Tammy’s Reviews > The Song of Roland > Status Update

239-243 His horse makes four leaps and then men are inspired. Now the vanguards of both forces face each other. The French let loose the bridles and spurs on the horses. A French leader takes out a pagan leader and the French shout, “God be on our side!” They do not want to fail Charlemagne. The next French leader makes a clean hit; they are even more encouraged. The emir’s son flings one corpse after another.

238-239 A glittering array of arms is on the open plain. The emir tells his brother to search for Charlemagne. The emir spots the emperor in the rear ranks alongside a bunch of older men. The emir shakes his spears and commands his men to come for he’s off to fight the foe. Charlemagne sees the vast host filling the countryside, led by a dragon pennon. He basically said that if God be for us, who can be against us?

233-235 The emir forms TEN MORE columns. Some are desert, wild, repulsive scamps. Then, he forms TEN MORE columns that include giants and men who have no love for God. A great host is assembled on both sides, eager for war. The emir’s standard has a dragon, the symbol of their unholy trinity. The emir calls for them to fall down prostrate to pray. The French shout that the dogs will die for they fight in God’s name.

231-232 He assigns the Persian and Lycian kings to him. The emir will give his son land if he beats the braggarts. The son thanks him but the poet says he’ll never see the land. The emir forms his men into columns and it is a great show of knighthood. The poet mirros the structure shared before and lists by land every column of Mahommedan forces. The emir takes a great oath that Charlemagne will lose his head.

229-231 The emir’s son says he’ll be shocked if Charlemagne shows. The emir says if he does, he’ll lose without Roland by his side. He recounts what happened the day before: R and O and the twelve peers die as well as 20K of their best fighters. He has already received the scout’s report who expects the French and allies to fight well. The emir’s son asks to fight first and his father lets him.

227-229 Scouts report that the French army is strong and ready to fight. The emir thinks it is brave, and he tells the pagans to sound the clarion. The pagans arm themselves. The emir wears gilded armor with gems, and he is proud of his gear. His spear and blade have names. He thinks Charlemagne is a fool. The emir looks noble. He is wise in council and stubborn in battle. His son is worthy on praise.

226-227 Charlemagne faces the sunrise and kneels. He reminds God receiving succor in the whale, Daniel in the lion's den, and his three friends in the furnace. He asks that Roland will be avenged if it pleases God. He rises and makes the sign of the cross. He is a changed man, and I wonder if Gabriel's vigil helped. The olifant is spending. They leave the mountain pass and march into the Spanish plain

223-225 The eighth colum is from Flemings and Frisia, another 40K. The ninth column is from Lorraine and Burgundy, this time 50K, with spears that are short but strong. The tenth is huge! The best captains belong to the 100K men. They may be grizzled and grey-bearded but they shout, “Mountjoy!” Geoffrey raises the Oriflamme, a blood-red banner flown from a gilded lance. It was said to flame and drive out Saracens.

218-222 Each column has 20K men. Two columns are French. One is Bavarian and Charlemagne believes they will never break. The fourth is formed of Germans (Alymayne) who are well-furnished. The fifth is made of Normans, well-horsed and well-harnessed. The sixth column is men of Brittany, 30K men with painted spears and bright pennons. Naimon forms a seventhg with 40K knights from Auvergne and Poitou.

216-217 Charlemagne sees the assembly of French who are eager to avenge Roland and his men. He makes a comment about making the pagans pay and Duke Naimon adds, “God grant it so I pray!” He nominates two men to take the place of R and O, one with the sword and one with the Olifant. They are to lead the van of 15K men, all brave bachelors. He selects the leaders of a second band of 15K men. Naimon marshal the columns.