THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
At that moment, the servant reached Miles’ chamber and told him of his mission even as the cry
arose, saying: “Bertram has returned.” Miles, hearing the noise, asked him: “What noise is that?”
The servant replied: “I don’t know, but I did see Bertram.” Miles said: “Go back there and find out
what noise this is.” The servant came running toward the gate, and when he saw the enemy inside
and heard the cry, “Long live King Anglant,” there was the traitor atop the gate and he was hurling
the guardsmen from the walls to the ground below because they were defending the gate. The
messenger returned to Miles and found him in arms, and said with a shout: “Alas, my lord, you have
been betrayed by Bertram. He has seized the gate, and already a great number of Saracen troops are
inside.” In great fury, Miles descended from the palaces and leapt on his horse to succor the gate.
In his haste he did not remember Richier, thinking that Richier was already at the battle. Mounted
on his horse, he rode toward the gate, speaking comfort to the citizens. Great was the cry of the city
dwellers and of the poor women and their fathers and children and brothers. Ah, how many
wretches women, naked or in their shifts, ran to the windows, weeping, trembling with fright! The
wailing resounded throughout the city; many called for death and for many this seemed better than
to fall into the hands of Saracen African dogs. Miles rode toward that gate, shouting to the citizens:
“Onward, bravely! Defend yourselves to the death! Follow me, so that we may gallantly defend
ourselves,” and many citizens followed him. But when he arrived at the gate and so many troops
inside, he said: “Woe is me! Why did I not believe Lothair, who told me nothing but the truth, as I
now see? But since I am brought to this pass, I care not whether I live or die.” He lowered his lance
and burst through the enemy ranks and encountered Goreas who had mounted his steed, and the
Mustapha, and Asperas, and Sinagon. Already King Almont had arrived in the city with another
host. Miles overthrew Goreas and Sinagon and many others. Almont saw him by the light of a
great many torches. He spurred his horse toward Miles, grasping his sword in both hands. The
blow fell short and split the head of his horse. Miles’ horse fell forward dead amid the press of