, and overcoming all opposition, slew Marsir
on the spot. By this time every one of the Christians was slain, and
Orlando himself sorely wounded in five places by lances, and grievously
battered likewise with stones. Beligard, seeing Marsir had fallen,
retired from the field with the rest of the Saracens; whilst Theodoric
and Baldwin, and some few other Christians, made their way through the
pass, towards which Orlando, wandering, came likewise to the foot of it,
and, alighting from his steed, stretched himself on the ground, beneath
a tree, near a block of marble, that stood upright in the meadows of
Ronceval.

Here drawing his sword, Durendal, which signifies a hard blow, a sword
of exquisite workmanship, fine temper, and resplendent brightness, which
he would sooner have lost his arm than parted with, as he held it in his
hand, regarding it earnestly, addressed it in these words: "O sword of
unparalleled brightness, excellent dimensions, admirable temper, and
hilt of the whitest ivory, decorated with a splendid cross of gold,
topped by a berylline apple, engraved with the sacred name of God,
endued with keenness and every other virtue, who now shall wield thee in
battle? who shall call thee master? He that possessed thee was never
conquered, never daunted at the foe; phantoms never appalled him. Aided
by Omnipotence, with thee did he destroy the Saracen, exalt the faith of
Christ, and acquire consummate glory. Oft hast thou vindicated the blood
of Jesus, against Pagans, Jews, and heretics; oft hewed off the hand and
foot of the robber, fulfilling divine justice. O happy sword, keenest of
the keen; never was one like thee! He that made thee, made not thy
fellow! Not one escaped with life from thy stroke! If the slothful timid
soldier should now possess thee, or the base Saracen, my grief would be
unspeakable! Thus, then, do I prevent thy falling into their hands."--He
then struck the block of marble thrice, which cleft it in the midst, and
broke the sword in twain.

CHAPTER XXIII.

_Of the Sound of Orlando's Horn; of his Confession, and Death._

He now blew a loud blast with his horn, to summon any Christian
concealed in the adjacent woods to his assistance, or to recal his
friends beyond the pass. This horn was endued with such power, that all
other horns were split by its sound; and it is said that Orlando at that
time blew it with such vehemence, that he burst the veins and nerves of
his neck. The sound