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The Song of Roland1 1 Primary Source 4.2 THE SONG OF ROLAND1 The Song of Roland tells the story of a military campaign by Charlemagne in northern Spain in 778. His youthful nephew Roland has brashly insulted Ganelon, his father-in- law, and urged that he be sent to negotiate peace terms with a local ruler. Together, they plot to ambush Roland who, thanks to Ganelon’s treachery, has been left to guard the Roncesvaux Pass through the Pyrenees Mountains following the withdrawal of the main army back into France. In the passage below, Roland expresses fearlessness despite facing an army vastly outnumbering his. A Christian hero who prays and confesses all his sins before the battle, he dies only by blowing so hard on his horn, once all his men lay slaughtered, that his temples burst. Charlemagne hears the sound, returns, and avenges his deceased vassals. The 4,000-line epic poem was composed anonymously to be sung before intimate audiences and was finally set to paper around 1100 in northern France. For the complete poem, click here. For a freely accessible audio recording of the book, click here. Upon a peak is Oliver2 mounted, Kingdom of Spain he sees before him spread, 1030 And Sarrazins,3 so many gatheréd. Their helmets gleam, with gold are jewelléd, Also their shields, their hauberks orfreyéd,4 Also their swords, ensigns on spears fixéd. Rank beyond rank could not be numberéd, 1035 So many there, no measure could he set. In his own heart he's sore astonishéd, Fast as he could, down from the peak hath sped Comes to the Franks, to them his tale hath said. LXXXII Says Oliver: "Pagans from there I saw; 1040 Never on earth did any man see more. Gainst us their shields an hundred thousand bore, That laced helms and shining hauberks5 wore; 1 The Song of Roland, (Trans.) Charles Scott Moncrieff, intro. G. K. Chesterton, with a note on technique by George Saintbury (London: Chapman & Hall Ltd., 1919), 34-37. For a more recent translation and scholarly commentary, see The Song of Roland, (Trans. and Ed.) Glyn Burgess (London: Penguin Classics, 1990). 2 Roland’s closest comrade. 3 Europeans of the time called Muslims “Saracens.” (The translator has kept the original spelling in Old French for this and a few other terms.) In the actual battle, Roland faced disgruntled Basques, who professed neither Christianity nor Islam. 4 Adorned with gold. 2 And, bolt upright, their bright brown spearheads shone. Battle we'll have as never was before. 1045 Lords of the Franks, God keep you in valour! So hold your ground, we be not overborne!" Then say the Franks "Shame take him that goes off: If we must die, then perish one and all." AOI.6 LXXXIII Says Oliver: "Pagans in force abound, 1050 While of us Franks but very few I count; Comrade Rollanz, your horn I pray you sound! If Charles hear, he'll turn his armies round." Answers Rollanz: "A fool I should be found; In France the Douce7 would perish my renown. 1055 With Durendal8 I'll lay on thick and stout, In blood the blade, to its golden hilt, I'll drown. Felon pagans to th' pass shall not come down; I pledge you now, to death they all are bound. AOI. LXXXIV "Comrade Rollanz, sound the olifant,9 I pray; 1060 If Charles hear, the host he'll turn again; Will succour us our King and baronage." Answers Rollanz: "Never, by God, I say, For my misdeed shall kinsmen hear the blame, Nor France the Douce fall into evil fame! 1065 Rather stout blows with Durendal I'll lay, With my good sword that by my side doth sway; Till bloodied o'er you shall behold the blade. Felon pagans are gathered to their shame; I pledge you now, to death they're doomed to-day." LXXXV 1070 "Comrade Rollanz, once sound your olifant! If Charles hear, where in the pass he stands, 5 A coat of mail. 6 Scholars believe this acronym may mean “Thy will be done.” 7 The sweet. 8 The name of Roland’s sword. 9 A ivory horn. 3 I pledge you now, they'll turn again, the Franks." "Never, by God," then answers him Rollanz, "Shall it be said by any living man, 1075 That for pagans I took my horn in hand! Never by me shall men reproach my clan. When I am come into the battle grand, And blows lay on, by hundred, by thousand, Of Durendal bloodied you'll see the brand. 1080 Franks are good men; like vassals10 brave they'll stand; Nay, Spanish men from death have no warrant."11 LXXXVI Says Oliver: "In this I see no blame; I have beheld the Sarrazins of Spain; Covered with them, the mountains and the vales, 1085 The wastes I saw, and all the farthest plains. A muster great they've made, this people strange; We have of men a very little tale." Answers Rollanz: "My anger is inflamed. Never, please God His Angels and His Saints, 1090 Never by me shall Frankish valour fail! Rather I'll die than shame shall me attain. Therefore strike on, the Emperour's love to gain." LXXXVII Pride hath Rollanz, wisdom Olivier hath; And both of them shew marvellous courage; 1095 Once they are horsed, once they have donned their arms, Rather they'd die than from the battle pass. Good are the counts, and lofty their language. Felon pagans come cantering in their wrath. Says Oliver: "Behold and see, Rollanz, 1100 These are right near, but Charles is very far. On the olifant deign now to sound a blast; Were the King here, we should not fear damage. Only look up towards the Pass of Aspre, In sorrow there you'll see the whole reward. 1105 Who does this deed, does no more afterward." Answers Rollanz: "Utter not such outrage! Evil his heart that is in thought coward! We shall remain firm in our place installed; 10 For Roland, vassalage—service to a lord—was a condition of the greatest honor. 11 The Spanish, in other words, are not immune to death. 4 From us the blows shall come, from us the assault." .
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