Having suffered a partial defeat on account of this device, Charlemagne had the horses' ears stopped with wax, and their eyes blindfolded, before he resumed the battle.

Thanks to this precaution, he succeeded in conquering the Saracen army.

The whole country had now been again subdued, and Charlemagne was preparing to return to France, when he remembered that Marsiglio (Marsilius), a Saracen king, was still intrenched at Saragossa.
"Carle, our most noble Emperor and King, Hath tarried now full seven years in Spain, Conqu'ring the highland regions to the sea; No fortress stands before him unsubdued, Nor wall, nor city left, to be destroyed, Save Sarraguce, high on a mountain set.
There rules the King Marsile, who loves not God, Apollo worships, and Mohammed serves; Nor can he from his evil doom escape." _Chanson de Roland_ (Rabillon's tr.).
[Sidenote: Battle of Roncesvalles.] The emperor wished to send an embassy to him to arrange the terms of peace, but discarded Roland's offer of service because of his impetuosity.

Then, following the advice of Naismes de Baviere, "the Nestor of the Carolingian legends," he selected Ganelon, Roland's stepfather, as ambassador.

This man was a traitor, and accepted a bribe from the Saracen king to betray Roland and the rear guard of the French army into his power.