118 F. B. Luquicns, 



of two pendants, i They are often used to constitute a sort of re- 

 frain. 2 They are used, in combination, where Homer would ha\-e 

 used only exact and complete repetition — in the three statements 

 of Marsila's message. ^ Finally, they are used with especial skill in 

 the so-called ' laisses similaires.' * Whatever be their origin and 

 development as devices of Old French poetry — note that I have 

 not committed myself on these points — it cannot be denied that 

 in the Oxford manuscript they are used with technical proficienc}'. 

 In spite of the pervasive symmetr}', however, variet}- is every- 

 where. Notice, for example, the many different phrases by which 

 Charles is described.^ Notice, to select only one of many such 

 instances, the handling of the phrase " jo Ten conquis " in vv. 2322, 

 2323, 2324, 2325, 2327, 2331, 2333; a practised orator could do no 

 better. Compare the descriptions of the first and second encounters ^ '• 

 in the first the Franks are victorious in ever}' combat — in the second 

 only in alternate combats ; in the first the Franks fight with spears "'■ 

 — in the second with swords ^ ; in the first the warriors' steeds are 

 vmnoticed— in the second five are named and described.^ And 



* For example, when the Paynim Peers are making tlieir boastful 

 threats, Marsila's nephew alone prophesies that he will slay Roland with 

 his spear (v. 867)— he is slain by Roland's spear (v. 1202) ; Chernubles 

 prophesies that his sword will conquer Durendal (v. 988) — he is the ih'st 

 Paynim to be slain by Durendal (v. 1324) ; of. also v. 866 and v. 1211. 



- With especial skill in the following three passages : (1) The Threats 

 of the Paynim Peers— note particularly vv. 935 and 930 and 971 ; (2) The 

 First Encounter— note particularly vv. 1234 and 1260, 1274 and 1280 and 

 1288, 1296 and 1303 ; (3) The Second Encounter— note particularly vv. 1501 

 and 1.536, 1561 and 1585 and 1609. 



3 vv. 62-88 = 122-156 = 180-192. It seems to me that in this respect 

 the Roland is more artistic than the Iliad. 



* The device of ' laisses similaires ' is discussed in detail iiifra.^ pp. 122— 

 123, so I refrain from citation hei-e. 



M, 16. 28, 52, 70, 81, 94, 116, et passim. 



« 1188-1337 and 1648-1609 (the seeming incorrectness of these latter 

 figures is due to Stengel's numeration). 



■^ 1204, 1229, 1250, 1273, 1287, 1295. In this encounter swords are 

 brought into plaj^ on^b^ at the very end (1324). 



* 1507, 1540. In this encounter the phrase " pleine sa hanste " is used 

 only twice (1498, 1534), each time of Paynims. 



» 1649, 1491, 1528, 1554, 1572. In the fh-st encounter the only mention 

 of steeds occurs in 1379—1380, and there the desci"iption characteristic of 

 the second encounter is totally lacking. Notice the artistic diversity of 

 1492, 1529, 1555, 1573. 



