Sections LV-LXIII

Marsile argues that killing Roland would cripple Charlemagne's military strength, depriving him of his 'right arm' and preventing him from assembling such a force again.

Ganelon swears on the relics in his sword Murgles to ensure Roland's death, formally committing treason and breaking his faith.

Marsile swears a sacred oath on Saracen religious law that he will seek battle with Roland in the rearguard and slay him if possible.

Valdabrun presents Ganelon with a valuable sword and explicitly asks for his assistance in positioning them to attack Roland in the rearguard.

Climorins gives Ganelon a helm and asks his help in finding a way to dishonor Roland the marquis.

The Saracen queen offers Ganelon valuable brooches set with precious stones, claiming they are worth more than the wealth of Rome and that even Charlemagne does not possess such treasures.

Marsile ensures a substantial tribute of silver and gold on seven hundred camels plus twenty men is ready to send to Charlemagne.

Marsile embraces Ganelon, promises him untold wealth and mules of gold, and explicitly instructs him to place Roland in the rearguard so Marsile can find and defeat him in battle.

Charlemagne draws near his domain and eagerly awaits news from Ganelon regarding the tribute from Spain.

Ganelon presents the keys of Saragossa and tribute to Charlemagne, falsely claiming that four hundred thousand Saracens drowned in a storm and that Marsile will soon come to France to do homage.

Charlemagne praises Ganelon's work and commands the army to depart toward France, believing the Spanish campaign is complete and successful.

As Charlemagne's army marches toward France, four hundred thousand pagan soldiers secretly assemble in the mists beyond the mountain peaks, positioned to attack the unsuspecting Franks.

In his sleep, Charlemagne dreams that Ganelon seizes his ashen spear, twists it, and throws it into the sky, fragmenting it—a prophetic vision of coming treachery.

Charlemagne dreams of his right arm being gnawed by a bear and his body attacked by a leopard from Ardennes, with a harrier defending him, symbolizing the coming conflict whose outcome remains unclear.

Charlemagne asks his assembled barons to determine who should be appointed to command the rearguard through the difficult passes.

When asked, Ganelon recommends Roland, claiming no other baron has greater valor—a recommendation that appears honoring but constitutes the betrayal.

Charlemagne calls Ganelon an incarnate devil and declares that mortal hate has entered his heart, explicitly rejecting the proposal to put Roland in the rearguard.

Roland, speaking with courtesy, accepts the rearguard position and vows to the king that no horse, mule, or beast will be lost, though his sword will exact payment from enemies.

Roland angrily confronts Ganelon, calling him a coward and bastard, and reminds him of how his wand fell before Charles, suspecting his treacherous intent.

Roland asks Charlemagne for his bow, declaring that unlike Ganelon's wand, it will not fall to the ground, thereby demonstrating his steadfast reliability.

Duke Neimes, the most worthy vassal, advises Charlemagne to give Roland the bow and assign him good men, recognizing that Roland is rightfully stirred to anger and capable of the task.

Charlemagne gives Roland the bow, formally empowering him to take command of the rearguard.

Charlemagne instructs Roland that half of his host—twenty thousand men—will remain with him to guard the rearguard while the rest proceed safely through the pass.

Roland declares he will keep only a thousand score of good valiant Franks, rejecting Charles's offer of half his host, expressing confidence that his smaller force can protect the pass.