Part 12 Summary

Stanza 128 - Seeing his army decimated, Roland asks Oliver for advice, wishing that Charles were there to help him and wondering how to call him back. Oliver quotes what he said earlier in Stanza 86, "Better to die than learn to live with shame."

Stanzas 129, 130 - Roland, apparently completely unaware of the irony in Oliver's words, prepares to sound the horn that will summon help from Charles. Oliver reminds him that he said earlier that summoning help would mean dishonor, that he suggested three times that Roland summon help and three times Roland refused, and that if Roland wants to call for help now Oliver will not consent. Roland says the battle has become a war, and resolves to sound the horn. Oliver tells him he'll disgrace himself, reminds him again that he refused earlier, and swears that because of the way he behaved...