Chapter CCXLVI

The hosts are numberless, the warriors fierce--
The encount'ring legions fighting hand to hand
Noblest exploits achieved. How many a lance
Asunder broken; God! How many shields
In pieces split, how many hauberks wrenched!
Splinters of shivered armor you might see
Strew all the field, and verdant tender grass
Vermillioned o'er by streams of human gore!
The Emir to his people calls anew:
"Barons strike down these Christian people!"--Hard
And long the fight embittered by revenge
And rage. Ne'er seen before nor will be seen
Again such combat.--To the death they fight.
Aoi.