The song of Roland

The Song of Roland is an epic poem dating back to the late 11th century, serving as the oldest surviving major work of French literature. It recounts the legendary Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778, where Charlemagne’s rearguard, led by the knight Roland, was annihilated by Saracen forces. The narrative reflects the medieval ideals of chivalry, feudal loyalty, and religious devotion, transforming a historical skirmish into a foundational myth of the Carolingian empire.

W. S. Merwin’s translation, published by the Modern Library in 2001, is celebrated for its precise, rhythmic verse that captures the starkness and urgency of the original Old French. Merwin, a poet laureate known for his disciplined and lyrical command of language, sought to strip away the archaic ornamentation often found in earlier translations. His rendition was received as a masterful bridge between medieval austerity and contemporary poetic sensibilities, offering readers a clear and haunting look at one of Western literature’s most enduring tragedies.