- Meanwhile, back at the Saracen ranch, Marsile is gathering his army to mount the offensive on Roland's rearguard.
- His nephew declares that he will be the one to skewer Roland on the end of his spear. Marsile grants him this wish by giving him his glove, and his nephew asks for twelve men to match the Franks' Twelve Peers.
- Stanzas 70 through 78 describe the twelve Saracens who sign up: each one is named, described, and given a short speech to articulate their hatred of Christians and detailed desires to kill Roland and humble Charlemagne into the ground.