How we cite our quotes: (Stanza.Line)
Quote #7
Charles's warrior Turpin is dead.
By fighting great battles and preaching many fine sermons,
He was always a relentless fighter against pagans. (166.2242-44)
And yet here religious and knightly service are combined, so it is possible to serve God with your sword. That is the Frankish motto: spread Christianity by force and conquering.
Quote #8
"There are many relics in the golden hilt:
Saint Peter's tooth, some of Saint Basil's blood,
Some of my lord Saint Denis's hair,
Some of Saint Mary's clothing.
It is not right for the pagans to own you,
You must be served by Christians.
May no coward every possess you!" (173.2345-51)
The radness of Roland's sword derives in part from the holy things it carries in the hilt: saints' relics. This also means that it would be a calamity if any non-Christian tried to wield it, but it's unclear how. Would the sword cease to be powerful? Or would Roland just be really sad about someone wicked owning his favorite toy?
Quote #9
They run to an idol of Apollo in a crypt,
They rail at it, they abuse it in vile fashion:
"Oh, evil god, why do you cover us with such shame?
Why have you allowed this King of ours to be brought to ruin? […]
[They] throw the idol of Mohammed into a ditch,
And pigs and dogs bite and trample it. (187.2580-83, 2590-91)
Once Marsile's army is destroyed by the Franks, they realize that their gods are useless. This plays right into the hands of the victorious Franks, who make forced conversions part of their conquering program. Of course, we're getting this story from a very Christian poet, so it's no surprise that this conclusion, O, the Frankish armies are better than our armies = this conclusion, the Frankish gods are better than our gods. Charlemagne and God both kick butt.