--- title: The Death of Roland — Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of F… · full text with trees description: The Death of Roland, «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: Now Roland felt that death was near at hand. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/35/) [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/) / The Death of Roland # The Death of Roland The Death of Roland of «Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France» by Alfred John Church: the whole text, 47 sentences and 885 words. 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Now Roland felt that death was near at hand.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") In one hand he took his horn, and in the other his good sword Durendal, and made his way the distance of a furlong or so till he came to a plain, and in the midst of the plain a little hill.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") On the top of the hill in the shade of two fair trees were four marble steps.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") There Roland fell in a swoon upon the grass.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") There a certain Saracen spied him.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") The fellow had feigned death, and had laid himself down among the slain, having covered his body and his face with blood.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") When he saw Roland, he raised himself from where he was lying among the slain and ran to the place, and, being full of pride and fury, seized the Count in his arms, crying aloud, "He is conquered, he is conquered, the famous nephew of King Charles\![7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") See, here is his sword; 'tis a noble spoil that I shall carry back with me to Arabia."[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereupon he took the sword in one hand, with the other he laid hold of Roland's beard.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") But as the man laid hold, Roland came to himself, and knew that some one was taking his sword from him.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") He opened his eyes but not a word did he speak save this only, "Fellow, you are none of ours," and he smote him a mighty blow upon his helmet.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") The steel he brake through and the head beneath, and laid the man dead at his feet. "[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Coward," he said, "what made you so bold that you dared lay hands on Roland?[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") Whosoever knows him will think you a fool for your deed."[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") And now Roland knew that death was near at hand.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") He raised himself and gathered all his strength together--ah me! how pale his face was!--and took in his hand his good sword Durendal.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") Before him was a great rock, and on this in his rage and pain he smote ten mighty blows.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") Loud rang the steel upon the stone; but it neither brake nor splintered. "[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") Help me," he cried, "O Mary, our Lady.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") O my good sword, my Durendal, what an evil lot is mine\![20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") In the day when I must part with you, my power over you is lost.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") Many a battle I have won with your help; and many a kingdom have I conquered, that my Lord Charles possesses this day.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") Never has any one possessed you that would fly before another.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") So long as I live, you shall not be taken from me, so long have you been in the hands of a loyal knight."[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he smote a second time with the sword, this time upon the marble steps.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") Loud rang the steel, but neither brake nor splintered.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Roland began to bemoan himself, "O my good Durendal," he said, "how bright and clear thou art, shining as shines the sun\![27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") Well I mind me of the day when a voice that seemed to come from heaven bade King Charles give thee to a valiant captain; and forthwith the good King girded it on my side.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") Many a land have I conquered with thee for him, and now how great is my grief\![29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") Can I die and leave thee to be handled by some heathen?"[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") And the third time he smote a rock with it.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") Loud rang the steel, but it brake not, bounding back as though it would rise to the sky.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") And when Count Roland saw that he could not break the sword, he spake again but with more content in his heart. "[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") O Durendal," he said, "a fair sword art thou, and holy as fair.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") There are holy relics in thy hilt, relics of St. Peter and St. Denis and St. Basil.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") These heathen shall never possess thee; nor shalt thou be held but by a Christian hand."[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") And now Roland knew that death was very near to him.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") He laid himself down with his head upon the grass, putting under him his horn and his sword, with his face turned towards the heathen foe.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") Ask you why he did so?[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") To shew, forsooth, to Charlemagne and the men of France, that he died in the midst of victory.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") This done he made a loud confession of his sins, stretching his hand to heaven. "[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Forgive me, Lord," he cried, "my sins, little and great, all that I have committed since the day of my birth to this hour in which I am stricken to death."[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") So he prayed; and, as he lay, he thought of many things, of the countries which he had conquered, and of his dear Fatherland France, and of his kinsfolk, and of the good King Charles.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Nor, as he thought, could he keep himself from sighs and tears; yet one thing he remembered beyond all others--to pray for forgiveness of his sins. "[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") O Lord," he said, "who art the God of truth, and didst save Daniel Thy prophet from the lions, do Thou save my soul and defend it against all perils!"[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") So speaking he raised his right hand, with the gauntlet yet upon it, to the sky, and his head fell back upon his arm and the angels carried him to heaven.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") So died the great Count Roland.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [How Archbishop Turpin Died](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/34/) - next →: [How Charlemagne Sought Vengeance](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/36/) - ↑ back to [Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/)