Sir Pinabel stood before Karl in place,
Vast of body and swift of pace,--
Small hope hath he whom his sword may smite.
"Sire, it is yours to decide the right,
Bid this clamor around to pause.
Thierry hath dared to adjudge the cause;
He lieth. Battle thereon I do."
And forth his right-hand glove he drew.
But the Emperor said, "In bail to me
Shall thirty of his kinsmen be;
I yield him pledges on my side:
Be they guarded well till the right be tried."
When Thierry saw the fight shall be,
To Karl his right glove reacheth he;
The Emperor gave his pledges o'er.
And set in place were benches four--
Thereon the champions take their seat,
And all is ranged in order meet,--
The preparations Ogier speeds,--
And both demand their arms and steeds.


CCXXXVI

But yet, ere lay they lance in rest,
They make their shrift, are sained and blessed;
They hear the Mass, the Host receive,
Great gifts to church and cloister leave.
They stand before the Emperor's face;
The spurs upon their feet they lace;