THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

242
© 2009 Max Wickert
that sword Galiziella in her womanly heart took pity on King Galafron, and prevailed with King
Anglant to bestow pardon upon King Galafron, who swore to assist King Anglant with all his power
against King Charles, in revenge for his daughter Galeana, whom Charles had taken against his will
when he returned to France. Thereupon he took his leave form King Anglant and returned to
Spain, promising to fortify his country with supplies, men and weapons against the Christians, and
delighted to have made peace.
11
After Galafron’s departure, King Anglant gave command for all men to embark on the sea within
eight days. All made ready their weapons, their camping gear and pavilions, their standards and
banner, their armor and horses and forage, and loaded them on the ships.
Galiziella at that time made a present to Almont of Durandel, that is, of the sword that King
Galafron of Spain had given here, so that now Almont had both the best sword and the best horse
in the world. For this reason, Troyan grew very angry with Galiziella.
Soon thereafter King Anglant commanded Almont to depart with whatever men he pleased and to
sail toward the shores of Italy and to make camp in Apulia or Calabria to see where the main
Saracen host might best and most advantageously encamp, and where most harm might be inflicted
on the Christians.
At Almont’s departure all the lords present took an oath on his sword to wage war for the conquest
of Europe against Charles, King of France, and against the Church of Rome. A little after, another
oath was sworn by four of the barons, that is, King Almont, Triamides, King Ulieno and King
Balant: all together, bound by a sacred vow, they swore to destroy Charles and to crown Almont
king of all Europe. Four days after these oaths, King Almont sailed away in a great armada of ships,