Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-10
Roland and officer.
A LEGEND OF CH1yALRY.

Roland and OIirer.
A LEGEND OF CHIvALRY.
The city Of Vienne is closely besicged
for Duke Girard, it's lord, is at feud witt
his sovereign. Charles, the great king OF
France. Fiercely had they quarrellec
over wager at chess, and Girard must
fy from the court, and call around him
kinsmen and vassals. Now they bravely
defend the walls round which lies the
mighty host Of Charles. The twelve
peers Of France are there, Archbishop
Turpjn the wise Duke Naymes, Ganilor
the traitor, Lambert Of Bourges, Ogier the
Dane, Richard Of Normandy, Renaud o
Montauban, and many other knights re
nowncd in song and story. Great feats o.
arms were done on either side, but all the
land grieves for this war between those
who should be at peace.
For two years the siege lasted, during
which Charles remained in the city, I'm.
able to take it, and unwilling to retreat
The knights and squircs were wont tc
pass much Of their time in hunting and
in the sports of chivalry. One day Oil.
yer, Duke Girard's nephew, upon whose
chin the beard was beginning to grow
had stolen forth from the city alone, with
out arEls or signs of rank, and passing
fearless!y through the kings men, essayeo
his skill among band of youths who
were playing at the quintain. All were
astonished at the strength and grace Of
this young stranger, who far surpassed
even Roland, the nephew Of Charles, al
the game in which, hitherto he had al
ways borne away the prize. Suddenly
there was murmur that this was one Of
the enemy who had found his way into
the camp.
sSeize hilnw was the cry, and score
of mailed hands were laid On Oliver. He
shook them off; he snatched up tent
stake and laid his assailants On the
ground; he sprang upon swift horse,
and flew toward the town. The kings
men followed hard and fast, and young
Roland was formost Of them all. Already
he was close upon the fugitive; he had
raised his sword to strike, when he heard
cry from the walls. He looked up, and
there was the fair Aida, divers sister,
clasping her hands and raising her blue
eyes to heaven, as she saw her brothers
danger. The arm of Roland dropped to
his side. He reined in his steed, and let
Oliver ride on unframed. Those who
beheld him thought he had been wound
ed by an arrow from the walls. The
shaft had gone to his heart.
Night and day Roland henceforth
thought of the fair Aida, and no longer
cared to prove his courage in assaults
against the city of her kjnsmen. There
were times of truce, too, when the ladies
Of Vienne rode freely through the kings
camp, and then the youth might feast his
eyes on her beauty. The day came when
he was made knight, and before ever he
had dinted his bright shield, he sought
speech Of this lady, and said:
II dare not ask Of thee to accept me
as thy knight; but | trust that all the
deeds of my life will prove that there is
none more faithful and devoted to thy
service.
'sAh, SIR replied the blushing maiden,
II wish well that we might be friends,
but this may not be while thy house is
st feud with mine''
From that day Roland strove to win his
uncle's mind to peace, and in likewise
counselled Duke Naymes and the bravest
of the peers. But Charles frowned, and
said bitterly that he had expected other
things from the new-made knight, and
false Ganilon whispered doubts and
sneers, for Ganilon hated Roland ever
since the young knight had disabled
him in his first tourney. These whispers
came to Roland's ear, and made his blood
burn to show himself worthy Of his spurs
ana to shame the slanderers.
Before long he had his wish. Now ar
rayed in rich furs and goodly mantle as
beseemed knight, came Oliver to the
kings tent to treat for peace. Before all
the barons and knights he told his er-
rand, but the kings brow was stern as he
answered:
''Peace Duke Girard shall not have till
he come with a saddle on his back to sue
for it,
May, my lord king answered Oliver,
che were unworthy to be peer of France
if he thus debased himself.
Then spoke the false Ganilon:
"We have here the nephew in our
hands. Let us hang him over against
the gates. and thus teach the proud u, Gle
to rebel against his king.''
The eyes OF Roland shone with anger,
and he felled the traitor to the earth.
st were shame to u.s." he cried, eff a
messenger might not come and go freely,
and speak all his will!''
II have done my errand," said Oliver,
preparing to depart. eff the king will re-
move his host, and seek no more to harm
us, Duke Girard and all his men will
henceforth serve him faithfully in all
things. If not, ye know we'll how we car
defend ourselves"
The wise Duke Naymes whispered in
his masters ear, counselling him to fail
words that might end this unworthy strife
But Charles sat silent with the cloud or
his brow. Long had he stayed round this
rebellious town, and he was not willing tc
depart till it had yielded to his mercy, o.