Turold

La Chanson de Roland (The Song of Roland)

Part I: Ganelon’s Treachery

Charlemagne from the Grandes Chroniques de France, Paris, BNF, Fr. 2813

Charlemagne from the Grandes Chroniques de France, Paris, BNF, Fr. 2813
Picryl

Translated by A. S. Kline © Copyright 2024, All Rights Reserved.

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Contents

Translator’s Introduction

‘La Chanson de Roland’ or ‘The Song of Roland’, an 11th-century chanson de geste (a literary form that flourished between the 11th and 16th centuries in Europe, celebrating legendary deeds) relates the tale of the Frankish warrior Roland at the Battle of Roncevaux (or Roncesvalles) Pass, in AD778, during the reign of the Emperor Charlemagne, King of France. The poem, the oldest major work of French literature extant, composed in Old French, is thought to have been drafted around 1040AD and subsequently enhanced during the period up to 1115AD. The historical battle was an ambush laid by the Basques against Charlemagne’s forces, in retaliation for the destruction of their capital Pamplona, however the poem, fictitiously, presents the encounter as a battle against the Muslim conquerors of Spain who, as the poem begins, have been defeated everywhere apart from Zaragoza. Roland was adopted in the 19th century as a French national hero, and this chanson de geste, in which he appears, as the French national epic. The major extant manuscript of the Song of Roland in Old French, dating between 1129AD and 1165AD and written in Anglo-Norman, is held at the Bodleian Library (MS Digby 23), Oxford, England.

Verses 1-4: King Marsilius seeks counsel

Our mighty emperor, King Charlemagne,

Had lingered for full seven years in Spain,

Conquering that land to the western main,

Till not one hostile stronghold did remain,

Nor city wall to raze, nor tower to gain,

Save Zaragoza, high on its inland plain,

Marsilius’ realm, he that did God disdain,

Served Mahomet, called on Apollo’s name,

Nor escaped the ills to which all such attain.

King Marsilius was ensconced in Zaragoza.

He walked in an orchard there, in the shade,

On a terrace, richly paved in bluish marble,

Around him more than twenty thousand knights.

He called to his dukes and counts, and said:

‘Hear, my lords, of the trouble which impends.

Emperor Charlemagne, who rules fair France,

Has entered this, our land, to confound us.

I’ve no force strong enough to defeat him,

Lacking sufficient men to break his ranks.

Counsel me then, all you men of wisdom,

How I may guard myself from death or shame.’

None of those pagans spoke a word in answer.

Save Blancandrins of the castle of Valfunde.

Now, Blancandrins was of the wisest pagans,

A vassal, and brave knight in all respects.

Prudent counsel he gave to aid his master:

To the king he said: ‘Sire, be not dismayed!

Send messengers, bearing words of friendship,

To Charlemagne, a monarch fierce and proud.

Offer him gifts of bears and hounds and lions,

Seven hundred camels, a thousand moulted hawks,

Four hundred mules, sacks of gold and silver,

With fifty strong carts to convey the burden,

With which he may readily pay his soldiers.

He has campaigned too long within our land;

Let him return at last to France, and Aix,

Where you may go to him at Michaelmas,

And there may accept the Christian creed,

And swear to be his man, upon your honour.

If he seeks hostages, then yield them to him;

Some ten or twenty should gain his alliance.

Send him the sons born of our own wives;

I will send him mine, though he be slain.

Far better that our own sons be beheaded

Than that we lose our dignity and honour,

Or we, through this, be reduced to poverty.’

Said Blancandrins: ‘By this, my right hand,

And this, my beard stirred by the breeze,

You shall see this host of Franks disperse.

The Franks will return to France, their land.

Once all have returned to their dwellings,

Charlemagne will be at Aix, in his chapel,

To celebrate the feast-day of Saint Michael.

Come the day, the treaty terms will expire,

Yet he shall hear no word, no plea from us.

The king is proud, and his heart hardened,

So, the heads of our dear hostages will fall.

And yet far better that they lose their heads,

Than we should lose, Spain the fair, forever,

And endure the many ills that would bring.’

‘It may well be best,’ the rest cried, ‘to do so!’

Verses 5-7: He follows Blancandrin’s advice

King Marsilius brought the council to an end,

Then summoned to him Clarin de Balaguet,

With Estamarin, and Eudropin his peer,

And Priamun, and Guarlan of the beard,

Besides Machiner, with his uncle, Maheu,

Joüner, and Malbien from o’er the sea,

To hear, with Blancandrins, his decision.

‘My lord barons, go now to Charlemagne,

He is laying siege to the city of Cordrès.

Go, bearing olive-branches in your hands,

Tokens, as ever, of humility and peace.

If you, by wise words, can gain his favour,

I will give you each much gold and silver,

And all the lands and fiefdoms you’d wish.’

They answered: ‘Of such we have enough!’

King Marsilius concluded then, by saying:

‘My lords, go forth then, as I’ve commanded,

Bearing those olive-branches in your hands,

And, in my name, ask King Charlemagne,

For love of his God, to show me mercy.

A month shall not have passed ere he sees

Me follow, with a thousand loyal knights.

There I shall accept the Christian creed,

And will be his man, in faith and affection.

If it’s hostages he wants, he shall have them.’

Said Blancandrins: ‘His favour you will win.’

Marsilius ordered ten white mules be brought,

Which once the King of Sicily had sent him,

Their bridles gold, their saddles set with silver.

These, his chosen messengers now mounted,

Each holding an olive-branch in his hands.

They sought Charlemagne, who ruled all France,

Yet could not guard himself from treachery.

Verses 8-11: Marsilius’ messengers address Charlemagne

Emperor Charlemagne was happy and blithe,

Cordrès he’d taken; he had pierced the walls,

And with his catapults had felled the towers.

Many a rich spoil his knights had garnered,

Much gold and silver, and finest ornaments.

Not one pagan in that city did now remain

That was alive yet had not turned Christian.

The emperor was in a spreading orchard,

Beside him there, stood Oliver and Roland,

Duke Sansun, and brave Anseis the Proud,

Gefreid d’Anjou who bore the royal banner,

And there, also, were Gerin and Gerers.

And where they were, went many another.

Full fifteen thousand knights of fair France.

On white couches these knights were seated,

Playing board-games to amuse themselves,

With the older and wiser duelling at chess,

The lighter youths in their fencing-matches.

Beneath a pine-tree, near to a sweet-briar,

Was placed a folding-stool of pure gold,

Where sat the king, the ruler of fair France.

White of beard, his head of hair all white,

Graceful in form, proud of countenance,

He needed no pointing out to newcomers.

The messengers, on seeing him, dismounted,

And greeted him, offering love and loyalty.

Blancandrins was the first of them to speak,

Addressing the king: ‘God save your Grace,

The glorious God, whom you owe worship to!

We bear a message from Marsilius the Brave,

Who has studied the creed of true salvation,

And wishes to grant you gifts, of his wealth.

Here are hounds, bears, and lions enchained,

Seven hundred camels, a thousand moulted hawks,

Four hundred mules, sacks of gold and silver,

With fifty strong carts to convey the burden.

Great is his gift of bezants of pure gold,

With which you may readily pay your soldiers.

Full long you have campaigned in this land;

You may, at last, return to France, and Aix,

And he will follow you; thus, says my lord.’

The emperor raised his hands to the heavens,

Bowed his head, and was seen deep in thought.

The emperor remained there, with head bowed,

For he was ne’er a man hasty in replying,

And his custom it was to respond at leisure.

When he raised his head, his gaze was proud;

He said to the messengers: ‘A fine speech.

King Marsilius is, many times, my enemy.

To what degree then, can I place my faith

In the fair words that you have spoken here?’

‘Do you seek hostages?’ said the Saracen,

‘You shall have ten, fifteen, or even twenty.

Though he be slain, my son shall make one,

And you shall have nobler, of those that be.

When you’ve returned to your royal palace,

He has said he will follow you, and be there

At the great feast of Saint Michael del Peril.

In the spring your God brought forth for you,

He would bathe, and so become a Christian.’

Charlemagne replied: ‘He may yet be saved.’

The evening sky was clear, the sunset bright;

Their mules were stabled at the king’s command,

While a tent was raised in the spreading orchard,

In which the ten messengers might then lodge;

Twelve sergeants were assigned to serve them.

They rested there all night, till daylight came,

The emperor rising from his bed at dawn,

To hear both Matins chanted, and the Mass.

Beneath a pine-tree, now, the emperor sat,

And asked his nobles to grant him counsel,

Wishing to be guided by the lords of France.

Verses 12-13: Charlemagne’s Council at Cordrès

Beneath that pine-tree, then, the emperor sat;

These the barons summoned to the council:

Duke Oger answered, and Archbishop Turpin,

Richard the Old, and his nephew Henry,

Count Acolin the Brave of Gascony,

Tedbald of Reims, with Milun, his cousin,

And Gerers was there, alongside Gerin.

Count Roland was present with the rest,

And Oliver, that brave and noble knight;

In all, a thousand Franks of France, and more.

And Ganelon was there that wrought treason.

The council then began, that brought but ill.

‘My Lord Barons,’ said Emperor Charlemagne,

‘King Marsilius has sent me messengers,

And offers me rich gifts from his treasury,

Bears and lions, greyhounds on the leash,

Seven hundred camels, a thousand moulted hawks,

Four hundred mules, sacks of Arabian gold,

And fifty carts, as well, to bear the burden.

But he demands that I withdraw to France;

He’ll follow me, to Aix, to my seat there,

And there accept our creed that spells salvation.

A Christian he’d be, hold his lands from me,

And yet what is in his heart I cannot know.’

Cried the Franks: ‘Of him we should beware!’

Verses 14-16: Roland objects to Marsilius’ terms

With this the emperor now ended his address.

But Count Roland, who disliked the terms,

Rose to his feet, set to speak against them.

To the king he said: ‘Ne’er trust Marsilius.

Full seven years ago we first entered Spain.

I’ve won Noplés and Commiblés for you,

And took Valterne, and all the land of Pine,

And Balasgued, and Tuele, and Sezilie.

Marsilius there displayed his treachery.

He sent fifty pagans, envoys, from his host,

And each came bearing an olive branch,

And spoke to you in those self-same words.

You took counsel of the lords of France,

That would offer you but endless flattery.

Two of your counts you sent to the pagans.

Basan was one, and Basilies the other;

The king beheaded them before Haltilie.

Complete this war that you’ve undertaken.

Lead forth your mighty host to Zaragoza.

Lay siege to the place, in all your strength,

And avenge those men that the villain slew!’

The emperor then mused, with bowed head,

He clasped his chin, and tugged at his beard,

Saying naught to his nephew, of good or ill.

The Franks were silent, all except Ganelon,

Who rose, and stood before King Charlemagne,

And then began to speak to him most boldly.

He said to the king: ‘Put not your faith in fools!

Nor in myself, nor others; yourself, decide.

Since King Marsilius sends you this offer,

That with clasped hands he will be your man,

And hold all Spain a fiefdom ruled by you,

While adhering to the creed we all accept,

Then those that advise you to reject his plea

Care not a jot what manner of death we die.

Advice born of pride is wrong, to seek more.

Ignoring the fools, let’s hold to what is wise.’

After him, up stood the Duke of Neimes,

No better vassal had the emperor at court,

And addressed his king: ‘You have listened

To all that Ganelon has said in answer.

Wisdom, he spoke, and it should be heard.

Marsilius has met defeat in this fierce war;

Every one of his strongholds you’ve taken,

Your siege-engine shattering their walls;

His cities set ablaze; his army vanquished.

His plea but asks that you show him mercy.

It would be a sin to press him harder, now,

When he offers hostages as confirmation.

This campaign should be waged no longer.’

The Franks cried: ‘The duke has spoken well.’

Verses 17-19: He proposes himself as envoy; Oliver objects

‘My lords,’ said the king, ‘whom shall we send

To Zaragoza, to speak with Marsilius there?’

‘By your leave, I’ll go!’ said the Duke of Neimes,

‘Grant me the glove, and the wand of office.’

The king replied: ‘You are a man of wisdom,

By this very beard that grows upon my chin,

You shall not journey this far from my side;

Go and be seated, to this none summon you.

My Lord Barons, which of you may we send

To the Saracen king who rules in Zaragoza?’

Roland replied: ‘It were best for me to go!’

‘Indeed, you should not!’ cried Oliver.

‘Your heart is too proud, and full of fire;

I fear that you will meet with misadventure.

If the king wills it, better that I should go.’

The king exclaimed: ‘Be silent, both of you!

Neither you nor he shall stir a foot, in this.

By this white beard of mine, that you see,

I swear my Twelve peers shall be so ordered.’

The Franks were silent; for all acquiesced.

Turpin of Reims then stepped from the ranks,

And cried: ‘Let all your Franks here remain.

Seven years you’ve campaigned in this land,

And they’ve experienced much toil and pain,

Grant me the glove, and the wand of office,

And I will meet, Sire, this Saracen of Spain.

For I think that I may seek out his intention.’

The emperor replied, with a show of anger:

‘Go sit on that white couch of yours, again,

Nor speak a word, except at my command!

Verses 20-22: Roland proposes Ganelon as envoy, angering him

Knights of France,’ said the emperor, Charlemagne,

‘Come choose a baron of the realm for me,

Who might bear my message to Marsilius.’

Said Roland: ‘Send Ganelon, my step-father.’

The Franks cried: ‘He could well perform the task,

For compared to him, no wiser could be found.’

At this Count Ganelon was filled with anguish,

Flung the mantle of marten-fur from his neck,

And rose to his feet, in but his silken garments.

Bright were his eyes, proud was his glance,

Noble his body, his chest broad and arched,

So handsome he seemed that all gazed at him.

Said he to Roland: ‘Fool, why such malice?

All here know that for being your stepfather

You’ve proposed that I go meet Marsilius!

Well, if God grant I yet return from there,

I shall oppose you with so great a passion

That it will endure as long as your life may!’

Roland replied: ‘Folly I hear, and madness.

All men know I pay scant regard to threats.

Yet some wise fellow should bear the message;

If you wished it so, then I’d go in your place.’

Ganelon replied: ‘No, that you shall not do!

You are no man of mine, nor I your master.

King Charlemagne orders that I serve him,

And go meet with Marsilius, in Saragoza.

Once there I may work a little trick or two,

And so bring home my anger against you.’

When Roland heard this, he began to smile.

When Ganelon saw that Roland was smiling,

He felt such pain he was consumed with rage;

But a little more, and he’d have lost his mind.

To the count he said: ‘I bear no love for you.

You have done me an injustice in this matter.

My emperor, you behold me here before you.

I will complete the task that you’ve decreed.

Verses 23-26: Ganelon commits, angrily, to acting as such

It is clear that I must go to Zaragoza;

He who goes there is likely to remain.

I’ve taken your sister’s hand in marriage,

And have a son, none is more handsome;

Baldwin, that is, a paragon of knighthood.

To him, then, I leave my titles and estates.

Care well for him; I’ll not see him again.’

The monarch replied: ‘You are over-fearful.

If I command that it be so, then you must go.’

Then said the king: ‘Ganelon, stand before me,

To receive the glove, and the wand of office.

As you have heard, the Franks choose you.’

‘This is Roland’s doing, Sire,’ cried Ganelon.

‘As long as I live, I’ll hold no love for him,

Nor for Oliver, who’s ever his companion;

As for the dozen peers whom he so loves,

I here defy them all, Sire, in your presence.’

Then said the king: ‘You are but too perverse,

While, indeed, you must go, if I command it.’

‘Then go I will, with no guarantee of safety,

As Basilies had none, nor Basan his brother.’

The emperor took the glove from his right hand,

Though Ganelon had rather have been elsewhere;

Moving to grasp it, the glove fell to the ground.

The Franks cried: ‘Lord, what might this portend?

Great may be the trouble this message will bring.’

‘Well, my Lords,’ said Ganelon, ‘we’ll soon know.’

Then: ‘Give me your orders, Sire,’ he demanded,

‘Since I must go, I’ll brook no more delay.’

Then the King, with: ‘In Jesus’ name and mine!’

Made the sign of the cross with his right hand,

And gave him the wand of office, and his brief.

Verses 27-28: He sets out, meeting Blancandrins and the Saracen envoys

Count Ganelon now went to his lodgings,

And donned the garments for his journey,

The very best clothing that he could find.

He fastened spurs of pure gold to his feet,

And hung Murglies his sword at his side.

On Tachebrun, his charger, he mounted,

As his uncle, Guinemer, held the stirrup.

There you had seen many a knight weep,

Crying as one: ‘What misfortune, my lord!

You have been full many a year at court,

Acclaimed by all as a most noble vassal.

King Charlemagne will ne’er protect him,

The man that proposed you for this mission.

Count Roland should never have done so,

Knowing you born of such a noble line.’

Then they said: ‘Sire, now lead us forth!’

Ganelon replied: ‘Not so, God damn me!’

Better another dies, than a friend of mine.

To fair France, my lords, you shall go,

And greet my noble wife on my behalf,

And Pinabel, who is my friend and peer,

And Baldwin, my son, of whom you know,

And aid him, and hold him as your lord.’

Then, entering on his road, he went his way.

Ganelon rode on, halting neath an olive-tree,

Where he found the Saracen envoys gathered.

Blancandrins, it was, who came towards him,

And most courteously they then spoke together.

Said Blancandrins: ‘Wondrous is Charlemagne,

Who has conquered Puille, and all Calabre;

Into England he crossed, o’er the salt sea,

And by war, restored tribute to Saint Peter.

What does he seek from us, and our country?’

Ganelon replied: ‘So great is his courage,

None there is that can best him in encounter.’

Verses 29-31: He and Blancandrins plot against Roland

Said Blancandrins: ‘Noble knights are the Franks,

Yet these dukes and counts act very wrongly

Towards their master, in thus advising him;

For he, and others, they trouble and confound.’

Ganelon said: ‘In truth it rises from but one,

Roland alone, whom shame will yet seek out.

One morn, my king was seated in the shade,

His nephew came to him, all clad in brown.

Spoils he had gained, about Carcassonne;

And in his hand he held a crimson apple.

“Take this, fair Sire,” said Roland to his uncle,

“Of every prince, I bring you here the crown.”

His cursed pride will in the end confound him,

For every day he exposes himself to death.

Only when he is dead shall we have peace.’

Said Blancandrins: ‘Roland is most troubling,

Who’d make all men bow beneath the yoke,

And so challenges the peace of every land!

With what help does he pursue this same?’

Ganelon replied: ‘The Frankish noblemen.

They love him so, he’ll ne’er want for men.

Such gold and silver he showers upon them,

Mules and chargers, clothes, and silk carpets.

The king himself holds all due to his powers;

He’ll gain all realms, from here to the Orient.’

Ganelon and Blancandrins rode on together,

And, pledging friendship to one another,

Hatched a plan to do away with Roland.

The pair rode on so far, by road and path,

Near a cliff by Saragoza they descended,

Where a folding-stool stood beneath a pine.

And there, enveloped in Alexandrian silks,

Sat the king who ruled the whole of Spain,

With twenty thousand Saracens about him,

Though not a one of them uttered a word,

Wishing to hear what news there might be,

As Blancandrins and Ganelon came in sight.

Verses 32-36: Ganelon presents Charlemagne’s terms to Marsilius

Blancandrins took his stand before the monarch,

And, taking Count Ganelon by the hand,

Said to the king: ‘Mahound preserve you,

And Apollo, whose sacred laws hold here!

King Charlemagne received your message,

He raised his hands high towards the heavens,

In praise of his god, and said naught else.

I present to you one of his noble barons,

A wealthy man, who came here from France;

From him, hear if you’ll have peace or no.’

‘Speak,’ said Marsilius: ‘all shall hear you!’

But Count Ganelon reflected carefully,

And only then, most cautiously, he spoke,

Like a man that knows the path to take,

Saying to the King: ‘God preserve you,

The Glorious God, to whom we must pray.

Brave Charlemagne sends you this message:

You must receive the holy Christian faith,

And yield, in fee, half the lands of Spain.

If you choose not to accept these terms,

Seized by force, and then bound in chains,

You will be led before his throne at Aix,

To be judged, and so condemned to death,

There to die in wretchedness and shame.’

King Marsilius, gripped by momentary fear,

Seized a dart, fledged with golden feathers,

As if to hurl it, and then withdrew his arm.

He changed colour nonetheless, in anger,

Still gripping the dart tightly by its shaft.

Ganelon, on seeing this, set hand to sword,

Drew the blade, a mere two finger-widths,

And addressed it thus: ‘O, bright and brave!

We shall so bear ourselves before this king,

That the Emperor of France ne’er may say

That I died alone, in this foreign country,

Ere they had deemed you among the best.’

‘Seek not to prove the point!’ the pagans cried.

The nobler Saracens implored the king

To take his place on the seat once more.

Said the caliph: ‘You but harm our cause,

Seeking to wreak harm upon the Frank;

Better to hear what the man has to say.’

‘Sire,’ said Ganelon, ‘I’ll suffer, meekly;

Yet not for all the gold God has created,

Not for all the treasure in this very land,

Shall I fail to tell, if I am so permitted,

What my king, Charlemagne, commanded

That I should convey to his mortal enemy.’

Ganelon wore a cloak of Alexandrian silk

Lined with sable, which he now removed,

Leaving it in the hands of Blancandrins,

Yet declined to leave hold of his sword,

Grasping its hilt of gold in his right hand.

Cried the pagans: ‘A noble baron, is this.’

Ganelon drew closer to King Marsilius,

Saying: ‘Sire, your anger is all in error.

Charlemagne, who rules France, demands

Simply that you receive the Christian faith,

And half of Spain shall be your fiefdom.

The rest Roland, his nephew, will receive,

A proud partner, in him, you shall possess!

If you’ll not yield to Charlemagne’s wish,

Only then will he lay siege to Saragoza.

Seize you and then bind you hand and foot,

And bear you off to his royal seat at Aix.

But not on a charger, nor a sober palfrey,

Nor on a mule or donkey shall you ride,

But tied like a sack, on a beast of burden,

Once there you’ll be judged, and beheaded.

Such are the terms that our emperor offers.’

He placed the letter in the pagan’s hands.

Verses 37-38: He is drawn into close conversation

King Marsilius was consumed by anger.

He broke the seal, and hurled the wax aside,

Looked at the letter, and read the writing.

‘Charlemagne, who rules France, demands

That I acknowledge both his wrath and grief,

Regarding Basan, and his brother Basilies,

Whose heads I severed there at Haltilie.

If I wish to save my life, then he demands

That I send to him the caliph, my uncle,

Or he will withdraw his favour from me.’

His son then spoke thus to Marsilius:

Saying: ‘The messenger spoke recklessly,

His boldness such he should no longer live.

Leave him to me, and I’ll grant him justice.’

Ganelon, at this, unsheathed his sword,

And set his back against the pine-tree there.

The King now drew aside into the orchard,

Together with the noblest among his men;

The white-haired Blancandrins was there,

And Jurfaret, the monarch’s son and heir,

With the caliph, the king’s friend and uncle.

Said Blancandrins: ‘Speak yet to the Frank;

He has pledged to me that he will aid us.’

Marsilius replied: ‘Then bring him to us.’

Blancandrins took Ganelon’s right hand,

And led him through the orchard to the king.

There he planned with them vile treachery.

Verses 39-42: He is questioned regarding Charlemagne

‘Fair master Ganelon,’ said King Marsilius,

‘I treated you somewhat ill when you spoke,

In seeming to aim a blow at you, in anger.

An offering of sable furs may make amends;

Five hundred livres they are worth at least.

Tomorrow night, that gift you shall receive.’

Ganelon answered him: ‘I’ll not refuse it;

May it please the Lord to grant you mercy.’

Marsilius said: ‘Ganelon, to tell the truth,

I am disposed to find you to my liking.

I would hear you speak of Charlemagne.

He is very old, his time is well-nigh done.

Some say he has lived two hundred years!

He has led his armies through many lands,

And many a blow received upon his shield,

And many a rich king brought to beggary.

When will he cease to wage endless war?

Ganelon replied: ‘He is not one to do so.

There’s not a man that sees and knows him

That will not endorse the emperor’s courage.

No matter how I might praise the monarch,

His honour and virtues would merit more.

Who can measure the extent of his valour?

God has illumined him with such grace,

He'd rather die than quit the battlefield.’

The pagan says: ‘You make me wonder more

At Charlemagne, who’s old and white of hair.

Two hundred years or more he’s lived, they say!

Many the lands through which he’s led his host,

Many the blows from spear and lance he’s met,

Many a wealthy king he’s brought to poverty,

Again I ask, when will he cease from warring?’

‘Never,’ said Ganelon, ‘while his nephew lives.

There’s not such a knight as him neath the sky;

And his companion Oliver is well-skilled.

The Twelve Peers, whom the king holds so dear,

Act as his guards, with twenty thousand more.

Charles is secure, and looks on none fearfully.’

Said the Saracen: "My wonder is the greater,

At Charlemagne, who’s pallid and white-haired.

For two hundred years and more, so it seems,

He has gone forth, conquering many a land,

And many a blow received from pointed lance,

Many a rich king conquered in war, and slain.

When will he choose to shun the battlefield?’

‘Never,’ said Ganelon ‘while Roland lives,

From here to the Orient none can compare,

And Oliver his friend’s a most skilful knight.

The Twelve Peers, whom Charlemagne loves,

With twenty thousand Franks, guard the king.

Charlemagne is secure, and fears none living.’

Verses 43-47: Marsilius and Ganelon pledge to kill Roland

‘Fair master Ganelon,’ said King Marsilius,

‘Many knights have I, none finer ever seen.

Four hundred thousand such, I can muster.

May I not rout Charlemagne and his Franks?

Ganelon answered: ‘Not in this campaign!

Great would be the losses among your men.

Quit such foolishness, and hold to wisdom;

Gift the emperor such a wealth of treasure

That every Frank of his is lost in wonder.

Given you send him twenty noble hostages,

Charlemagne will return to fair France.

And his rearguard will follow on behind,

Led by his nephew, Count Roland, I deem,

And Oliver, that courteous, skilful knight.

Dead shall they be, if you place trust in me.

The emperor will see the pride of his host fall,

And lack the means to then make war on you.’

‘Fair master Ganelon,’ King Marsilius said,

‘How might I bring about Roland’s death?

Ganelon answered: ‘That I will make clear.

The King will cross by the best pass, Sizer,

Leaving a rearguard to defend his forces,

Led by, his nephew, this wealthy Roland,

And Oliver, in whom he places such faith,

With twenty thousand Franks in company.

Send a hundred thousand men against them,

Who may fall upon the unsuspecting Franks.

Their army will be bruised, and bled white,

Though, I dare say, many of yours will die.

Then let them face, at once, a second battle.

Of Roland and his like you’ll thus be free,

Having done a fair deed, on behalf of all.

Nor, in all your life, shall be at war again.

Could one be certain that Roland was slain,

Charlemagne’s right-hand man would be lost.

However wondrous the army that remained,

The king would ne’er again raise such a host.

The greater world would be at last, at peace.’

Marsilius, at this, kissed him about the neck,

Then made request upon his splendid treasury.

Said Marsilius: ‘Why needs discuss this more?

Such counsel is of no worth without an oath.

Swear treachery to Roland, while he yet lives.’

Ganelon answered: ‘Let it be, as you please.’

On the relics sealed in the sword, Murglies,

He swore treachery, and betrayed his trust.

A folding-stool stood there, made of ivory;

Marsilius had them place a book thereon,

That gave the law of Mahound and Tervagant.

On this, he swore, the Saracen king of Spain,

That should he find Roland in the rearguard,

He and all his men would move against him,

And attempt to slay him there, if they could.

Ganelon said: ‘May it be as you command!’

Verses 48-52: Ganelon receives various gifts, and departs

At once, a pagan, Valdabruns, came forward,

The commander of King Marsilius’ guard.

Smiling most warmly, he said to Ganelon:

‘Take my sword, for no man owns a finer;

A thousand coins went to create its hilt.

I offer it to you now, fair sir, in friendship.

Give us your help concerning this Roland,

That we may be sure to find him at the rear.’

Count Ganelon answered: ‘It shall be done.’

Then they kissed each other, on the mouth.

After him another, Climorins, approached.

Smiling most warmly, he said to Ganelon:

‘Take this my helm, none finer e’er was seen;

Grant your help, concerning Count Roland,

And ensure we bring dishonour upon him.’

Count Ganelon answered: ‘It shall be done.’

Then they kissed each other, on the mouth.

At once the queen appeared, Bramimunde.

‘I like you well, sir,’ she said to the count,

‘Since my lord, and all, hold you in regard.

I bring you two fair brooches, for your lady,

With amethysts and jacinths set in gold,

Worth more than is all the wealth of Rume;

Your emperor has none as rare as these.’

Ganelon received, and pocketed, the pair.

The king then called Malduit, his treasurer:

‘Is the tribute yet prepared for Charlemagne?’

He answered him: ‘Yes, Sire, and rich indeed;

Seven hundred camel loads of gold and silver,

And twenty hostages, sons born of the noblest.’

Marsilius clasped Ganelon round the shoulder,

And said to him: ‘You are both wise and bold.

Now, by the creed that you hold most sacred,

Let not your courage wane, nor from us stray.

I’d like to grant you riches from my store,

Some ten mule-loads of fine Arabian gold,

And look to do the same for you each year.

Take in your hand the keys to this great city,

And bear our noble tribute to Charlemagne;

Then ensure that Roland leads the rearguard.

If I find him in some pass, or narrow valley,

I’ll be sure to engage him in mortal battle.

Ganelon replied: ‘I must not linger, here!’

And, swiftly mounting, set forth on his way.

The End of ‘La Chanson de Roland: Part I’