Chapter IX

Blancandrin was the first to speak, and said
Unto the king:--"Hail! in the name of God,
The Glorious One we must adore! To you
I bring this message from Marsile the brave:
Well has he studied your Salvation's Law;
And would upon you lavish his great wealth.
Bears--lions--packs of hounds enchained he gives,
Seven hundred camels also--fifty score
Of molted falcons--mules, four hundred, packed
With gold and silver--fifty carts to carry
These gifts, and _bezants_[4] of the purest gold
He also sends, which will your soldiers pay.
Too long within our land you have remained;
To France--to Aix he wills you straight return.
There will he follow you: so says my lord."
To God the Emperor uplifts his hands;
Bends low his head and counsel takes in thought.
Aoi.