🧚 How Ganelon Went on an Errand to King Marsilas · page 2

Then stood up the Duke of Bavaria; snowy white was his beard and hair.68 King Charles had no better counsellor than he. "69 Sire," said he, "Ganelon has given you good advice.70 You will do well to follow it.71 You have conquered King Marsilas in this war, taken his castles, broken down his walls, burnt his towns, and put his armies to flight.72 Now he begs for mercy from you.73 Surely 'twere a crime to ask too much.74 Remember, too, that he is ready to give you hostages.75 Send one of your nobles to treat with him, for indeed it is time this war should have an end."76 So spake the Duke of Bavaria, and all the men of France cried out, "The Duke has spoken well."77

"But," said King Charles, "whom shall we send?" "78 I will go," answered the Duke, "if it so please you.79 Give me the gauntlet and the staff an ambassador should have." "80 Not so," said King Charles, "you shall not go.81 I would not have so wise a counsellor so far away.82 Sit you down. '83 Tis my command"; and he spake again, "Whom shall we send to King Marsilas, my lords?" "84 I will go," cried Count Roland. "85 Nay," said Oliver, "you are of too fiery and fierce a spirit.86 I fear that you would but ill-manage such a business. '87 Tis better that I should go, if it so please the King." "88 Be silent, both of you," said the King, "neither of you shall have a hand in this matter.89 By this white beard of mine, I declare that no one of the Twelve Peers shall go on this embassage."90

Then stood up Turpin the Archbishop. "91 Sire," said he, "you have been in this land of Spain now seven years, and your nobles have suffered for your sake many labours and sorrows.92 Give me the gauntlet and the staff; I will go to this Saracen, and say somewhat to him after my own fashion."93

But Charles answered him in great anger. "94 By this beard you shall not do it.95 Sit you down again, and speak not till I bid you.96 And now," he went on, "my lords, choose you for yourselves one who shall go on this errand.97 Let him be a man of counsel, who can deal a blow also, if need should be."98

Then said the Count Roland: "Whom should we choose but Ganelon?99 You cannot find a better than he."100 And all the men of France cried: "It is right that he should go, if the King will have it so."101

Said King Charles to Ganelon: "Come hither, Ganelon, and take this gauntlet and this staff.102 The voice of the men of France has chosen you.103 You heard it."104 But Ganelon liked not the matter at all. "105 This is Roland's doing," he cried. "106 Never, so long as I live, will I love Roland again, no, nor Oliver, for that he is Roland's friend, nor any one of the Twelve Peers, for that they also love Roland.107 Here, under your eyes, Sir King, I defy them all." "108 It profits not to be angry," cried King Charles. "109 If I bid you, you must go."110

"Yes," answered Ganelon; "I perceive that I must go to Saragossa, and he that goes thither comes not back.111 Remember, Sire, that I have your sister to wife.112 We have one son; a fairer child you could not see.113 One day, so he live, he will be a gallant knight.114 I leave him my lands.115 Have a care for him, I entreat you, for I shall never see him more." "116 You have too soft a heart," said King Charles. "117 If I bid you, you must go."118

Ganelon was in great trouble of mind.119 He turned him to Roland, and said, "What means your wrath against me? '120 Tis you, as all men know, that have put on me this errand to King Marsilas. '121 Tis well.122 But know that if God suffer me to return, I will bring upon you such trouble and sorrow that you shall remember it all the days of your life." "123 This is but folly," answered Roland. "124 All the world knows that I care nothing for your threats.125 Nevertheless, seeing that there is need of a wise man to take this message of the King's, I am ready to go in your stead."126

"You shall not go," answered Ganelon. "127 You are not my vassal, nor am I your lord.128 I will go to Saragossa, to King Marsilas.129 But be sure that there will be something wherewith I may solace myself."130 When Roland heard this he laughed aloud, and Ganelon grew so full of anger that his heart was fain to burst. "131 I hate you," said he to Roland,--"I hate you! for you have made this evil choice light on me."132 But to Charles he said. "133 Behold me, Sire, I am ready to do your will."134

"Ganelon," said the King, "listen to me.135 Say to King Marsilas, that if he will come and own himself to be my vassal and receive holy baptism, I will give him half the kingdom of Spain; the other half is for Count Roland.136 But if he will not do this thing, then I will lay siege to his city of Saragossa, and when I shall have taken it I will bring him by force to my city of Aachen, and will pass judgment on him and he shall end his days in sorrow and shame.137 Take this letter, which bears my seal, and give it into the King's right hand."138 So saying he reached out the gauntlet to Ganelon with his right hand.139 But when Ganelon reached out and would have taken it, it fell to the ground. "140 This is an ill starting," said the men of France, "this message will be the beginning of many troubles." "141 You shall hear of them in good time," answered Ganelon.142 To King Charles he said, "Sire, give me leave to depart, since I must needs go, 'twere well to lose no time." "143 Go," said the King, "for our Lord Christ's honour and for mine."144 And with his right hand he made the sign of the cross, and gave him absolution.145 At the same time he gave him the ambassador's staff and the letter.146

Then Ganelon went to his house and clad himself in his finest armour.147 On his feet he fixed his spurs of gold, and by his side he bound his good sword Murgleis, and he mounted his charger Tachebrun.148 His uncle Guinemer held the stirrup for him.149 Many gallant knights wept to see him go. "150 O Sir," they cried, "this is an ill return for all the service that you have done to the King.151 Never should Count Roland have had such a thought.152 Send us, my lord, in your stead."153

"Nay," answered Ganelon. "154 Why should I doom so many gallant men?155 Let me rather die alone.156 Do you, my friends, go back to fair France.157 Carry my greetings to my wife and to my son.158 Keep him safe, and see that his possessions suffer no loss."159 So saying, he went on his way to Saragossa.160