--- title: How the Heathen and the French Prepared For Battle — Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of F… · full text with trees description: How the Heathen and the French Prepared For Battle, «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: Oliver climbed to the top of a hill, and saw from thence the whole army of the heat --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/30/) [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 the Heathen and the French Prepare… # How the Heathen and the French Prepared For Battle How the Heathen and the French Prepared For Battle of «Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France» by Alfred John Church: the whole text, 68 sentences and 994 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. Oliver climbed to the top of a hill, and saw from thence the whole army of the heathen.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") He cried to Roland his companion, "I hear a great sound of men coming by way of Spain, and I see the flashing of arms.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") We men of France shall have no small trouble therefrom.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") This is the doing of Ganelon the traitor."[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") "Be silent," answered Roland, "till you shall know; say no more about him."[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Oliver looked from the hilltop, and saw how the Saracens came on.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") So many there were that he could not count their battalions.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") He descended to the plain with all speed, and came to the array of the French, and said, "I have seen more heathen than man ever yet saw together upon the earth.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") There are a hundred thousand at the least.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") We shall have such a battle with them as has never before been fought.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") My brethren of France, quit you like men, be strong; stand firm that you be not conquered."[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") And all the army shouted with one voice, "Cursed be he that shall fly."[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Oliver turned to Roland, and said, "Sound your horn, my friend, Charles will hear it, and will return." "[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") I were a fool," answered Roland, "so to do.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") Not so; but I will deal these heathen some mighty blows with Durendal my sword.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") They have been ill-advised to venture into these passes.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") I swear that they are condemned to death one and all."[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") After a while, Oliver said again, "Friend Roland, sound your horn of ivory.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") Then will the King return, and bring his army with him, to our help."[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") But Roland answered again, "I will not do dishonour to my kinsmen, or to the fair land of France.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") I have my sword; that shall suffice for me.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") These evil-minded heathen are gathered together against us to their own hurt.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") Surely not one of them shall escape from death." "[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") As for me," said Oliver, "I see not where the dishonour would be.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") I saw the valleys and the mountains covered with the great multitude of Saracens.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") Theirs is, in truth, a mighty array, and we are but few." "[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") So much the better," answered Roland. "[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") It makes my courage grow. '[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") Tis better to die than to be disgraced.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") And remember, the harder our blows the more the King will love us."[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") Roland was brave, but Oliver was wise. "[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") Consider," he said, "comrade.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") These enemies are over-near to us, and the King over-far.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") Were he here, we should not be in danger; but there are some here to-day who will never fight in another battle."[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Turpin the Archbishop struck spurs into his horse, and rode to a hilltop.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he turned to the men of France, and spake: "Lords of France, King Charles has left us here; our King he is, and it is our duty to die for him.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") To-day our Christian Faith is in peril: do ye fight for it.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") Fight ye must; be sure of that, for there under your eyes are the Saracens.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") Confess, therefore, your sins, and pray to God that He have mercy upon you.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") And now for your soul's health I will give you all absolution.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") If you die, you will be God's martyrs, every one of you, and your places are ready for you in His Paradise."[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereupon the men of France dismounted, and knelt upon the ground, and the Archbishop blessed them in God's name. "[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") But look," said he, "I set you a penance--smite these pagans."[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the men of France rose to their feet.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") They had received absolution, and were set free from all their sins, and the Archbishop had blessed them in the name of God.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") After this they mounted their swift steeds, and clad themselves in armour, and made themselves ready for the battle.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") Said Roland to Oliver, "Brother, you know that it is Ganelon who has betrayed us.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") Good store he has had of gold and silver as a reward; 'tis the King Marsilas that has made merchandise of us, but verily it is with our swords that he shall be paid."[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") So saying, he rode on to the pass, mounted on his good steed Veillantif.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") His spear he held with the point to the sky; a white flag it bore with fringes of gold which fell down to his hands.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") A stalwart man was he, and his countenance was fair and smiling.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") Behind him followed Oliver, his friend; and the men of France pointed to him, saying, "See our champion!"[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") Pride was in his eye when he looked towards the Saracens; but to the men of France his regard was all sweetness and humility.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") Full courteously he spake to them: "Ride not so fast, my lords," he said; "verily these heathen are come hither, seeking martyrdom. '[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") Tis a fair spoil that we shall gather from them to-day.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") Never has King of France gained any so rich."[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") And as he spake, the two hosts came together.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") Said Oliver, "You did not deem it fit, my lord, to sound your horn.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") Therefore you lack the help which the King would have sent.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") Not his the blame, for he knows nothing of what has chanced.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") But do you, lords of France, charge as fiercely as you may, and yield not one whit to the enemy.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") Think upon these two things only--how to deal a straight blow and to take it.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") And let us not forget King Charles's cry of battle."[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") Then all the men of France with one voice cried out, "Mountjoy!"[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") He that heard them so cry had never doubted that they were men of valour.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") Proud was their array as they rode on to battle, spurring their horses that they might speed the more.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") And the Saracens, on their part, came forward with a good heart.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus did the Frenchmen and the heathen meet in the shock of battle.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [Of the Plot Against Roland](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/29/) - next →: [The Battle](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/31/) - ↑ back to [Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/)