Hath been for seven full years in Spain.
From highland to sea hath he won the land;
City was none might his arm withstand;
Keep and castle alike went down--
Save Saragossa the mountain town.[10]

It is in Saragossa that King Marsile, holding an open-air council,
informs his followers he no longer has men to oppose to the French.
When he inquires what he shall do, the wisest of his advisers suggests
that, when might fails, craft can gain the day. Therefore, he moots
sending gifts to Charlemagne, with a promise to follow him to France
to do homage and receive baptism. Even should Charlemagne exact
hostages, this councillor volunteers to give his own son, arguing it
is better a few should fall than Spain be lost forever. This advice is
adopted by Marsile, who then despatches bearers of olive branches and
gifts to Charlemagne.

_Council held by Charlemagne at Cordova._ The Saracen emissaries find
the French emperor seated on a golden throne in an orchard, his peers
around him, watching the martial games of fifty thousand warriors.
After receiving Marsile's message, Charlemagne dismisses the
ambassadors for the night, promising answer on the morrow. When he
bids his courtiers state their opinions, Roland impetuously declares
that, as Marsile has tricked them once, it would not become them to
believe him now. His step-father, Ganelon, thereupon terms him a
hot-headed young fool, and avers he prizes his own glory more than his
fellow-men's lives. The wisest among Charlemagne's advisers, however,
Duke Naimes, argues that the Saracen's offers of submission should be
met half-way, and, as the remainder of the French agree with him,
Charlemagne calls for a messenger to bear his acceptance to Marsile.