After this really great scene, one of the finest in
all the chansons, William puts the corpse of Vivien
on the wounded but still generous Baucent, and
endeavours to make his way through the ring of
enemies who have held aloof but are determined not
to let him go. Night saves him : and though he has
to abandon the body, he cuts his way through a weak
part of the line, gains another horse (for Baucent can
carry him no longer), and just reaches Orange. But
he has taken the arms as well as the horse of a pagan
to get through his foes : and in this guise he is refused
entrance to his own city. Guibourc herself rejects
him, and only recognises her husband from the prow-
ess which he shows against the pursuers, who soon
catch him up. The gates are opened and he is saved,
but Orange is surrounded by the heathen. There is
no room to tell the full heroism of Guibourc, and.
CHANSONS DE GESTE. 77

besides, Aliscans is one of the best known of the -^
chansons, and has been twice printed.
