Chapter XLV

[Thus King Marsile] said:--"Fair sire Ganelon,
What means have I to kill the Count Rolland?"
Ganelon answered:--"This can I well say:
The King will reach the wider pass of Sizre
And leave his rear behind, where great Rolland
Eke Olivier, whom both he greatly trusts,
Will be the chiefs of twenty thousand Franks.
On these your hundred thousand Pagans throw,
And let them straightway make an onset fierce:
Stricken and slain shall be the men of France;
I say not that of yours none shall be slain,
But follow up this fight with like attack,
And Count Rolland cannot escape them both,
Then will you deeds of chivalry achieve,
And free your life from war for evermore."
Aoi.