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Better they should all die, than that we should lose our country and our lands, and be forced to beg till the end of our lives. And the nobles answered, 'He has spoken well. King Marsile broke up his Council, and chose out those who were to go on the embassy.
'See, said the Saracens, 'did you ever behold a prouder warrior? Ganélon drew near the King and repeated the message that Charles had given him. When he had finished he held out the letter, and Marsile, who had studied in the best schools of learning, broke the seal and read it to himself. 'Listen to this, my lords, he cried, 'and say if ever you heard such madness!
One hot day Marsile was lying on a cool slab of blue marble which was shaded by overhanging fruit trees, and his nobles were sitting all round him. Suddenly the King sat up, and, turning to his followers, he said: 'Listen to me, my Lords, for I have something of note to say unto you.
Then, by the beard of Mahomet, deliver him into our hands. King Marsile is a generous master, and knows how to repay those who serve him. Ganélon heard his words, and bent his head in silence. But the silence did not last long: before they had arrived at Saragossa, Ganélon had made an agreement with Blancandrin, that they would find some means of causing Roland to perish.
Marsile asked his treasurer if he had made ready the presents that were to be sent to Charles, and pressing Ganélon in his arms, he declared that not a day should pass without his friend likewise receiving presents, if only he would give his help in the slaying of Roland. 'You keep me too long, was Ganélon's answer, and he mounted his horse and went.
If he agrees to become my vassal, and to receive Holy Baptism, I will give him half of Spain as a fief. The other half will be held by Roland, my nephew. If these terms do not please King Marsile, I will myself besiege Saragossa, and will take him and bind him in chains. Then he shall be brought to Aix, where he shall be put to a shameful death.
It would be shameful to ask for anything further, and the more so as you have hostages as pledges of his good faith. It is time that the war ended; therefore send him one of your barons to speak with him face to face. And the nobles answered, 'The Duke has spoken well. 'Noble lords, what envoy shall we send to King Marsile at Saragossa? 'I will go, if it is your pleasure, said Duke Naimes.
He commanded that they should be led into the mountains and that their heads should be cut off, which was done. No! Go on with the war, as you have begun it; march on Saragossa and lay siege to the town, though it should last to the end of your life, and avenge those whom Marsile put to death. With bent head the Emperor listened to Roland, twisting all the while his fingers in his moustache.
He rode fast to Marsile the King, and cried to him to mount his horse, and rally his men, and bring up fresh soldiers to deal the Franks a last blow, while they were exhausted from the long fight. 'It will be easy to revenge the thousands that they have slain, said he; 'but if you let them slip now the tide of battle may turn against us.
The Infidels who were standing by prayed Marsile to go back to his seat in order that the matter might be decided, 'You put yourself in the wrong, said the old Caliph, 'when you wish to strike this Frank.
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