How we cite our quotes: (Stanza.Line)
Quote #10
"Roland, dear friend, may God have mercy on you!
No man ever saw a knight better able
To fight great battles to a finish.
My honor has fallen into decline." (206.2887-90)
Note the softening of Charlemagne's tone from the formal way he spoke to Roland at the beginning of poem. No longer is he speaking as Roland's king and commander-in-chief but as his friend. Death seems to make Roland dearer to everyone.