--- title: How Ganelon Went on an Errand to King Marsilas — Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of F… · full text with trees · page 2 description: How Ganelon Went on an Errand to King Marsilas, «Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France» by Alfred John Church: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: For seven years King Charles the Great tarried in Spain. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/27/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/) / How Ganelon Went on an Errand to King… # How Ganelon Went on an Errand to King Marsilas · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/27/) **2** Then stood up the Duke of Bavaria; snowy white was his beard and hair.[68](../../68/ "tree and pragmatics") King Charles had no better counsellor than he. "[69](../../69/ "tree and pragmatics") Sire," said he, "Ganelon has given you good advice.[70](../../70/ "tree and pragmatics") You will do well to follow it.[71](../../71/ "tree and pragmatics") 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](../../72/ "tree and pragmatics") Now he begs for mercy from you.[73](../../73/ "tree and pragmatics") Surely 'twere a crime to ask too much.[74](../../74/ "tree and pragmatics") Remember, too, that he is ready to give you hostages.[75](../../75/ "tree and pragmatics") Send one of your nobles to treat with him, for indeed it is time this war should have an end."[76](../../76/ "tree and pragmatics") So spake the Duke of Bavaria, and all the men of France cried out, "The Duke has spoken well."[77](../../77/ "tree and pragmatics") "But," said King Charles, "whom shall we send?" "[78](../../78/ "tree and pragmatics") I will go," answered the Duke, "if it so please you.[79](../../79/ "tree and pragmatics") Give me the gauntlet and the staff an ambassador should have." "[80](../../80/ "tree and pragmatics") Not so," said King Charles, "you shall not go.[81](../../81/ "tree and pragmatics") I would not have so wise a counsellor so far away.[82](../../82/ "tree and pragmatics") Sit you down. '[83](../../83/ "tree and pragmatics") Tis my command"; and he spake again, "Whom shall we send to King Marsilas, my lords?" "[84](../../84/ "tree and pragmatics") I will go," cried Count Roland. "[85](../../85/ "tree and pragmatics") Nay," said Oliver, "you are of too fiery and fierce a spirit.[86](../../86/ "tree and pragmatics") I fear that you would but ill-manage such a business. '[87](../../87/ "tree and pragmatics") Tis better that I should go, if it so please the King." "[88](../../88/ "tree and pragmatics") Be silent, both of you," said the King, "neither of you shall have a hand in this matter.[89](../../89/ "tree and pragmatics") By this white beard of mine, I declare that no one of the Twelve Peers shall go on this embassage."[90](../../90/ "tree and pragmatics") Then stood up Turpin the Archbishop. "[91](../../91/ "tree and pragmatics") 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](../../92/ "tree and pragmatics") Give me the gauntlet and the staff; I will go to this Saracen, and say somewhat to him after my own fashion."[93](../../93/ "tree and pragmatics") But Charles answered him in great anger. "[94](../../94/ "tree and pragmatics") By this beard you shall not do it.[95](../../95/ "tree and pragmatics") Sit you down again, and speak not till I bid you.[96](../../96/ "tree and pragmatics") And now," he went on, "my lords, choose you for yourselves one who shall go on this errand.[97](../../97/ "tree and pragmatics") Let him be a man of counsel, who can deal a blow also, if need should be."[98](../../98/ "tree and pragmatics") Then said the Count Roland: "Whom should we choose but Ganelon?[99](../../99/ "tree and pragmatics") You cannot find a better than he."[100](../../100/ "tree and pragmatics") And all the men of France cried: "It is right that he should go, if the King will have it so."[101](../../101/ "tree and pragmatics") Said King Charles to Ganelon: "Come hither, Ganelon, and take this gauntlet and this staff.[102](../../102/ "tree and pragmatics") The voice of the men of France has chosen you.[103](../../103/ "tree and pragmatics") You heard it."[104](../../104/ "tree and pragmatics") But Ganelon liked not the matter at all. "[105](../../105/ "tree and pragmatics") This is Roland's doing," he cried. "[106](../../106/ "tree and pragmatics") 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](../../107/ "tree and pragmatics") Here, under your eyes, Sir King, I defy them all." "[108](../../108/ "tree and pragmatics") It profits not to be angry," cried King Charles. "[109](../../109/ "tree and pragmatics") If I bid you, you must go."[110](../../110/ "tree and pragmatics") "Yes," answered Ganelon; "I perceive that I must go to Saragossa, and he that goes thither comes not back.[111](../../111/ "tree and pragmatics") Remember, Sire, that I have your sister to wife.[112](../../112/ "tree and pragmatics") We have one son; a fairer child you could not see.[113](../../113/ "tree and pragmatics") One day, so he live, he will be a gallant knight.[114](../../114/ "tree and pragmatics") I leave him my lands.[115](../../115/ "tree and pragmatics") Have a care for him, I entreat you, for I shall never see him more." "[116](../../116/ "tree and pragmatics") You have too soft a heart," said King Charles. "[117](../../117/ "tree and pragmatics") If I bid you, you must go."[118](../../118/ "tree and pragmatics") Ganelon was in great trouble of mind.[119](../../119/ "tree and pragmatics") He turned him to Roland, and said, "What means your wrath against me? '[120](../../120/ "tree and pragmatics") Tis you, as all men know, that have put on me this errand to King Marsilas. '[121](../../121/ "tree and pragmatics") Tis well.[122](../../122/ "tree and pragmatics") 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](../../123/ "tree and pragmatics") This is but folly," answered Roland. "[124](../../124/ "tree and pragmatics") All the world knows that I care nothing for your threats.[125](../../125/ "tree and pragmatics") 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](../../126/ "tree and pragmatics") "You shall not go," answered Ganelon. "[127](../../127/ "tree and pragmatics") You are not my vassal, nor am I your lord.[128](../../128/ "tree and pragmatics") I will go to Saragossa, to King Marsilas.[129](../../129/ "tree and pragmatics") But be sure that there will be something wherewith I may solace myself."[130](../../130/ "tree and pragmatics") When Roland heard this he laughed aloud, and Ganelon grew so full of anger that his heart was fain to burst. "[131](../../131/ "tree and pragmatics") I hate you," said he to Roland,--"I hate you! for you have made this evil choice light on me."[132](../../132/ "tree and pragmatics") But to Charles he said. "[133](../../133/ "tree and pragmatics") Behold me, Sire, I am ready to do your will."[134](../../134/ "tree and pragmatics") "Ganelon," said the King, "listen to me.[135](../../135/ "tree and pragmatics") 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](../../136/ "tree and pragmatics") 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](../../137/ "tree and pragmatics") Take this letter, which bears my seal, and give it into the King's right hand."[138](../../138/ "tree and pragmatics") So saying he reached out the gauntlet to Ganelon with his right hand.[139](../../139/ "tree and pragmatics") But when Ganelon reached out and would have taken it, it fell to the ground. "[140](../../140/ "tree and pragmatics") This is an ill starting," said the men of France, "this message will be the beginning of many troubles." "[141](../../141/ "tree and pragmatics") You shall hear of them in good time," answered Ganelon.[142](../../142/ "tree and pragmatics") To King Charles he said, "Sire, give me leave to depart, since I must needs go, 'twere well to lose no time." "[143](../../143/ "tree and pragmatics") Go," said the King, "for our Lord Christ's honour and for mine."[144](../../144/ "tree and pragmatics") And with his right hand he made the sign of the cross, and gave him absolution.[145](../../145/ "tree and pragmatics") At the same time he gave him the ambassador's staff and the letter.[146](../../146/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Ganelon went to his house and clad himself in his finest armour.[147](../../147/ "tree and pragmatics") 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](../../148/ "tree and pragmatics") His uncle Guinemer held the stirrup for him.[149](../../149/ "tree and pragmatics") Many gallant knights wept to see him go. "[150](../../150/ "tree and pragmatics") O Sir," they cried, "this is an ill return for all the service that you have done to the King.[151](../../151/ "tree and pragmatics") Never should Count Roland have had such a thought.[152](../../152/ "tree and pragmatics") Send us, my lord, in your stead."[153](../../153/ "tree and pragmatics") "Nay," answered Ganelon. "[154](../../154/ "tree and pragmatics") Why should I doom so many gallant men?[155](../../155/ "tree and pragmatics") Let me rather die alone.[156](../../156/ "tree and pragmatics") Do you, my friends, go back to fair France.[157](../../157/ "tree and pragmatics") Carry my greetings to my wife and to my son.[158](../../158/ "tree and pragmatics") Keep him safe, and see that his possessions suffer no loss."[159](../../159/ "tree and pragmatics") So saying, he went on his way to Saragossa.[160](../../160/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/27/) **2** - ← previous: [page 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/27/) - next →: [The Treason of Ganelon](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/28/) - ↑ back to [Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/)