THE SCENE: In the climax of the Song of Roland, Count Roland finally, belatedly, swallows his pride and sounds the horn that will call in reinforcements. One might find a touch of divine retribution in the fact that it is the horn itself that inflicts the wound that will ultimately kill him.
THE TEXT: Then Roland says: “Our fight is getting rough. I’ll sound my horn — King Charles is sure to hear it.” Olivier says: “That would not be knightly. You didn’t deign to, comrade, when I asked you, and were the king here now, we’d be unharmed. The men out yonder shouldn’t take the blame.”
Count Roland brought the horn up to his mouth: he sets it firmly, blows with all his might. The peaks are high, the horn’s voice carries far; they hear it echo thirty leagues away. Charles hears it, too, and all his company. The king says then: “Our men are in a fight.” And Ganelon replies contentiously: “Had someone else said that, he’s seem a liar.”
Count Roland, racked with agony and pain and great chagrin, now sounds his ivory horn. Bright blood leaps in a torrent from his mouth. The temple has been ruptured in his brain. The horn he holds emits a piercing blast. Charles hears it as he crosses through the pass. Duke Naimes has heard it, too; the Franks give ear. The king announces: “I hear Roland’s horn! He’d never sound it if he weren’t embattled.” Says Ganelon: “There isn’t any battle! You’re getting old, your hair is streaked and white; such speeches make you sound like a child. You’re well aware of Roland’s great conceit; it’s strange that God has suffered him so long.”
Count Roland’s mouth is filling up with blood; the temple has ruptured in his brain. In grief and pain he sounds the Oliphant. Charles hears it, and his Frenchmen listen, too. The king says then, “That horn is long of wind.” Duke Naimes replies, “The baron is attacking! A fight is taking place, of that I’m sure. This man who tries to stall you has betrayed them. Take up your arms, sing out your battle cry, and then go save your noble retinue: you’ve listened long enough to Roland’s plaint!”
– The Song of Roland, 12th Century AD
