THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
While Charles was staying at Sutri, he continued to hold lavish court and it was ever his custom that
whatever food was left over from Charles table should be given to the poor for the love of God. It
happened that on the first morning some of it was still left over, since there were few paupers
present, but he ordered a proclamation to made in the surroundings and on the next morning there
as a great crowd of poor people.
That morning Young Roland came to the city and, seeing so many folk both armed and unarmed,
began to wonder. He asked some whom he knew who these people were and was told: “A great
ruler, named Charlemagne, has arrived. He is King of France and Emperor of Rome.” Young
Roland asked what an emperor was, and was told the truth of it: he heard that the Emperor was the
defender of the Christian faith, and that all rulers were bound to obey him and the Pope, for the
sake of the welfare of Christendom and of peace in all the provinces and cities and peoples of the
world. Soon after, when Young Roland beheld the armor on the backs of these armed men, he
stood gazing, saying to himself: “Oh my God, who grand I would be if I also could bear such arms!”
As he went begging through one of the neighborhoods he was told to go to court, since bread and
wine and meat were being distributed there. He went to court, but arrived so late that there were no
alms left. Then he saw a ruffian who had taken enough for four men. Young Roland said to him:
“You should not have so much when I have nothing.” The scurvy fellow replied: “If you did not
get anything, the fault was yours. You should have come on time, as I did.” Said Young Roland:
“The mere fact that I have come too late gives you no right to my share. Therefore, since you have
too much, give me some.” Said the scoundrel: “I would sooner throw it to a dog.” Young Roland
grew angry and rushed at him, throwing him to the ground, and took away half of his share.