A Book of Myths, by Jean Lang - Umnet

married the widowed Bertha and who had a jealous hatred for his
step-son--so beloved by his mother, so loved and honoured by the
King--was ever ready to oppose the counsel of Roland. Thus did he
persuade Charlemagne to send a messenger to Marsile, commanding
him to deliver up the keys of Saragossa, in all haste to become a
Christian, and in person to come and, with all humility, pay homage as
vassal to Charlemagne.
Then arose the question as to which of the peers should bear the
arrogant message. Roland, ever greedy for the post of danger,
impetuously asked that he might be chosen. But Charlemagne would
have neither him nor his dear friend and fellow-knight, Oliver--he who
was the Jonathan of Roland's David--nor would he have Naismes de
Bavière, nor Turpin, "the chivalrous and undaunted Bishop of Rheims."
He could not afford to risk their lives, and Marsile was known to be
treacherous. Then he said to his peers:
"Choose ye for me whom I shall send. Let it be one who is wise; brave,
yet not over-rash, and who will defend mine honour valiantly."
Then Roland, who never knew an ungenerous thought, quickly said:
"Then, indeed, it must be Ganelon who goes, for if he goes, or if he
stays, you have none better than he."
And all the other peers applauded the choice, and Charlemagne said to
Ganelon:
"Come hither, Ganelon, and receive my staff and glove, which the
voice of all the Franks have given to thee."
But the honour which all the others coveted was not held to be an
honour by Ganelon. In furious rage he turned upon Roland:
"You and your friends have sent me to my death!" he cried. "But if by a
miracle I should return, look you to yourself, Roland, for assuredly I
shall be revenged!"
And Roland grew red, then very white, and said: