The Song of Roland

There’s none but grieves and weeps from out his eyes;
They all pray God to safeguard Roland’s life

Said Roland then: “Full grievous is this fight.
I’ll sound my horn, and Charles will hear the cry.”
Quoth Oliver: “’Twould ill beseem a knight.
I asked you, comrade, and you refused, for pride.
Had Charles been here, then all would have gone right;
He’s not to blame, nor the men at his side.

He strikes him hard on his Toledo shield,
And lays him dead upon the grassy green.