Stories of Charlemagne and the Twelve Peers of France by Alfred John Church

Count Roland saw how grievously his people had suffered and spake / thus to Oliver his comrade: "Dear comrade, you see how many brave men / lie dead upon the ground. Well may we mourn for Fair France, widowed / as she is of so many valiant champions. But why is our King not / here? O Oliver, my brother, what shall we do to send him tidings of / our state? " "I know not," answered Oliver. "Only this I know -- that / death is to be chosen rather than dishonour."

After a while Roland said again, "I shall blow my horn; King Charles / will hear it, where he has encamped beyond the passes, and he and his / host will come back. " "That would be ill done," answered Oliver, / "and shame both you and your race. When I gave you this counsel you / would have none of it. Now I like it not. 'Tis not for a brave man / to sound the horn and cry for help now that we are in such case. " / "The battle is too hard for us," said Roland again, "and I shall / sound my horn, that the King may hear. " And Oliver answered again, / "When I gave you this counsel, you scorned it. Now I myself like it / not. 'Tis true that had the King been here, we had not suffered this / loss. But the blame is not his. 'Tis your folly, Count Roland, that / has done to death all these men of France. But for that we should / have conquered in this battle, and have taken and slain King / Marsilas. But now we can do nothing for France and the King. We can / but die. Woe is me for our country, aye, and for our friendship, / which will come to a grievous end this day."