ROLAND 41 Olivier ; Geoffrey of Anjou, the progenitor of the Plantagenets ; " and more than a thousand Franks of France." The Moslem knights are introduced to this coun- cil of war, King Marsil's offer is accepted, and Sir Ganelon is sent to Saragossa to represent the emperor. Jealous of Roland's military glory, and envious of the stores of pagan gold, the false Ganelon conspires with King Marsil to put the all-powerful Roland to death. King Marsil is assured that on receipt of the golden tribute, Charlemagne will be persuaded to leave Spain, while by the trai- tor's advice Roland will be appointed to remain behind and guard the rear of the retiring hosts. The scheme succeeded. Ganelon returned to the Prankish camp with the tribute-money for the emperor, and the traitor's gold for himself. The Franks begin their homeward march. They are now descending the mountains into their own fertile Gascon plains, and their hearts beat lightly, for " They think of their homes and their manors there, Their gentle spouses and damsels fair." But their great chief is silent and gloomy. Roland, the bravest of the brave, has been left behind with all the paladins, save Ganelon, beyond the gates of Spain. Last night the emperor dreamed he seemed to stand by Cizra's pass in Ronces- valles, when Ganelon appeared before him, wrenched the emperor's spear from t out his hand, waved it on high, then dashed it in pieces. What did it mean ? He remembered the ominous words of his peers, " Evil will come of this quest, we fear," and Ganelon's strange reply, " Ye shall hear." Meanwhile Sir Roland was far behind in Roncesvalles. He rode his gallant steed Veillantif ; his white pennon, fringed with gold and set with diamonds, sparkled in the sunshine ; and by his side he wore his famous sword Durindana, with its hilt of gold shaped like a cross, on which was graven the name of " Jesus." What a glorious picture of the Christian hero of mediaeval times ! With him were Olivier, the good Archbishop Turpin, and the remaining knights who made up the Order of the Paladins of Charlemagne, together with an army of 20,000 men. The drums beat to arms in Saragossa's town, the tambours roll, the tabors sound, and 400,000 men attend the call of King Marsil. From a neighboring height Sir Olivier observes this countless host approaching. He calls to Roland to blow his ivory horn and bring back the emperor. Roland refuses, and the Franks prepare to fight ; not, however, before on bended knee they receive the archbishop's benediction and a promise of paradise to all who die in this holy war against the pagan foe. With the old French battle-cry, " Mont-joie ! Mont- joie !" the Christians dash the rowels into their steeds and close with the enemy. Homer does not relate a bloodier fight than that which follows, and which takes eighty-six stanzas, or fifty of Mr. O'Hagan's pages, to describe. Again and again the Christians charge the Saracens. What deeds the great sword Durin- dana did that day ! The slain lie in thousands; the Saracens flee; and in the pursuit all are killed save one, who reaches Saragossa. The triumph, however, is short-lived ; Ganelon ha'd decreed that Roland must die, and so a mightier
