Roland feeleth his death is near,
His brain is oozing by either ear.
For his peers he prayed — God keep them well;
Invoked the angel Gabriel.
That none reproach him,
his horn he clasped;
His other hand Durindana grasped;
Then,far as quarrel from crossbow sent,
Across the march of Spain he went,
Where,on a mound,two trees between,
Four flights of marble steps were seen;
Backward he fell,on the field to lie;
And he swooned anon,
For the end was nigh.