Chapter LXIV

The Emperor calls to Rolland and says:--
"Fair sire, my nephew, truly you must know
Half of my army will I leave with you;
Keep them; in their good help your safety lies."
Then said the Count:--"Of this will I do naught!
May God confound me, ere my race I shame;
But twenty thousand valiant knights I keep!
Through the defiles you can in safety pass
And fear no harm from man while yet I live."
Aoi.