Status Updates From The Song of Roland

100-103 Some guy from Bourdeaux kills his man; he tells the devil to take him. Another of the twelve kills a pagan and delivers his line. It’s just as I thought. They’re going after the twelve pagans and ten are dead. Only two are left. One is quite strong and he sets his sights on Olver. I wonder if this will drive Roland to sound his horn. Oliver’s shield is broken but his ribs are not touched. Here it comes.

98-99 Samson goes runs through Almanzor and the archbishop comments on his valor. It’s almost as if the Twelve French are going after the Twelve pages, but then the numbers will overwhelm them. It’s part of the structure of doubles and repetition as well as to show how superior the French are as individuals. Another of the twelve goes down and Roland comments on how valiant he is.

95-97 A Barbary king talks about French having weak numbers. Since Charles can’t come, they will die today. This ticks off the archbishop who takes care of the Barbary king in short order. He cries the French will not flee and he rallies the men with “Mountjoy!” One of the twelve kills a pagan and SATAN hauls his soul away. This reminds me of “The Iliad.” His buddy kills the emir. Oliver notes how well they’re doing.

93-94 One pagan taunts Roland and says that Charlemagne is betrayed and he will lose his right arm (just like the dream). Roland rages on him and he never speaks another word. Roland does not tolerate insults to his uncle. He cries that right is on their side. Marsilion’s brother mourns this death and he goes into battle. Wrath fills Oliver who takes care of this man. More “Mountjoy” cries sound.

91-92 My heart goes out to him. He knows they are going to die but he speaks to them with courtesy. He has to speak softly. He knows that it’s his fault. Oliver has nothing to say. He’s angry and he feels sorry for Charlemagne who would have bailed them out had he known. He tells the men to be resolute and hit with firm blows. They give the war-cry “Mountjoy!” They charge and hand-to-hand combat begins.

89-91 They kneel and bow their heads and the archbishop confers a blessing. Their penance is to strike firmly. WOW They leap to their steeds. Before they go, Roland admits the truth to Oliver. Ganelon sold them out for gold and treasure. He’s counting on Charlemagne to avenge their deaths. It might be a sleeping giant moment. His face changes expressions: meek and mild to his men and proud and tough to the Saracens.

87-89 Roland calls him a coward. He sees the hord and says brave words because he knows they’re all going to die. The archbishop gives a death for king and country speech. It’s one thing to give up one’s life for a cause. It’s another to give it up because of a bad decision made by a leader. He gives them absolution before they go into battle. They will need it for they are joining the white-robed army of martyrs.

85-87 It’s all pride! A third time, Oliver asks for Oliphant to be sounded. Roland does not want anyone to accuse him of blowing the horn (it’s too wimpy). Oliver points out that nobody will question them but he thinks he will defame France by using it. He is playing into Ganelon’s trap. As the pagans close in, Oliver tells Roland what he thinks. It’s a lost cause. They are all going to die because of Roland’s pride.

82-84 Oliver sees they face an impossible task and they will need God’s strength. The French numbers are small and they have never faced such a task. He asks Roland to sound the horn to alert Charlemagne to their dire situation. Roland refuses to admit that they are outnumbered. The name of the horn is Oliphant (LotR)!!!!! Roland thinks it will dishonor his house to ask for help and he makes more bragging boasts.

79-82 The French hear the trumpets. Oliver comments that they will battle today. Roland says the Mohammedans are in the wrong and Christians are in the right. He’s putting God to the test! Oliver figures it out. Ganelon has betrayed them because he sees what really happened to the 400,000 men. Roland tells him not to gossip about his stepfather. There are too many for Oliver to count. They are ready for battle.

77-79 He boasts that the old greybeard (Charlemagne) will weep and they will take France. Some brute with unshorn hair that trails the ground. He’s from the land of fiends where nothing can grown because it’s always dark. He also wants blood. He’s the last of the Twelve. In a pine grove they arm themselves. They tighten up their body armor and mount their steeds. Their gear glistens. A thousand trumpets sound

74-77 He says Mohammed > St. Peter. He offers his sword. He wants to cause grief to Charlemagne. A saracen wants to behead Roland and knock off the others’ crests. Few worthy French men will be left. Two foul felons want to dye their blades red with the hot blood of French men. It’s as a game. A handsome, chivalrous pagan knight from Seville makes all the ladies swoon. He shows his sword which he too will dye red.

71-74 This reminds me of Elrond’s Council. A king who knows magic volunteers. A swift runner says he’ll run swifter than steeds to go. An emir who has the presence of the most noble knight vows to kill them. After the French dies, Charlemagne the old dotard will do nothing. Another braggart (one of the worst villains) threatens to kill Roland with his own hand. One count hates Christians and kills for that reason.

69-70 M’s nephew is a braggart like Roland. He tells M that he has worked long and hard for this and he has first dibs on Roland. Everything is about him. If Mohammed grants him favor, HE (the nephew) will set Spain free. Charlemagne will lose heart. M gives him the glove. He proudly thanks his uncle for the glove. Like Gandalf matching 9 to 9 in LotR, he wants to match the 12. M’s brother is the first to volunteer.

67-68 Charlemagne is distraught because he believes an angel gave him a warning in his dream that Ganelon is not to be trusted. He fears Roland and all those men will die. Roland was too proud to ask for more help. Everyone now sees the situation for what it is. They let Marsilion’s treasure beguile them. After paying homage to their idol, the pagans marched and now the French are in sight.

64-66 Out of pride, Roland says he only needs a thousand score (20,000). Lots of men are picked and their names come in pairs. Many volunteer. He tells Water to hold the gorges and heights. Walter is known for handling tough jobs like this. All day they pass through the gate and many men weep at the sight of France They remember their loved ones. Charlemagne weeps for the men in the rearguard.

60-63 In his heart Roland rages since it’s a set up. He mocks Ganelon because the wand was dropped by Charlemagne so that he had to pick it off the ground. R asks for Charlemagne’s bow and he will not lose it. Meanwhile Charlemagne blubs. Naimon realizes that Roland is in a tight spot and advises to give him the bow and as much support as possible. Is Charlemagne like Theoden? The king offers him half his army.

57-59 A leopard speeds from Ardennes in a range and reaches Charlemagne. He bites bear’s right ear off and the two animals fight. It’s hard to see who is the victor. He sleeps on. The next day he asks who should take the rearguard and Ganelon nominates Roland because of his boldness. HELLO? What about the vanguard? Some Dane due to his prowess. Roland brags that he’s so fine not one horse or mule will be lost.

55-57 Roland corded the pennon to his lancehead. Does that mean peace? The French quarter themselves while 400,000 pagans march fully armed. They hide in a thicket on top of a mountain. In a dream, the emperor stands at Sizer Gate, holding a lance. Ganelon grabs it and it breaks and its fragments fly away. He keeps sleeping! In a second dream, he is in Aix at chapel and a bear sinks its teeth in his right arm!

54-55 Liar! Liar! Pants on fire! G apologizes for the caliph not coming but says he saw with his own eyes the caliph lead 400,000 men march to the sea because they refuse to convert. A sudden tempest whipped up and drowned them all. M plans to march to France within the month. Charlemagne blesses the name of God and offers to reward G. He ends his warfare and they all turn home to France.

47-51 M’s men swears upon their gods’ laws to find Roland and kill him. G says to make it so. A pagan, Valdebron, tells G to take his sword out of affection and they kiss each other cheek to cheek. Another pagan, Climborin, gives him his helmet and they kiss. Change of IDENTITY! The queen butters him up and gives him jewels for his wife. He puts that in his pocket. The treasurer has gifts for Charlemagne prepared.

52-54 M promises G treasures and gives him the keys to the city. He instructs G to do as they agreed. Eager G says he’s wasting his time, gets on his horse, and goes. Charlemagne arrives in Gayne. He and his men wait for Ganelon who arrives at dawn the next day. The emperor said matins and mass and waits with R, O, Naimon, and others. The traitor arrives. He presents the keys to Saragossa and lies about its meaning.

44-46 He knows who will guard the pass and suggests 100,000 pagans will do the trick. He predicts a lot of loss on the pagans side, but, if they kill Roland and his men, it will be enough to have peace. If Roland dies, the French will melt away and Charlemagne will not be able to gather such a large host. Marsilion opened up his treasure chest. Hello? JUDAS? He asks G to swear on his good sword Murgleys.

42-44 M marvels at Charlemagne’s endurance and repeats what he just said. Then he gets to the point. He says how many he has and asks if he can take on the French. G tells him no and suggest sending treasure and 20 men for sureties. He predicts that Roland, Oliver, and the Twelve Peers will take the rearguard. If they attack them, Charlemagne will not have the heart to fight. G suggests attacking at Sizer Gate.