CVIII.

Lord Olivier then his good sword unsheathed, For which Rollánd entreated him so much, And showed it to his friend with knightly pride; Strikes down a Pagan, Justin de Val-Ferrée, Whose head is severed by the blow; cuts through Th' embroider'd hauberk, through the body, through The saddle all with studs and gold embossed, And through the back-bone of the steed. Both man And steed fall on the grass before him, dead. Rollánd exclaims: "Henceforth, you are indeed My brother! These, the strokes loved by King Carle!" And echoes round the cry: "Montjoie! Montjoie!" Aoi.