The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-08
From the Kansas city Times.

" HE expression "A Roland Tor your
oliver" is one not uncommonly
! used, but probably the origin OF
it is known by comparatively few per-
sons Roland and Oliver-or Olivier, to
spell his name as it was originally
were knights of Charlemagne's court,
two of the mighty twelve about whose
exploits has been woven tapestry or
romance almost as rich and varied as
the splendid legend of King Arthur ana
his knights. This legendary romance Is
preserved to the French in the famous
Isong of Roland, piece of national folk
lore so ancient that none may surely
say who put it into verse.
Roland and olivier were boon com
panions. but once they fought striving
to see which was the mightier. Mar
velous was that combat. and like unto
the fighting of giants, and 1t continued
five days; nor was either of the twain
able to gain the mastery. So they left
lofr fighting and became better friends
than ever and used their wondrous
strength against the Saracens, those
enemies of the true God, who idwelt in
those days in the cities of Spain. And
from that day forth, whenever one man
desired to tell another that he would
give him .tit for tat" it became GUS
tomary to say, Il will give you Roland
for your olivier"
Now this is the story of the death of
the great Count Roland, as it is told In
the old, old chanson, which troubadours
were wont to sing in castle halls for
many and many a; century after Saraeen
rule in Spain was but a memory.
Seven years had the king, Charie-
magne, gone up and down throughout
the land of Spain, and his men alarms
with him. the flower of France, Staying
and burning and laying waste the land
of those infidel dogs whose very pres
ence was an insult to the true GOD ana
to our Lady; seven years since any man
of that stout host had seen his home, or
felt the touch of loving lips or the
ciinging hands OF little children. Men
that had gone out as beardless youths
were now become stout warriors, and
seven years had grizzled the locks OF
men who had been in their prime when
the struggle began. Aye. Charlemagne
the king, too, bore marks of that seven
years fghting, and his beard that had
been gray was now become snow white,
and he felt age creeping upon him,
! silently, surely, like shadow that
lengthens as the sun goes down.
Thus 1t was when there came messen-
gers from Marsil, King OF Spain and
ruler of the infidels. to Charlemasne' s
camp, suing for peace. And Marsilius
the Saracen swore by all his false gods
to accept the true religion of Our Lord.
to serve great Charlemagne as vassel,
to give up lands and gold and tribute
/ If only the armies of Christendom might
go again to France Long Charlemagne,
the mighty king, pondered these words;
then he sent Baron Ganelon. the step
father of Roland. to the Saracen to die
tate terms. Now Ganelons heart was
black. and he hated Roland; therefore
he wrought great wickness and con-
spired with the Saracens, saying:
Accept the terms; then when Charlie
magne hath led the main body of his
army beyond the mountains, then fall
We upon the rear guard, which Roland
iWlli cOlliIildHur diid tdt tiitiii ooWhs Aot
only with Roland dead shall ye ind
peace"
| So peace was made and white haired
lCharlemagne led his great cavalcade
away to the northward.
And Roland stayed behind, and Olivier
Iand with them $4,000 men at arms
Then the word went swiftly. born by
dark riders on fleet horses, and the
Ichiefs of the Saracens gathered their
men together. and they came sweeping
Iacross the plain, like dust clouds that
are caught UP by the hurrying wind
Ito Roncesvalles. where Roland and his
linen at arms stood guard.
And Sir Olivier, standing upon hill