THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
he did not have the courage to wait for him, but ran down the stairs. Richier pursued him through
the hall, slashing away, and killed more than thirty of them. He snatched his shield back up, ran to
the stable, mounted his horse, and rode into the courtyard, but saw none of his people there. Then
he sounded his horn, and at that sound some five hundred gathered with him. He shouted good
comfort to them and sped toward the Saracens, who, when they heard his horn, had retreated from
him. He overthrew the Mustapha, Clarel, and King Ulien, and burst his lance. He drew his sword,
and those overthrown kings could barely get away. By the force of his arms, he pursued all the
Saracens in the courtyard with most bitter blows, making them turn to flight toward the gate by
which they had entered. Then he returned once again to the courtyard.
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Richier, having reentered the yard, sounded his horn once more. Already a rumor spread among the
Christians that Richier had gained control of the courtyard, and therefore everyman was hurrying
thither. By what was told later, he found himself there with seven thousand armed men. When he
asked where his brother Miles was, one of them said to him, weeping: “I while ago he rode to
defend the gate and was killed.” When Richier heard that Miles was dead, he said: “No I care not
whether I live or die,” and overcome with grief sped toward the foes along that street that led to the
gate where Miles had been slain. Although it was now close to dawn, the moon had already set and
the night was dark. When Richier’s voice was heard, many torches were fixed to the windows, and
he broke through the enemies like a lion, putting them some to flight and killing others, crying:
“Where are you, Almont, you traitor?” His sword was instantly known, as he shouted: “Almont,
what happened to your false promise? For you promised me that, if I overthrew you, you would
return to Africa with your army, and with all these men here. But you shall not gain this city so
lightly.” Already Richier had overthrown a thousand knights and left the street behind him full of