The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-02-13
ROLAND AND OLIVER.
A LEGEND OF CIIIvALRY.

'i'.''H.' ROLAND AND OLIVER. y! |s@&'
A LEGEND OF CIIIvALRY.
.,...n The city Of Vienne is closely besieged
for Duke Girard, its lord, is at feud with
his sovereign. Charles, the great king of
France. Fiercely had they quarreled
! : over q wager at chess. and Girard must
fly from the court, and call around him
kinsmen and vassals. Now they bravey
- defend the walls round which lies the
{ mighty host of Charles. Thee twelve
3 s ! peers of France arc there, Archbishop
p Turpjn the wise Duke haynes, Ganilon
a." The traitor, Lambert of Bourges, Ogier the
Dane, Richard of Normandy, Renaud Of
AIontauban, and many other knights re-
nowned in song and story. Great feats of
arms were done on either side, but all the
land grieves for this war between those
- -, who should be at peace. - II - -
- For two years the siege lasted, during
which Charles remained in the city, I'M
j,!<:f able to take it, and unwilling to retreat.
The knights and squires were wont to
-. pass much Of their time in hunting and
in the sports of chivalry, One day OH
yer, Duke Girard's nephew, upon whose
chin the beard was beginning to grow,
had stolen forth from the city alone, with
out arms or signs of rank, and passing
fearlessly through the kings men, essayed
his skill among band Of youths who
were playing at the quintain All were
H. lastonished at the strength and graceof
this young stranger, who far surpassed
J. even Roland, the nephew Of Charles at
the game in which, hitherto he had al
ways borne away the price. Suddenly
there was murmur that this was one Of
! i thefenemytwh had found his way into
the camp.
':Seize him." was the cry, and a score
of mailed hands were laid on Oliver He
I shook them off he: snatched up a. tent
Il Fl i stake and; laid his. assailantss 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
f. $Ss raised his sword to strike, when he heard
80 { ( a cry from the walls; Heslooked up, and
there was the fair Aida, divers sister,
&5,Sclasping her hands and raising her blue
= g. =, eyes to heaven, as she. saw her brothers
S:..SE i danger. The arm Of Roland dropped to
80 : his side. $ He reined in his steed, and let
:. Oliver ride on unframed Those who
- afs< beheld him thought lie had been wound
aE: 9 ed by. AN arrow from the walls. The:
& shaft had gone to his HEARTILY &s..3 7.
r3%r, :: = Night and2 day Roland thenceforths
80. - cared to prove his courage in assaults.
= against the city Of her kinsmen.s There
- s<@la were times of truce, too, when the ladies
sf7.Ts of Vienne rode freely through the kings
efz3sS camp, and then the youth mightfeast his
- p eyes on her beauty. The day came when
;SS he was made a knight, and before ever he
- - had dinted his bright shield, he sought
So. ,speechof this lady, and said':g ,,,9 % NJ
~ =. II dare not ask of thee, to accept me
-ro@@sy as thy knight; but I trust that all the
deeds of my life will prove that there is
none more faithful and devoted to thy
SERVICE - ~--~-~------~~-
"Ah. sir" replied the blushing Maiden;
~ wish we'll that we might be- friends,
nm : but this may not be whiles thy house is
A. t;5s y at feud with nine" a Gsss .,
- From that day Roland strove to win his
'2f' = 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
- a;7,4 false FGanilon, whispered, doubts and
sneers, for Ganilon hated Roland ever
''!'3"' since the young knight had disabled
s:,'r :; him in his first tourney. These whispers
came to Roland's ear, and made his blood
,-.. burn to show himself worthy of his spurs
~ c~and 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
~ r. I Kings tent to treat for pence. Before all
the barons and knights he told Ibis err
rand, but the kings brow was stern as he
)H' } = answered: : = NHrthN1ks L9ar yyx
"Peace Duke Girard shall not have till
WIN he come with alsaddle on his back to sue
for it,
: 70 WI. May lord king" answered Oliver
che were unworthy to be peer of France
if he thus debased himself: '1S-~ss
--------- Then spoke the false Ganilon: :,1agarUg
.a@ss EaWe have here the, nephew ia our
hands. Let us hang him over against
the gates, and thus teach the proud " de
,la2gg }gtorebel against his kng.'AE4 o,,.l..tg -
The eyes Of Roland shone with anger
and he felled the traitor to the earth 4:
at were shame to u.s." he cried, "ifsa1
,97zF messenger might not come and go freely,
- - and speak all his will - 4yil., ss;st
~.,xz,, II have done my errand,' said Oliver,
j = preparingsto depart ."Ifthe king will re-
move his host, and seek no more to harm
~ Sis, Duke GiraTd and all his men will
,,,,e henceforth serve him faithfully ID all
f's&& things. If not ye know we'll how VIC can
~, :, 49,, defend ourselves s, ~ 9yiTyC II ,,$.:,
The wise Duke Naymes whispered in
his masters ear, counselling him TO fair
-~--~- words that might end this unworthy strife.
But Charles sat silent with thecloud on
t. bis brow. Long, had he stayed round this
- .rcbellious town, and he was not willing to
depart I'LL it had yielded TO his mercy, or
till not soul within it should { be- left
!, 10 alive Then suddenly Oliver turned to
..-,.y Roland and cried: ,,s.:..., e,,r- $3.50,
THEW 1sshgl tby Uncle and mine be q ever 7 at
war2 Say, young knight, wit thou mfe,et
me, and fight out this quarrel in single
ombat?'
king!'' answered Roland eagerly
$50 be itp said Charles rising from his