reached the King's ears, who lay encamped in the
valley still called by his name, about eight miles from Ronceval,
towards Gascony, being carried so far by supernatural power. Charles
would have flown to his succour, but was prevented by Ganalon, who,
conscious of Orlando's sufferings, insinuated it was usual with him to
sound his horn on light occasions. "He is, perhaps," said he, "pursuing
some wild beast, and the sound echoes through the woods; it will be
fruitless, therefore, to seek him." O wicked traitor, deceitful as
Judas! What dost thou merit?

Orlando now grew very thirsty, and cried for water to Baldwin, who just
then approached him; but unable to find any, and seeing him so near his
end, he blessed him, and, again mounting his steed, galloped off for
assistance to the army. Immediately after Theodoric came up, and,
bitterly grieving to see him in this condition, bade him strengthen his
soul by confessing his faith. Orlando had that morning received the
blessed Eucharist, and confessed his sins before he went to battle, this
being the custom with all the warriors at that time, for which purpose
bishops and monks attended the army to give them absolution. The martyr
of Christ then cast up his eyes to heaven, and cried, "O Lord Jesus, for
whose sake I came into these barbarous regions; through thy aid only
have I conquered innumerable Pagans, enduring blows and wounds,
reproach, derision, and fatigue, heat and cold, hunger and thirst. To
thee do I commit my soul in this trying hour. Thou, who didst suffer on
the cross for those who deserved not thy favour, deliver my soul, I
beseech thee, from eternal death! I confess myself a most grievous
sinner, but thou mercifully dost forgive our sins; thou pitiest every
one, and hatest nothing which thou hast made, covering the sins of the
penitent in whatsoever day they turn unto thee with true contrition. O
thou, who didst spare thy enemies, and the woman taken in adultery; who
didst pardon Mary Magdalen, and look with compassion on the weeping
Peter; who didst likewise open the gate of Paradise to the thief that
confessed thee upon the cross; have mercy upon me, and receive my soul
into thy everlasting rest!

"Thou art he who preventest our bodies from perishing in the grave,
changing them to greater glory; thou, O Lord, art he, who hast said,
'thou rather wouldst the sinner should live than die.' I believe in thee
with my whole heart, and confess thee with my lips;