Roland--recovering his senses--deals him so mighty a blow with his
horn, that the Saracen falls with crushed helmet and skull. Having
thus recovered his beloved Durendal, Roland, to prevent its again
falling into the enemy's hands, vainly tries to break it by hewing at
the rocks around him, but, although he uses all the strength he has
left to deal blows that cut through the stone, the good sword remains
undinted. Full of admiration, Roland then recalls the feats Durendal
has enabled him to perform, and, lying down on the grass, places
beneath him sword and horn, so as to defend them dead as well as
alive! Then, having confessed his sins and recited a last prayer,
Roland holds out his glove toward heaven, in token that he surrenders
his soul to God, and begs that an angel be sent to receive it from his
hand. Thus, lying beneath a pine, his face toward Spain, his last
thoughts for France and for God, Roland dies in the presence of the
angels, who bear his soul off to Paradise.

Roland feeleth his hour at hand;
On a knoll he lies towards the Spanish land.
With one hand beats he upon his breast:
"In thy sight, O God, be my sins confessed.
From my hour of birth, both the great and small,
Down to this day, I repent of all."
As his glove he raises to God on high,
Angels of heaven descend him nigh.

PART III. REPRISALS. Roland has barely breathed his last when
Charlemagne arrives on the battle-field and, gazing around him,
perceives nothing but corpses. Receiving no answer to his repeated
call for the twelve peers, Charlemagne groans it was not without cause
he felt anxious and mourns that he was not there to take part in the