alor, and I will keep the passes in all
safety. So long as I shall live, you need fear no man."

Then Roland mounted his horse. With him were Oliver, his comrade, and
Otho and Berenger, and Gerard of Roussillon, an aged warrior, and
others, men of renown. And Turpin the Archbishop cried, "By my head, I
will go also." So they chose twenty thousand warriors with whom to
keep the passes.

Meanwhile King Charles had entered the valley of Roncesvalles. High
were the mountains on either side of the way, and the valleys were
gloomy and dark. But when the army had passed through the valley,
they saw the fair land of Gascony, and as they saw it they thought of
their homes and their wives and daughters. There was not one of them
but wept for very tenderness of heart. But of all that company there
was none sadder than the King himself, when he thought how he had left
his nephew Count Roland behind him in the passes of Spain.

And now the Saracen King Marsilas began to gather his army. He laid a
strict command on all his nobles and chiefs that they should bring
with them to Saragossa as many men as they could gather together. And
when they were come to the city, it being the third day from the
issuing of the King's command, they saluted the great image of
Mahomet, the false prophet, that stood on the topmost tower. This done
they went forth from the city gates. They made all haste, marching
across the mountains and valleys of Spain till they came in sight of
the standard of France, where Roland and Oliver and the Twelve Peers
were ranged in battle array.

The Saracen champions donned their coats of mail, of double substance
most of them, and they set upon their heads helmets of Saragossa of
well-tempered metal, and they girded themselves with swords of Vienna.
Fair were their shields to view; their lances were from Valentia;
their standards were of white, blue, and red. Their mules they left
with the servants, and, mounting their chargers, so moved forwards.
Fair was the day and bright the sun, as their armor flashed in the
light, and the drums were beaten so loudly that the Frenchmen heard
the sound.

Said Oliver to Roland, "Comrade, methinks we shall soon do battle with
the Saracens."

"God grant it," answered Roland. "'Tis our duty to hold the place for
the King, and we will do it, come what may. As for me, I will not set
an ill example."

Oliver climbed to the top of a hill, and saw from thence the whole
army of the h