The  monster  tried  to  strike  him  with  a  lance,  but
Rogero  was  too  quick  for  him,  and  thrust  his  sword
through  his  body,  so  that  it  appeared  a  hand's  breadth
behind  his  back.  The  paladin,  now  giving  full  vent  to
his  rage,  laid  about  him  vigorously  among  the  rabble,
cleaving  one  to  the  teeth,  another  to  the  girdle  ;  but
the  troop  were  so  numerous,  and  in  spite  of  his  blows
pressed  around  him  so  close,  that,  to  clear  his  way,  he
must  have  had  as  many  arms  as  Briareus.
If  Rogero  had  uncovered  the  shield  of  the  enchanter,
which  hung  at  his  saddle-bow,  he  might  easily  have
vanquished  this  monstrous  rout  ;  but  perhaps  he  did
not  think  of  it,  and  perhaps  he  preferred  to  seek  his
defence  nowhere  but  in  his  good  sword.  At  that
moment,  when  his  perplexity  was  at  its  height,  he  saw
issue  from  the  city  gate  two  young  beauties,  whose  air


88  LEGENDS    OF    CHARLEMAGNE.
and  dress  proclaimed  their  rank  and  gentle  nurture.
Each  of  them  was  mounted  on  a  unicorn,  whose  white-
ness surpassed  that  of  ermine.  They  advanced  to  the
meadow  where  Rogero  was  contending  so  valiantly
against  the  hobgobhns,  who  all  retired  at  their  ap-
proach. They  drew  near,  they  extended  their  hands
to  the  young  warrior,  whose  cheeks  glowed  with  the
flush  of  exercise  and  modesty.  Grateful  for  their
assistance,  he  expressed  his  thanks,  and,  having  no
heart  to  refuse  them,  followed  their  guidance  to  the
gate  of  the  city.
This  grand  and  beautiful  entrance  was  adorned  by
a  portico  of  four  vast  columns,  all  of  diamond.
Whether  they  were  real  diamond  or  artificial  I  cannot
say.  What  matter  is  it,  so  long  as  they  appeared  to
the  eye  like  diamond,  and  nothing  could  be  more  gay
and  splendid.
