How we cite our quotes: (Stanza.Line)
Quote #7
"True Father, who never lied,
Who resurrected Saint Lazarus from the dead
And saved Daniel from the lions,
Protect my soul from all perils
Due to the sins I committed during my life." (176.2384-88)
In his final prayer, Roland mentions two miracles when God triumphed over death: Lazarus, who died but came back to life, and Daniel, who should have been lion dinner but survived when angels muzzled the beasts. Roland's not asking to be saved from death or even to be revived once he's died. Instead, he's referring to the metaphorical meaning of these stories, which prefigure the miracle of Christ's death and resurrection. But Christ wasn't resurrected back into Jerusalem life; he was given eternal life in heaven. Roland is asking the same thing: immortality with God.
Quote #8
God sent His angel Cherubim
And Saint Michael of the Peril,
Saint Gabriel came with them.
They bear the Count's soul to Paradise. (176.2393-96)
And presto! Roland's prayer is answered in the very same stanza. While his body remains on the blood-soaked field, his soul is conducted to paradise by angel attendants
Quote #9
Charles reels, he nearly fell,
But God does not wish him to be killed or vanquished.
Saint Gabriel returned to his side,
And he asked him: "Great King, what are you doing?" (261.3609-11)
It makes you feel sorry for the Emir. Not only does God halt Baligant's sword from cleaving Charlemagne's brain; he also sends Gabriel to give a pep-talk. Like Roland, Charlemagne is too dear to God to die. But since he is more likely to give in to pain and sorrow than the ever-fierce Roland, Charlemagne requires a little more angelic cheerleading.