Sections CLXXVII-CLXXXII
Charles reaches Rencesvals and discovers the slain rearguard; grieves deeply for Roland and the peers.
17 argumentative units
- 01Discovery of the slain rearguard at Rencesvals
Charlemagne arrives at Rencesvals to find the battlefield completely covered with dead Franks and pagans, with no empty space remaining.
- 02Charles's lament and enumeration of the fallen peers
The Emperor cries out in despair, calling the names of Roland, Oliver, and the dozen peers, searching for them among the dead.
- 03Charles expresses profound despair and self-recrimination
Unable to receive answers, Charles despairs and tears his beard, lamenting that he was not present to defend his rearguard in the first assault.
- 04The army's collective grief and mourning
Thousands of barons and knights weep for the lost sons, brothers, nephews, and liege lords, many swooning on the ground in their sorrow.
- 05Neimes counsels immediate vengeance instead of lingering grief
Duke Neimes advises the Emperor to observe the approaching pagan forces and turn his grief into action by pursuing vengeance upon them.
- 06Charles accepts the counsel and vows to restore honor through vengeance
Charles acknowledges his duty to pursue the enemy and restore the honor of France by demanding retribution for the loss of the kingdom's finest.
- 07Charles orders guards to protect and preserve the dead on the battlefield
The King commands four named nobles to remain behind and guard the field and its dead, allowing no disturbance until his return.
- 08The army pursues the fleeing pagans with renewed determination
Charlemagne's forces mount up and chase the Spanish pagans toward Sarraguce with unrelenting vigor throughout the day.
- 09Charles prays for divine intervention to extend daylight for vengeance
As evening falls, the Emperor kneels and prays to God to delay the sunset so he might continue pursuing the enemy.
- 10An angel appears and grants Charles divine approval for his vengeance
An angel appears to Charles confirming that the Franks' flower is slain and urging him forward with God's sanction to avenge the dead.
- 11Divine miracle: God halts the sun to allow Charles's pursuit
God performs a marvel by stopping the sun in its course, enabling Charlemagne to continue the pursuit and slaughter of the pagan forces.
- 12The destruction of the pagan army at the River Sebre
The fleeing pagans are driven toward the River Sebre where, attempting to cross, they are drowned in the deep waters, resulting in total annihilation.
- 13The Franks claim vindication through the pagan death at Roland's name
The Franks recognize their vengeance is complete, crying out that the pagans suffered an evil day because of Roland.
- 14Charles gives thanks to God for complete victory over the pagan forces
Seeing all pagans destroyed, Charles descends, kneels, and thanks God for the divine aid in achieving total victory.
- 15Charles orders practical measures for rest and recovery
The Emperor commands the exhausted army to make camp, unsaddle horses, and rest, recognizing it is too late to return to Rencesvals tonight.
- 16The army acknowledges and obeys the Emperor's commands
The Franks affirm their agreement with Charles's decision and proceed to execute his orders.
- 17The army settles into bivouac for the night without sentinels
The Franks dismount, remove saddles and bridles, release horses to pasture, and rest without maintaining watches, showing their complete exhaustion.