THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
No sooner had the day dawned, when Mainet put on a new suit of armor, because the other was
utterly broken and dented. He then rode into the field and called for battle. King Polynor, like a
man desperate, armed also and once more desired Bramant’s oath to do battle. Then he rode into
the field. They shouted defiance and struck each other mightily with their lances. Neither had the
advantage, for this time Polynor was more careful. So they drew their swords and began a most
bitter combat. For the space of an hour the battle was equal. Polynor grew enraged at heaven and
fortune that a mere youth should so long hold out against him. He began to shout at Mainet that he
had chosen to defend a strumpet. Then Mainet, who was in love, threw his shield away and with his
sword in both hands assailed him with such fury that his horse reared, wherefore the sword
descended on the head of Polynor’ steed and cleft it in half. Polynor’ horse fell dead and he
remained standing. Mainet dismounted and Polynor marveled to see him do so, well noting that this
was no merchant’s son. He said to him: “Mainet, I demand to know, by whatever God you adore,
and by whatever you love best in the world, and by your knighthood: what is your name?” Charles
answered: “You have conjured me by three things that are sacred to me. But it would be better for
you not to have known.” Having said this, he angrily adjusted the sword in his hand and cried: “My
name is Charles, son of Philip, King of France and Emperor of Rome, mortal enemy of the two
traitors to France and of all Saracens.” When Polynor heard him, he tried to ward off death as
strongly as any Saracen could, but Mainet brought all his power to bear in the fight and struck at him
with both hands on the hilt, joining force to force, and cleft him down to his chest.
When he had slain him, he wrenched away the sword that he held in his hand, remounted his horse,
and turned toward Saragossa. Already a great crowd had sallied from the city to aid him, as Galeana
had commanded. He rode up to them and they acclaimed him as their captain. Mainet ordered
some of them to go to Polynor’ corpse and to take away the scabbard of the sword with which he