Hero-Myths & Legends of the British Race Part 14

Charlemagne was in an orchard with his Twelve Peers and fifteen thousand veteran warriors of France. The messengers from the heathen king reached this orchard and asked for the emperor; their gaze wandered over groups of wise n.o.bles playing at chess, and groups of gay youths fencing, till at last it rested on a throne of solid gold, set under a pine-tree and overshadowed with eglantine. There sat Charles, the king who ruled fair France, with white flowing beard and h.o.a.ry head, stately of form and majestic of countenance. No need was there of usher to cry: "Here sits Charles the King."

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Here sits Charles the King"]

The amba.s.sadors greeted Charlemagne with all honour, and Blancandrin opened the emba.s.sy thus:

"Peace be with you from G.o.d the Lord of Glory whom you adore! Thus says the valiant King Marsile: He has been instructed in your faith, the way of salvation, and is willing to be baptized; but you have been too long in our bright Spain, and should return to Aix. There will he follow you and become your va.s.sal, holding the kingdom of Spain at your hand. Gifts have we brought from him to lay at your feet, for he will share his treasures with you!"

He is Perplexed

Charlemagne raised his hands in thanks to G.o.d, but then bent his head and remained thinking deeply, for he was a man of prudent mind, cautious and far-seeing, and never spoke on impulse. At last he said proudly: "Ye have spoken fairly, but Marsile is my greatest enemy: how can I trust your words?"

Blancandrin replied: "He will give hostages, twenty of our n.o.blest youths, and my own son will be among them. King Marsile will follow you to the wondrous springs of Aix-la-Chapelle, and on the feast of St. Michael will receive baptism in your court."

Thus the audience ended. The messengers were feasted in a pavilion raised in the orchard, and the night pa.s.sed in gaiety and good-fellowship.

He Consults his Twelve Peers

In the early morning Charlemagne arose and heard Ma.s.s; then, sitting beneath a pine-tree, he called the Twelve Peers to council. There came the twelve heroes, chief of them Roland and his loyal brother-in-arms Oliver; there came Archbishop Turpin; and, among a thousand loyal Franks, there came Ganelon the traitor. When all were seated in due order Charlemagne began:

"My lords and barons, I have received an emba.s.sy of peace from King Marsile, who sends me great gifts and offers, but on condition that I leave Spain and return to Aix. Thither will he follow me, to receive the Faith, become a Christian and my va.s.sal. Is he to be trusted?"

"Let us beware," cried all the Franks.

Roland Speaks

Roland, ever impetuous, now rose without delay, and spoke: "Fair uncle and sire, it would be madness to trust Marsile. Seven years have we warred in Spain, and many cities have I won for you, but Marsile has ever been treacherous. Once before when he sent messengers with olive-branches you and the French foolishly believed him, and he beheaded the two counts who were your amba.s.sadors to him. Fight Marsile to the end, besiege and sack Saragossa, and avenge those who perished by his treachery."

Ganelon Objects

Charlemagne looked out gloomily from under his heavy brows, he twisted his moustache and pulled his long white beard, but said nothing, and all the Franks remained silent, except Ganelon, whose hostility to Roland showed clearly in his words:

"Sire, blind credulity were wrong and foolish, but follow up your own advantage. When Marsile offers to become your va.s.sal, to hold Spain at your hand and to take your faith, any man who urges you to reject such terms cares little for our death! Let pride no longer be your counsellor, but hear the voice of wisdom."

The aged Duke Naimes, the Nestor of the army, spoke next, supporting Ganelon: "Sire, the advice of Count Ganelon is wise, if wisely followed. Marsile lies at your mercy; he has lost all, and only begs for pity. It would be a sin to press this cruel war, since he offers full guarantee by his hostages. You need only send one of your barons to arrange the terms of peace."

This advice pleased the whole a.s.sembly, and a murmur was heard: "The Duke has spoken well."

"Who Shall Go to Saragossa?"

"'My lords and peers, whom shall we send To Saragossa to Marsile?'

'Sire, let me go,' replied Duke Naimes; 'Give me your glove and warlike staff.'

'No!' cried the king, 'my counsellor, Thou shalt not leave me unadvised-- Sit down again; I bid thee stay.'

"'My lords and peers, whom shall we send To Saragossa to Marsile?'

'Sire, I can go,' quoth Roland bold.

'That canst thou not,' said Oliver; 'Thy heart is far too hot and fierce-- I fear for thee. But I will go, If that will please my lord the King.'

'No!' cried the king, 'ye shall not go.

I swear by this white flowing beard No peer shall undertake the task.'

"'My lords and peers, whom shall we send?'

Archbishop Turpin rose and spoke: 'Fair sire, let me be messenger.

Your n.o.bles all have played their part; Give me your glove and warlike staff, And I will show this heathen king In frank speech how a true knight feels.'

But wrathfully the king replied: 'By this white beard, thou shalt not go!

Sit down, and raise thy voice no more.'"

Roland Suggests Ganelon

"Knights of France," quoth Charlemagne, "choose me now one of your number to do my errand to Marsile, and to defend my honour valiantly, if need be."

"Ah," said Roland, "then it must be Ganelon, my stepfather; for whether he goes or stays, you have none better than he!"

This suggestion satisfied all the a.s.sembly, and they cried: "Ganelon will acquit himself right manfully. If it please the King, he is the right man to go."

Charlemagne thought for a moment, and then, raising his head, beckoned to Ganelon. "Come hither, Ganelon," he said, "and receive this glove and staff, which the voice of all the Franks gives to thee."

Ganelon is Angry

"No," replied Ganelon, wrathfully. "This is the work of Roland, and I will never forgive him, nor his friends, Oliver and the other Peers.

Here, in your presence, I bid them defiance!"

"Your anger is too great," said Charlemagne; "you will go, since it is my will also."

"Yes, I shall go, but I shall perish as did your two former amba.s.sadors. Sire, forget not that your sister is my wife, and that Baldwin, my son, will be a valiant champion if he lives. I leave to him my lands and fiefs. Sire, guard him well, for I shall see him no more."

"Your heart is too tender," said Charlemagne. "You must go, since such is my command."

He Threatens Roland

Ganelon, in rage and anguish, glared round the council, and his face drew all eyes, so fiercely he looked at Roland.

"Madman," said he, "all men know that I am thy stepfather, and for this cause thou hast sent me to Marsile, that I may perish! But if I return I will be revenged on thee."

"Madness and pride," Roland retorted, "have no terrors for me; but this emba.s.sy demands a prudent man not an angry fool: if Charles consents, I will do his errand for thee."

"Thou shalt not. Thou art not my va.s.sal, to do my work, and Charles, my lord, has given me his commands. I go to Saragossa; but there will I find some way to vent my anger."

Now Roland began to laugh, so wild did his stepfather's threats seem, and the laughter stung Ganelon to madness. "I hate you," he cried to Roland; "you have brought this unjust choice on me." Then, turning to the emperor: "Mighty lord, behold me ready to fulfil your commands."

But is Sent