The Song of Roland Quotes

“Mea Culpa! God, by Thy Virtues clean”
― Unknown, The Song of Roland

“CXLI”
― Unknown, The Song of Roland

“souls redeem for Paradise!
  And let you there mid holy flowers lie!
  Better vassals than you saw never I.
  Ever you've served me, and so long a time,
  By you Carlon hath conquered kingdoms wide;
  That Emperour reared you for evil plight!
  Douce land of France, o very precious clime,
  Laid desolate by such a sour exile!
  Barons of France, for me I've seen you die,
  And no support, no warrant could I find;
  God be your aid, Who never yet hath lied!
  I must not fail now, brother, by your side;
  Save I be slain, for sorrow shall I die.
  Sir companion, let us again go”
― Unknown, The Song of Roland

“And let you there mid holy flowers lie!
  Better vassals than you saw never I.
  Ever you've served me, and so long a time,
  By you Carlon hath conquered kingdoms wide;
  That Emperour reared you for evil plight!
  Douce land of France, o very precious clime,
  Laid desolate by such a sour exile!
  Barons of France, for me I've seen you die,
  And no support, no warrant could I find;
  God be your aid, Who never yet hath lied!
  I must not fail now, brother, by your side;
  Save I be slain, for sorrow shall I die.
  Sir companion, let us again go strike!"
CXLI The count Rollanz, back to the field then hieing
  Holds Durendal, and like a vassal striking
  Faldrun of Pui has through the middle sliced,
  With twenty-four of all they rated highest;
  Was never man, for vengeance shewed such liking.
  Even as a stag before the hounds goes flying,
  Before Rollanz the pagans scatter, frightened.
  Says the Archbishop: "You deal now very wisely!
  Such valour should he shew that is bred knightly,
  And beareth arms, and a good charger rideth;
  In battle should be strong and proud and sprightly;
  Or otherwise he is not worth a shilling,
  Should be a monk in one of those old minsters,
  Where, day, by day, he'ld pray for us poor sinners."
  Answers Rollant: "Strike on; no quarter give them!"
  Upon these words Franks are again beginning;
  Very great loss they suffer then, the Christians.
CXLII The man who knows, for him there's no prison,
  In such a fight with keen defence lays on;
  Wherefore the Franks are fiercer than lions.
  Marsile you'd seen go as a brave baron,
  Sitting his horse, the which he calls Gaignon;
  He spurs it well, going to strike Bevon,
  That was the lord of Beaune and of Dijon,
  His shield he breaks, his hauberk has undone,
  So flings him dead, without condition;
  Next he hath slain Yvoerie and Ivon,
  Also with them Gerard of Russillon.
  The count Rollanz, being not far him from,
  To th'pagan says: "Confound thee our Lord God!
  So wrongfully you've slain my companions,
  A blow you'll take, ere we apart be gone,”
― Unknown, The Song of Roland