Roland de Vaux (Sir), baron of Triermain, who wakes Gyneth from her long sleep of 500 years, and marries her.—Sir W. Scott, Bridal of Triermain (1813).
Rolando (Signor), a common railer against women, but brave, of a “happy wit and independent spirit.” Rolando swore to marry no woman, but fell in love with Zam´ora, and married her, declaring “that she was no woman, but an angel.”—J. Tobin, The Honeymoon (1804).
The resemblance between Rolando and Benedick will instantly occur to the mind.
Rolandseck Tower, opposite the Drachenfels. Roland was engaged to Aude, daughter of Sir Gerard and Lady Guibourg; but the lady, being told that Roland had been slain by Angoulaffre, the Saracen, retired to a convent. The paladin returned home full of glory, having slain the Saracen, and when he heard that his lady-love had taken the veil, he built Rolandseck Castle, which overlooks the convent, that he might at least see the lady to whom he could never be united. After the death of Aude, Roland “sought the battle-field again, and fell at Roncevall.”—Campbell, The Brave Roland.
Roldan, “El encantado,” Roldan made invulnerable by enchantment. The cleft “Roldan,” in the summit of a high mountain in the kingdom of Valencia, was so called because it was made by a single back-stroke of Roldan’s sword. The character is in two Spanish romances, authors unknown.—Bernardo del Carpio and Roncesvalles.
This book [Rinaldo de Montalban], and all others written on French matters, shall be deposited in some dry place ... except one called Bernardo del Carpio, and another called Roncesvalles, which shall certainly accompany the rest on the bonfire.—Cervantes, Don Quixote, I. i. 6 (1605).
Rolla, kinsman of the Inca Atali´ba, and the idol of the army. “In war a tiger chafed by the hunters’ spears; in peace more gentle than the unweaned lamb” (act i. 1). A firm friend and most generous foe. Rolla is wounded in his attempt to rescue the infant child of Alonzo from the Spaniards, and dies. His grand funeral procession terminates the drama.—Sheridan, Pizarro (altered from Kotzebue, 1799).
Rolleston (General), father of Helen, in Foul Play, by Charles Reade.
Rollo, duke of Normandy, called “The Bloody Brother.” He caused the death of his brother, Otto, and slew several others, some out of mere wantonness.—Beaumont and Fletcher, The Bloody Brother (1639).
Rollo, boy who is the hero of Jacob Abbott’s celebrated and delightful “Rollo Books,” embracing Rollo Learning to Read, Rollo Learning to Work, Rollo at School, Rollo’s Vacation, etc., etc. (1840-1857).