a poor man. Have you not something to give me? Rinaldo said, I have nothing to give. But then he recollected his spurs. He gave them to the beggar and said, Here, take my spurs. They are the first present my mother gave me when my father, Count Amon, dubbed me night. They ought to bring you ten pounds. The old man took the spurs and put them into his sack and said, Well, sir, have you nothing else you can give me? Rinaldo replied, Are you making sport of me? I tell you truly, if it were not for shame to beat one so helpless I would teach you better manners. The old man said, of a truth, sir, if you did so you would do a great sin. If all had beaten me of whom I have begged I should have been killed long ago, for I ask alms and churches and convents, and wherever I can. You say true, replied Rinaldo, if you did not ask none would relieve you. The old man said, True, noble sir, therefore I pray if you have anything more to spare give it to me. Rinaldo gave him his mantle and said, Take it, pilgrim, I give it to you for love of Christ that God would save my brothers from a shameful death and help me to escape out of King Charles's power. The pilgrim took the mantle, folded it up, and put it into his bag. Then a third time he said to Rinaldo, Sir, have you nothing left to give me that I may remember you in my prayers? Wretch, exclaimed Rinaldo, do you make me your sport? And he drew his sword and struck at him, but the old man warded off the blow with his staff and said, Rinaldo, would you slay your cousin, Malageegee? Would you slay your cousin, Malageegee? When Rinaldo heard that he stayed his hand and gazed doubtingly on the old man who now threw aside his disguise and appeared to be indeed Malageegee. Dear cousin, said Rinaldo, pray forgive me. I have no other choice. I have no other choice. He said, Rinaldo, pray forgive me. I did not know you. Next to God my trust is in you. Help my brothers to escape out of prison I entreat you. I have lost my horse and therefore cannot render them assistance. Malageegee answered, Cousin Rinaldo, I will enable you to recover your horse. Meanwhile you must do as I say. Then Malageegee took from his sack again and gave it to Rinaldo to put on over his armor and a hat that was full of holes and an old pair of shoes to put on. They looked like two pilgrims, very old and poor. They went forth from the wood and after a little while saw four monks riding along the road. Malageegee said to Rinaldo, I will go meet the monks and see what news I can learn. Malageegee learned from the monks that on the approaching festival there would be a great crowd of people at court for the prince was going to show the ladies the famous horse Bayard that used to belong to the Prince. What, said the pilgrim, is Bayard there? Yes, answered the monks. The king has given him to Charlotte and after the prince has ridden him the king means to pass sentence on the brothers of Rinaldo and have them hanged. Then Malageegee asked alms of the monks but they would give him none till he threw aside his pilgrim garb and let them see his armor. When, partly for charity and partly for terror they gave him a golden cup adorned with precious stones Malageegee then hastened back to Rinaldo and told him what he had learned. The morning of the feast day Rinaldo and Malageegee came to the place where the sports were to be held. Malageegee gave Rinaldo his spurs back again and said, Cousin, put on your spurs for you will need them. How shall I need them? said Rinaldo since I have lost my horse. Yet he did as Malageegee directed him. When the two had taken their stand on the border of the field among the crowd the princes and ladies of the court began to assemble. When they were all assembled the king came also and Charlotte with him near whom the horse Bayard was led in the charge of grooms who were expressly enjoined to guard him safely. The king, looking round on the circle of spectators saw Malageegee and Rinaldo and observed the splendid cup that they had and said to Charlotte see, my son, what a brilliant cup those two pilgrims have got. It seems to be worth a hundred dukets. That is true, said Charlotte. Let us go and ask where they got it. So they rode to the place where the pilgrims stood and Charlotte stopped Bayard close to them. The horse snuffed the pilgrims, knew Rinaldo, and caressed his master. The king said to Malageegee, Friend, where did you get that beautiful cup? Malageegee replied, Honourable sir, I paid for it all the money I have saved from eleven years begging in churches and convents. The pope himself has blessed it and given it the power that whosoever eats or drinks out of it shall be pardoned of all his sins. Then said the king to Charlotte, My son, these are right holy men. See how the dumb beast worships them. Then the king said to Malageegee, Give me a morsel from your cup that I may be cleared of my sins. Malageegee answered, Illustrious lord, I dare not do it unless you will forgive all who have at any time offended you. You know that Christ forgave all those who had betrayed and crucified him. The king replied, Friend, that is true, but Rinaldo has so grievously offended me that I cannot forgive him, nor that other man, Malageegee, the magician. These two shall never live in my kingdom again. If I catch them I will certainly have them hanged. But tell me, pilgrim, who is that man who stands beside you? He is deaf, dumb and blind, said Malageegee. The king said again, Give me to drink of your cup to take away my sins. Malageegee answered, My lord king, here is my poor brother who for fifty days has not heard, spoken nor seen. This misfortune befell him in a house where we found shelter, and the day before yesterday we met with a wise woman who told him the only hope of a cure for him was to come to some place where Bayard was to be written and to mount and ride him. Then said the king, Friend, you have come to the right place, for Bayard is to be written here today. Give me a draft from your cup, and your companion shall ride upon Bayard. Malageegee, hearing these words, said, Be it so. Then the king with great devotion took a spoon and dipped a portion from the pilgrim's cup, believing that his singe should be thereby forgiven. When this was done the king said to Your request that you will let this pilgrim sit on your horse and ride if he can, for by so doing he will be healed of all his infirmities. Charlotte replied, That will I gladly do. So saying he dismounted and the servants took the pilgrim in their arms and helped him on the horse. When Ronaldo was mounted he put his feet in the stirrups and said, I would like to ride a little. Malageegee, hearing him speak, seemed delighted and asked him Yes, said Ronaldo, I am healed of all my infirmities. When the king heard it he said to Bishop Turpin, My Lord Bishop, we must celebrate this with the procession, with crosses and banners, for it is a great miracle. When Ronaldo remarked that he was not carefully watched he spoke to the horse and touched him with the spurts. Bayard knew that his master was upon him and he started off upon a rapid pace and in a few moments he was being great alarm. Oh, noble king and master, he cried, my poor companion is run away with, he will fall and break his neck. The king ordered his knights to ride after the pilgrim and bring him back or help him if need were. They did so but it was in vain. Ronaldo left them all behind him and kept on his way until he reached Montalban. Malageegee was suffered to depart unsuspected and he went his way making sad lamentation for the think must surely be dashed to pieces. Malageegee did not go far but having changed his disguise returned to where the king was and employed his best art in getting the brothers of Ronaldo out of prison. He succeeded and all three got safely to Montalban where Ronaldo's joy at the rescue of his brothers and the recovery of Bayard was more than tongue can tell. End of Section 22 Section 23 of Bullfinches the Legends of Charlemagne This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Age of Charlemagne by Thomas Bullfinch Section 23 Death of Ronaldo The distress in Ronaldo's castle for wanted food grew more severe every day under the pressure of the siege. The garrison were forced to kill their horses both to save the provision they would consume and to make food of their flesh. At last all the horses were killed except Bayard and Ronaldo said to his brothers, Bayard must die for we have nothing else to eat. So they went to the stable and brought out Bayard to kill him. But Alardo said, Brother, let Bayard live a little longer who knows what God may do for us. Bayard heard these words and understood them as if he was a man and fell on his knees as if he would beg for mercy. When Ronaldo saw the distress of his horse his heart failed him and he let him live. Just at this time Aya, Ronaldo's mother, who was the sister of the emperor, came to the camp, attended by knights and ladies to intercede for her sons. She fell on her knees before the king and besought him that he would pardon Ronaldo and his brothers and all the peers and knights took her side and entreated the king to grant her prayer. Then said the king, Dear sister, accept the part of a good mother and I respect your tender heart and yield to your entreaties. I will spare your sons their lives if they will submit implicitly to my will. When Charlotte heard this he approached the king and whispered in his ear. And the king turned to his sister and said, Charlotte must have Bayard because I have given the horse to him. Now go, my sister, and tell Ronaldo what I have said. When the lady Aya heard these words the earthy king and brother, I will do as you bid me. So she went into the castle where her sons received her most joyfully and affectionately and she told them the king's offer. Then Alardo said, brother, I would rather have the king's enmity than give Bayard to Charlotte, for I believe he will kill him. Likewise said all the brothers. When Ronaldo heard them he said, Dear brothers, if we may win our forgiveness by giving up the horse, so be it. Let us make our peace for we cannot stand against the king's power. Then he went to his mother and told her they would give the horse to Charlotte and more too if the king would pardon them and forgive all that they had done against his crown and dignity. The lady returned to Charles and told him the answer of her sons. When the peace was thus made between the king and the sons of Amon the brothers came forth from the castle bringing Bayard with them and following at the king's feet begged his forgiveness. The king arrived and received them into favour in the sight of all his noble knights and counsellors to the great joy of all especially of the Lady Aya their mother. Then Ronaldo took the horse Bayard, gave him to Charlotte and said, my lord and prince this horse I give to you, do with him as to you seems good. Do with him as to you seems good. Charlotte took him as had been agreed on. Then he made the servants take him to the bridge and throw him into the water. Bayard sank to the bottom but soon came to the surface again and swam saw Ronaldo looking at him came to land, ran to his old master and stood by him as proudly as if he had understanding and would say why do you treat me so? When the prince saw that he said Ronaldo give me the horse again for he must die. Ronaldo replied my lord and prince he is yours without dispute and gave him to him. The prince then had a millstone tied to each foot of his neck and made them throw him again into the water. Bayard struggled in the water, looked up to his master, threw off the stones and came back to Ronaldo. When Alardo saw that he said now must thou be disgraced forever brother if thou give up the horse again but Ronaldo answered brother be still shall I for the horse's life provoke the anger of the king again? Then Alardo said ah Bayard what a return do we make to the service. Ronaldo gave the horse to the prince again and said my lord, if the horse comes out again I cannot return him to you any more for it rings my heart too much. Then Charlotte had Bayard loaded with the stones as before and thrown into the water and commanded Ronaldo that he should not stand where the horse would see him. When Bayard rose to the surface he stretched his neck out of the water and looked round for his master but saw him not. Ronaldo was so distressed for the loss of Bayard that he made a vow to ride no horse again all his life long nor to bind a sword to his side but to become a hermit. He resolved to take himself to some wild wood but first to return to his castle to see his children and to appoint to each his share of his estate. So he took leave of the king and of his brothers and returned to Montalban and his brothers remained with the king. Ronaldo called his children to him and he made his eldest born a merrick, a knight and made him lord of his castle and of his land. He gave to all the rest what other goods he had and kissed and embraced them all commended them to God and then departed from them with a heavy heart. He had not travelled far when he entered a wood and there met with a hermit who had long been retired from the world. Ronaldo greeted him and the hermit replied courteously and asked him who he was Ronaldo replied Sir, I have led a sinful life many deeds of violence have I done and many men have I slain not always in a good cause but often under the impulse of my own head strong passions I have also been the cause of the death of many of my friends who took my part not because they thought me in the right but only for love of me and now I come to make confession of all my sins and to do penance for the rest of my life the hermit said friend, I perceive you have fallen into great sins and have broken the commandments of God but his mercy is greater than your sins and if you repent from your heart and lead a new life there is yet hope for you that he will forgive you what is past so Ronaldo was comforted and said master, I will stay with you and what you bid and I will do the hermit replied roots and vegetables will be your food shirt or shoes you may not wear your lot must be poverty and want if you stay with me Ronaldo replied I will cheerfully bear all this and more so he remained three whole years with the hermit and after that his strength failed and it seemed as if he was like to die one night the hermit had a dream and heard a voice from heaven which commanded him to say to his companion that he must without delay go to the holy land and fight against the heathen the hermit when he heard that voice he was glad and calling Ronaldo he said friend, God's angel has commanded me to say to you that you must without delay go to Jerusalem and help our fellow Christians in their struggle with the infidels then said Ronaldo ah, master, how can I do that it is over three years since I made a vow no more to ride a horse nor take a sword or spear in my hand the hermit answered dear friend, obey God and do what the angel commanded I will do so said Ronaldo and pray for me my master that God may guide me right then he departed and went to the seaside and took ship and came to Tripoli in Syria and as he went on his way his strength returned to him till it was equal to what it was in his best days and though he never mounted a horse nor took a sword in his hand yet with his pilgrim staff he did good service in the armies of the Christians and it pleased God that he escaped unhurt though he was present in many battles and his courage inspired the men with the same at last a truce was made with the Saracens and Ronaldo, now old and infirm wishing to see his native land again before he died took ship and sailed for France when he arrived he shunned to go to the resorts of the great and preferred to live among the humble folk where he was unknown he did country work and lived on milk and bread drank water and was therewith content while he so lived he heard that the city of Cologne was the holiest and best of cities on account of the relics and bodies of saints who had there poured out their blood for the faith this induced him to but take himself thither when the pious hero arrived at Cologne he went to the monastery of St. Peter and lived a holy life occupied night and day in devotion it so happened that at that time in the next town to Cologne there raged a dreadful pestilence many people came to Ronaldo to pray for them that the plague might be stayed the holy man prayed fervently and besought the Lord to take away the plague from the people and his prayer was heard the stroke of the pestilence was arrested and all the people thanked the holy man and praised God now there was at this time at Cologne a bishop called Agilophus who was a wise and understanding man who led a pure and secluded life and set a good example to others the bishop undertook to build the church of St. Peter and gave notice to all stone masons and other workmen round about to come to Cologne where they should find work in wages among others came Ronaldo and he worked among the laborers and did more than four or five common workmen when they went to dinner he brought stone and mortar so that they had enough for the whole day when the others went to bed he stretched himself out on the stones he ate bread only and drank nothing but water and had for his wages but a penny a day the head workman asked him his name and where he belonged he would not tell but said nothing and pursued his work they called him St. Peter's workman because he was so devoted to his work when the overseer saw the diligence of this holy man he chid the laziness of the other workmen and said you receive more pay than this good man but do not half as much work for this reason the other workmen hated Ronaldo and made a secret agreement to kill him they knew that he made it a practice to go every night to a certain church to pray and give alms so they agreed to lay weight for him with the purpose to kill him when he came to the spot they seized him and beat him over the head till he was dead then they put his body into a sack and stones with it and cast it into the rind in the hope the sack would sink to the bottom and be there concealed but God willed it not that it should be so but cause the sack to float on the surface and be thrown upon the bank and the soul of the holy martyr was carried by angels with songs of praise up to the heavens now at that time the people of Dortmund had become converted to the Christian faith and they sent to the bishop of Cologne and desired him to give them some of the holy relics that are in such abundance in that city so the bishop called together his clergy to deliberate what answer they should give to this request and it was determined to give the people of Dortmund the body of the holy man who had just suffered martyrdom and now the body with the coffin was put on the cart the cart began to move toward Dortmund without horses or help of men and stopped not till it reached the place where the church of St. Ronaldo now stands the bishop and his clergy followed the holy man to do him honour with singing of hymns for a space of three miles and St. Ronaldo has ever since been the patron of that place and many wonderful works has God done through him as may be seen in the legends End of Section 23 Section 24 of Bullfinches The Legends of Charlemagne This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Age of Charlemagne by Thomas Bullfinch Section 24 Huon of Bordeaux Part 1 When Charlemagne grew old he felt the burden of government become heavier year by year till at last he called together his high barons and peers to propose to abdicate the empire and the throne of France in favour of his sons Charleaux and Louis The emperor was unreasonably partial to his eldest son he would have been glad to have had the barons and peers demand Charleaux for their only sovereign Thomas was so infamous for his falsehood and cruelty that the council strenuously opposed the emperor's proposal of abdicating and implored him to continue to hold a scepter which he wielded with so much glory Armory of Hauteville cousin of Gannalon and now head of the wicked branch of the house of Maganza was the secret partisan of Charleaux whom he resembled in his loose morals and bad dispositions Armory nourished the most bitter resentment against the house of Guillen of which the former Duke Savines had often rebuked his misdeeds he took advantage of this occasion to do an injury to the two young children whom the Duke Savines had left under the charge of the Duchess Alice their mother and at the same time to advance his interest with Charleaux by increasing his wealth and power with this view he suggested to the Prince a new idea he pretended to agree with the opinion of the barons he said that it would be best to try Charleaux's capacity for government by giving him some rich provinces before placing him upon the throne and that the emperor without depriving himself of any part of his realm might give Charleaux the investiture of Guillen for although seven years had passed the death of Savines the young Duke his son had not yet repaired to the court of Charlemagne to render the homage due to his lawful sovereign we have often had occasion to admire the justice and wisdom of the advice which on all occasions the Duke of Nemo of Bavaria gave to Charlemagne and he now discounted with indignation the selfish advice of Armory he represented to the emperor the age of the children of Savines and the useful and glorious services of their late father and proposed to Charlemagne to send two knights to the Duchess at Bordeaux to summon her two sons to the court of the emperor to pay their respects and render homage Charlemagne approved this advice and sent two Chevaliers to demand the two young princes of their mother no sooner had the Duchess learned how to approach of the two knights then she sent distinguished persons to receive them and as soon as they entered the palace she presented herself before them with her elder and younger sons Euan and Girard the deputies delighted with the honors and caresses they received accompanied with rich presence left Bordeaux with regret and on their return represented to Charlemagne that the young Duke Euan was born to tread in the footsteps of his brave father informing him that in three months the young princes of Guyane would present themselves at his court the Duchess employed the short interval in giving her sons her last instructions Euan received them in his heart and Girard gave as much heed to them as could be expected from one so young the preparations for their departure having been made the Duchess embraced them tenderly commending them to the care of heaven and charged them to call on their way at the celebrated monastery of Cluny to visit the abbot the brother of their father this abbot worthy of his high dignity had never lost an opportunity of doing good setting an example of every excellence and making virtue attractive by his example he received his nephews his magnificence and aware how useful his presence might be to them with Charlemagne whose valued counselor he was he took with them the road to Paris when Armory learned what reception the two deputies of Charlemagne had received at Bordeaux and the arrangements made for the visit of the young princes to the emperor's court he suggested to Charleau to give him a troop of his guards they wait for the young men in the wood of Montlery put them to death and thereby give the prince Charleau possession of the Duchy of Guyenne a plan of treachery and violence agreed but too well with Charleau's disposition he not only adopted the suggestion of Armory but insisted upon taking a part in it they went out secretly by night followed by a great number of attendants all armed in black to lie in ambush god in the wood where the brothers were to pass Girard, the younger of the two having amused himself as he rode by flying his hawk at such game as presented itself had ridden in advance of his brother and the abbot of Clooney Charleau who saw him coming alone and unarmed went forth to meet him sought a quarrel with him and threw him from his horse with a stroke of his lands Girard uttered a cry as he fell you all heard it and flew to his defense with no other weapon than his sword he came up with him and saw the blood flowing from his wound what has this child done to you wretch he exclaimed to Charleau how cowardly to attack him when unprepared to defend himself by my faith said Charleau I mean to do the same by you know that I am the son of Duke Thierry of Ardennes from whom your father Savinas took three castles I have sworn to avenge him and I defy you coward answered Huon I know well the baseness that dwells in your race worthy son of Thierry use the advantage that your armor gives you but know that I fear you not at these words Charleau had the wickedness to put his lance in rest and to run upon Huon with his arm in his mantle with this feeble buckler he received the thrust of the lance it penetrated the mantle but missed his body then rising upon his stirrups Sir Huon struck Charleau so terrible a blow with his sword that the helmet was cleft asunder and his head too the dastardly prince fell dead upon the ground Huon now perceived that the wood was full of armed men he called the men of his suite and they hastily put themselves in order but nobody issued from the wood to attack him Amery who saw Charleau's fall had no desire to compliment himself and feeling sure that Charlemagne would avenge the death of his son he saw no occasion for his doing anything more at present he left Huon and the abbot of Clooney to bind up the wound of Girard and having seen them depart and resume their way to Paris he took up the body of Charleau and placing it across a horse had it carried to Paris where he arrived four hours after Huon the abbot of Clooney presented his nephew to Charlemagne but Huon refrained from paying his obéissance complaining grievously of the ambush which had been set for him which he said could not have been without the Emperor's permission Charlemagne, surprised at a charge which his magnanimous soul was incapable of meriting asked eagerly of the abbot what were the grounds of the complaints of his nephew the abbot told him faithfully all that had happened informing him that a coward knight who called himself the son of Thierry of Ardennes had wounded Girard and run upon Huon who was unarmed he had overcome the traitor and left him dead upon the plane Charlemagne indignantly disavowed any connection with the action of the infamous Thierry congratulated the young Duke upon his victory himself conducted the two brothers to a rich apartment stayed to see the first dressing applied to the wound of Girard and left the brothers in charge of Duke Nemo of Bavaria who having been a companion of the Duke Savinas regarded the young men almost as if they were his own sons Charlemagne had hardly quitted them when returning to his chamber he heard cries and saw through the window a party of armed men just arrived he recognized Amory who bore a dead knight stretched across a horse and the name of Charle was heard among the exclamations of the people assembled in the courtyard Charles's partiality for this unworthy son was one of his weaknesses he descended in trepidation to the courtyard ran to Amory and uttered a cry of grief on recognizing Charle it is Huon of Bordeaux said the traitor Amory who has massacred your son before it was in my power to defend him Charlemagne furious at these words seized a sword and flew to the apartment of the two brothers to plunge it into the heart of the murderer of his son Duke Nemo stopped his hand for an instant while Charles told him the crime of which Huon was accused he is a peer of the realm said Nemo and if he is guilty is he not here in your power and are not we peers the proper judges to condemn him to death let not your hand be stained with his blood calmed by the wisdom of Duke Nemo summoned Amory to his presence the peers assembled to hear his testimony and the traitor accused Huon of Bordeaux of having struck the fatal blow without allowing Charle an opportunity to defend himself and though he knew that his opponent was the Emperor's eldest son the abbot of Clooney indignant at the false accusation of Amory advanced by St. Benedict Sire the traitor lies in his throat if my nephew has slain Charle it was in his own defense and after having seen his brother wounded by him and also in ignorance that his adversary was the Prince though I am a son of the church added the good abbot I forget not that I am a knight by birth I offer to prove with my body the lie upon Amory if he dares to sustain it I feel that I am doing a better work to punish a disloyal traitor than to sing lords and matins Huon to this time had kept silent amazed at the black calumny of Amory but now he stepped forth and addressing Amory said traitor darest thou maintain in arms the lie thou hast uttered Amory a knight of great prowess despising the youth and slight figure of Huon hesitated not to offer his glove which Huon seized then turning again to the peers he said I pray you let the combat be allowed me for never was there a more legitimate cause the Duke Nemo and the rest deciding that the questions should be remitted to the judgment of heaven the combat was ordained to which Charlemagne unwillingly consented the young Duke was restored to the charge of Duke Nemo who the next morning invested him with the honors of knighthood and gave him armor of proof with a white shield the abbot of Clooney delighted to find in his nephew sentiments worthy of his birth embraced him gave him his blessing and hastened to the church of Saint Germain's to pray for him while the officers of the king prepared the lists for the combat the battle was long and obstinate the address and agility of Huon enabled him to avoid the terrible blows which the ferocious armory aimed at him but Huon had more than once drawn blood from his antagonist the effect began to be perceived in the failing strength of the traitor at last he threw himself from his horse and kneeling begged for mercy spare me he said and I will confess all aid me to rise and lead me to Charlemagne the brave and loyal Huon at these words put his sword under his left arm and stretched out his right to raise the prostrate man who seized the opportunity to give him a thrust in the side the howburg of Huon resisted the blow and he was wounded but slightly transported with rage at this act of baseness he forgot how necessary for his complete acquittal the confession of armory was and without delay dealt him the fatal blow Duke Nemo and the other peers approached had the body of armory dragged forth from the lists and conducted Huon to Charlemagne the emperor however listening to nothing but his resentment and grief for the death of his son refused to be satisfied and under the plea that Huon had not succeeded in making the accuser retract his charge seemed resolved to confiscate his estates and to banish him forever from France it was not till after long entreaties on the part of Duke Nemo and the rest that he consented to grant Huon his pardon under conditions which he should impose Huon approached and knelt before the emperor rendered his homage and cried him mercy for the involuntary of his son Charlemagne would not receive the hands of Huon in his own but touched him with his scepter saying I receive thy homage and pardon thee the death of my son but only on one condition you shall go immediately to the court of the Sultan Godiso you shall present yourself before him as he sits at meet you shall cut off the head of the most illustrious guest to him you shall kiss three times on the mouth the fair princess his daughter and you shall demand of the Sultan as token of tribute to me a handful of the white hair of his beard and four grinders from his mouth these conditions caused a murmur from all the assembly what said the abbot of Clooney slaughter a Saracen prince without first offering him baptism the condition is not so hard said the young peers but the demand that Huon is bound to make of the old Sultan is very uncivil and will be hard to obtain the emperor's obstinacy when he had once resolved upon a thing is well known to the courage of Huon nothing seemed impossible I accept the conditions said he silencing the intercessions of the old Duke of Bavaria I accept my pardon at this price I go to execute your commands as your vassal and a peer of France the Duke Nemo and Abbott of Clooney being unable to obtain any relaxation of the sentence passed by Charlemagne led forth the young Duke who determined to set out at once on his expedition all that the good Abbott could obtain of him was that he should prepare for this perilous undertaking he asked to Rome to pay his homage to the Pope who was the brother of the Duchess Alice Huon's mother and from him demand absolution and his blessing Huon promised it and forthwith set out on his way to Rome End of section 24