The emperor bowed his head the while he thought upon
the purport of the message; for he never spake a hasty
word, and never went back from a word once spoken.
Having mused awhile he raised his head and answered,
“The King Marsilius is greatly my enemy.
In what manner shall I be assured that he will keep
his covenant?” The messengers said, “Great
king, we offer hostages of good faith, the children
of our noblest. Take ten or twenty as it seemeth
good to thee; but treat them tenderly, for verily
at the feast of St. Michael our king will redeem his
pledge, and come to Aachen to be baptized and pay his
homage and his tribute.”
Then the king commanded a pavilion to be spread wherein
to lodge them for the night. On the morrow, after
they had taken their journey home, he called his barons
to him and showed them after what manner the messengers
had spoken, and asked their counsel.
With one voice the Franks answered, “Beware
of King Marsilius.”
Then spake Roland and said, “Parley not with
him, trust him not. Remember how he took and
slew Count Basant and Count Basil, the messengers
whom we sent to him aforetime on a peaceful errand.
Seven years have we been in Spain, and now only Zaragoz
holds out against us. Finish what has been so
long a-doing and is well nigh done. Gather the
host; lay siege to Zaragoz with all thy might, and
conquer the last stronghold of the pagans; so win
Spain, and end this long and weary war.”
But Ganelon drew near to the king and spake:
“Heed not the counsel of any babbler, unless
it be to thine own profit. What has Marsilius
promised? Will he not give up his gods, himself,
his service and his treasure? Could man ask more?
Could we get more by fighting him? How glorious
would it be to go to war with a beaten man who offers
thee his all! How wise to wage a war to win what
one can get without! Roland is wholly puffed
up with the pride of fools. He counsels battle
for his glory’s sake. What careth he how
many of us be slain in a causeless fight, if he can
win renown? Roland is a brave man; brave enough
and strong enough to save his skin, and so is reckless
of our lives.”
Then said Duke Naymes (a better vassal never stood
before a king), “Ganelon has spoken well, albeit
bitterly. Marsilius is altogether vanquished,
and there is no more glory in fighting him. Spurn
not him who sues at thy feet for pity. Make peace,
and let this long war end.” And all the
Franks answered, “The counsel is good.”
So Charles said, “Who will go up to Zaragoz
to King Marsilius, and bear my glove and staff and
make the covenant with him?”
Duke Naymes said straightway, “I will go;”
but the king answered, “Nay, thou shalt not
go. Thou art my right hand in counsel and I cannot
spare thee.” Then said Roland, “Send
me.” But Count Oliver, his dear companion,
said, “What! send thee upon a peaceful errand?
Hot-blooded as thou art, impatient of all parleying?
Nay, good Roland, thou wouldst spoil any truce.
Let the king send me.”
