The poem is evidently based on popular songs which no longer exist.  It consists of 4002 verses, written in langue d’oil, grouped in stanzas or “laisses” of irregular length, in the heroic pentameter, having the same assonant rhyme, and each ending with “aoi,” a word no one has succeeded in translating satisfactorily.  It was so popular that it was translated into Latin and German (1173-1177), and our version may 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 the Saracen’s offers of submission should be met half-way, and,