/. WHICH TELLETH HOW KING
CHARLEMAGNE SUMMONED THE
PEERS OF FRANCE
Now it chanced that in those grim and sorrowful
days which came to the court and land of France
after the death of Roland and the other noble
dukes and brave lords who fell with him in that
last great battle against the Saracens, King Char-
lemagne was driven to think much of the future
of his realm. And sober and stern were his
thoughts because of the evil which might befall
his people now that these great heroes were gone
from amongst them.
Thus he was moved to summon unto his court
all the paramount lords and peers yet living, that
he might take council with them concerning
France in the days to come. But of the mighty
Twelve who had once upheld his throne there was
left only the Duke Naymes of Bauyer.
To his counsel would the King ever listen, for
Duke Haymes had been comrade-in-arms, shield-
9
mate and cup-brother to those who had goneч
Roland and Oliver and Ogier the Dane and all the
rest of the great ones.
When all the peers and lords were assembled
before him, King Charlemagne spoke out that
thought which was his constant fear, namely:
"Full sorry and bereft is this kingdom, for its
fairest and greatest knights lie ravens' meat in
the mountain passes. No longer doth Roland sit
among you, or Oliver lift his voice in wise counsel.
And I am an old man, worn thin by hard years.
"What will chance with France and with those
within her borders when I lay down sword and
crown at Death's bidding? This is the question I
would now have you answer for me.
"Name you now my successor, for time hangs
