When Count Roland knew what was proposed concerning him, he spake out as a true knight should speak “I am right thankful to you, my father-in-law, that you have caused me to be put in this place.  Of a truth the King of France shall lose nothing by my means, neither charger, nor mule, nor packhorse, nor beast of burden.”

Then Roland turned to the King and said, “Give me twenty thousand only, so they be men of valour, and I will keep the passes in all safety.  So long as I shall live, you need fear no man.”

Then Roland mounted his horse.  With him were Oliver his comrade, and Otho and Berenger, and Gerard of Roussillon, an aged warrior, and others, men of renown.  And Turpin the Archbishop cried, “By my head, I will go also.”  So they chose twenty thousand warriors with whom to keep the passes.

Meanwhile King Charles had entered the valley of Roncesvalles.  High were the mountains on either side of the way, and the valleys were gloomy and dark.  But when the army had passed through the valley, they saw the fair land of Gascony, and as they saw it they thought of their homes and their wives and daughters.  There was not one of them but wept for very tenderness of heart.  But of all that company there was none sadder than the King himself, when he thought how he had left his nephew Count Roland behind him in the passes of Spain.

And now the Saracen King Marsilas began to gather his army.  He laid a strict command on all his nobles and chiefs that they should bring with them to Saragossa as many men as they could gather together.  And when they were come to the city, it being the third day from the issuing of the King’s command, they saluted the great image of Mahomet, the false prophet, that stood on the topmost tower.  This done they went forth from the city gates.  They made all haste, marching across the mountains and valleys of Spain till they came in sight of the standard of France, where Roland and Oliver and the Twelve Peers were ranged in battle array.

The Saracen champions donned their coats of mail, of double substance most of them, and they set upon their heads helmets of Saragossa of well tempered metal, and they girded themselves with swords of Vienna.  Fair were their shields to view, their lances were from Valentia, their standards were of white, blue, and red.  Their mules they left with the servants, and, mounting their chargers, so moved forwards.  Fair was the day and bright the sun, as their armour flashed in the light and the drums were beaten so loudly that the Frenchmen heard the sound.

Said Oliver to Roland, “Comrade, methinks we shall soon do battle with the Saracens.”  “God grant it,” answered Roland. “’Tis our duty to hold the place for the King, and we will do it, come what may.  As for me, I will not set an ill example.”

Oliver climbed to the top of a hill, and saw from thence the whole army of the heathen.  He cried to Roland his companion, “I see the flashing of arms.  We men of France shall have no small trouble therefrom.  This is the doing of Ganelon the traitor.”