Roland has died on the field of battle, and Charlemagne believes that he was betrayed by Ganelon, who with his men deserted the field at a crucial moment. Ganelon is found guilty by trial, but before he can be executed one of his followers, Pinabel, challenges one of the emperor’s most devoted liege men to battle. The following passage describes that battle.
In a broad meadow below Aix la Chapelle, The barons meet; their battle has begun.
Both are courageous, both of them valiant lords, And their war-horses are spirited and swift They spur them hard, and loosening the reins,
They charge each other and strike with all their might. Both shields are shattered—they’re broken into bits— The hauberks break, the girths are split apart,
The saddles fall, and with them both the knights. A hundred thousand are weeping at the sight.
Both chevaliers have fallen to the ground.
Losing no time, they’re on their feet again. Agile and swift is Pinabel, and strong;
They face each other—they have no horses now— And raise their swords whose hilts are made of gold To strike and hew each other’s shining helms; Those heavy blows can cut right through the steel. The French lament, thinking their man must fail. “0 God,” says Charles, “now let the right prevail!”
Says Pinabel, “Thierry, admit you’ve lost!
I’ll be your vassal in loyalty and love,
All I possess shall be at your command— But reconcile the king and Ganelon.”
Then Thierry answers, “That’s easy to decide! I’ll take no offer unworthy of a knight!
Let God determine which one of us is right!”
Says Pinabel, “Almighty God forbid! I stand here now for all my family—
I won’t surrender to any man on earth! Better to die than live to merit blame.”
So once again they slash with their great swords, Striking the helmets brilliant with gold and jewels—
Great fiery sparks fly out against the sky. Now neither champion will to the other yield Until a dead man is lying on the field.