Legends of Charlemagne | Page 9

lasted through life.
Orlando was so poor that he was sometimes half naked. As he was a
favorite of the boys, one day four of them brought some cloth to make

him clothes. Two brought white and two red; and from this
circumstance Orlando took his coat-of-arms, or quarterings.
When Charlemagne was on his way to Rome to receive the imperial
crown he dined in public in Sutri. Orlando and his mother that day had
nothing to eat, and Orlando coming suddenly upon the royal party, and
seeing abundance of provisions, seized from the attendants as much as
he could carry off, and made good his retreat in spite of their resistance.
The Emperor, being told of this incident, was reminded of an
intimation he had received in a dream, and ordered the boy to be
followed. This was done by three of the knights, whom Orlando would
have encountered with a cudgel on their entering the grotto, had not his
mother restrained him. When they heard from her who she was they
threw themselves at her feet, and promised to obtain her pardon from
the Emperor. This was easily effected. Orlando was received into favor
by the Emperor, returned with him to France, and so distinguished
himself that he became the most powerful support of the throne and of
Christianity. [Footnote: It is plain that Shakspeare borrowed from this
source the similar incident in his "As you Like it." The names of
characters in the play, Orlando, Oliver, Rowland indicate the same
thing.]
ROLAND AND FERRAGUS
Orlando, or Roland, particularly distinguished himself by his combat
with Ferragus. Ferragus was a giant, and moreover his skin was of such
impenetrable stuff that no sword could make any impression upon it.
The giant's mode of fighting was to seize his adversary in his arms and
carry him off, in spite of all the struggles he could make. Roland's
utmost skill only availed to keep him out of the giant's clutches, but all
his efforts to wound him with the sword were useless. After long
fighting Ferragus was so weary that he proposed a truce, and when it
was agreed upon he lay down and immediately fell asleep. He slept in
perfect security, for it was against all the laws of chivalry to take
advantage of an adversary under such circumstances. But Ferragus lay
so uncomfortably for the want of a pillow that Orlando took pity upon
him, and brought a smooth stone and placed it under his head. When

the giant woke up, after a refreshing nap, and perceived what Orlando
had done, he seemed quite grateful, became sociable, and talked freely
in the usual boastful style of such characters. Among other things he
told Orlando that he need not attempt to kill him with a sword, for that
every part of his body was invulnerable, except this; and as he spoke,
he put his hand to the vital part, just in the middle of his breast. Aided
by this information Orlando succeeded, when the fight was renewed, in
piercing the giant in the very spot he had pointed out, and giving him a
death-wound. Great was the rejoicing in the Christian camp, and many
the praises showered upon the victorious paladin by the Emperor and
all his host.
On another occasion Orlando encountered a puissant Saracen warrior,
and took from him, as the prize of victory, the sword Durindana. This
famous weapon had once belonged to the illustrious prince Hector of
Troy. It was of the finest workmanship, and of such strength and
temper that no armor in the world could stand against it.
A ROLAND FOR AN OLIVER
Guerin de Montglave held the lordship of Vienne, subject to
Charlemagne. He had quarrelled with his sovereign, and Charles laid
siege to his city, having ravaged the neighboring country. Guerin was
an aged warrior, but relied for his defence upon his four sons and two
grandsons, who were among the bravest knights of the age. After the
siege had continued two months Charlemagne received tidings that
Marsilius, king of Spain, had invaded France, and, finding himself
unopposed, was advancing rapidly in the Southern provinces. At this
intelligence Charles listened to the counsel of his peers, and consented
to put the quarrel with Guerin to the decision of Heaven, by single
combat between two knights, one of each party, selected by lot. The
proposal was acceptable to Guerin and his sons. The names of the four,
together with Guerin's own, who would not be excused, and of the two
grandsons, who claimed their lot, being put into a helmet, Oliver's was
drawn forth, and to him, the youngest of the grandsons, was assigned
the honor and the peril of the combat. He accepted the award with
delight, exulting in being thought worthy to maintain