y be
the very song sung by Taillefer at the battle of Hastings in 1066.

It has inspired many poets, and Roland's death has been sung again by
Goethe, Schiller, Pulci, Boiardo, Ariosto, Berni, Bornier, etc.
History claims that French armies, once in the reign of Dagobert and
once in that of Charlemagne, were attacked and slaughtered in the
Pyrenees, but not by the Saracens. Besides, Charlemagne's secretary,
Eginhart, briefly mentions in his chronicles that in 778, Roland,
prefect of the Marches of Brittany, was slain there.[9] Although the
remainder of the story has no historical basis, the song of Roland is
a poetical asset we would not willingly relinquish.

PART I. A COUNCIL HELD BY KING MARSILE AT SARAGOSSA.--The Song of
Roland opens with the statement that, after spending seven years in
Spain, Charlemagne is master of all save the city of Saragossa.

The king, our Emperor Carlemaine,
Hath been for seven full years in Spain.
From highland to sea hath he won the land;
City was none might his arm withstand;
Keep and castle alike went down--
Save Saragossa the mountain town.[10]

It is in Saragossa that King Marsile, holding an open-air council,
informs his followers he no longer has men to oppose to the French.
When he inquires what he shall do, the wisest of his advisers suggests
that, when might fails, craft can gain the day. Therefore, he moots
sending gifts to Charlemagne, with a promise to follow him to France
to do homage and receive baptism. Even should Charlemagne exact
hostages, this councillor volunteers to give his own son, arguing it
is better a few should fall than Spain be lost forever. This advice is
adopted by Marsile, who then despatches bearers of olive branches and
gifts to Charlemagne.

_Council held by Charlemagne at Cordova._ The Saracen emissaries find
the French emperor seated on a golden throne in an orchard, his peers
around him, watching the martial games of fifty thousand warriors.
After receiving Marsile's message, Charlemagne dismisses the
ambassadors for the night, promising answer on the morrow. When he
bids his courtiers state their opinions, Roland impetuously declares
that, as Marsile has tricked them once, it would not become them to
believe him now. His step-father, Ganelon, thereupon terms him a
hot-headed young fool, and avers he prizes his own glory more than his
fellow-men's lives. The wisest among Charlemagne's advisers, however,
Duke Naimes, argues that th