THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
too full of spite.” Balant Replied: “Charles, King of France, listen to my words. Three parts of the
world are inhabited by human kind: the first is Asia, and of that part King Anglant has crowned
Troyan, his eldest son, king; the second is Africa, and of that King Anglant has reserved the crown
for himself; the third part is Europe, and this is the one you inhabit, and Anglant has sworn to
bestow its crown upon his son Almont, who is the most puissant knight in the world. He has sworn
it, and he will send you to feed with the beasts of Africa if you do not come to him to beg his mercy
for your great fault. I want you to know of the numerous realms and races which Anglant rules.
First Greater India, and it consists of twelve kingdoms: the first is called Sinestrane, followed by
Arcarea, Ariarcana, Carcerion, Ramerica, Corobana, Meduria, Arcasan, Indicar, Calcitrica, Daona on
the so-called Daonam river, and Bardaora. Then westward from the river Indus there are Persia,
Arabia, Syria, Media, Turkey, Armenia, Alba Bianca, Tartary, all Romania, and the greater part of the
empire of Constantinople. Then toward Lybia there is Lesser India, Egypt, Libya itself and the
Morea. In Africa: Numidia, Mauritania, Lusitania, Atlas and Morocco; and across the sea in Europe,
Granada, Portugal, Pharaon, Castile, Aragon, Galicia, Asturia, Navarre—in fact, all of Spain. What ,
then, can you do? Therefore listen to my counsel and act like a wise man.” King Charlemagne
replied: “I shall take counsel from my nobles. But tell me, vassal, what is your name?” Balant
replied: “I am called Balant the Turk, and my lord King Anglant knighted me and bestowed two
realms upon me. I also want you to know that King Anglant has crossed the sea with seven-
hundred-thousand Saracens, and has taken the city of Reggio, which shall be a safe haven for his
whole navy. He has with him thirty-three crowned kings: consider how many other lords this might
mean. Moreover, he is awaiting his son Troyan, who shall cross into the West with three-hundred-
thousand Saracens, along with many kings from Africa and Spain. You do not have enough power
to hold out against King Anglant, and many are the reasons to make you bow to him and pay him
tribute and declare that you derive your lordship from him. That this is the truth I intend to prove it