THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
called for his own horse and made it take him to the royal palace, and went to King Charles to
obtain his leave. King Charles once more promised that he would be in Aspramont three months
hence to confront King Anglant and Almont, and that he would send messages to reply to any
whatever further messages were sent him, and gave license to depart to Balant, who went to mount
his horse and at parting said to Duke Namo: “By my faith, let me come to shame and dishonor if I
do not turn Christian for love of you,” and grasped him by the hand. The other bowed and said, “I
commend you to God.” Then Balant turned his horse toward Italy and rode for many days until he
reached Aspramont and lodged in the tower-fortress that King Anglant had caused to be built. On
the next morning he rode toward Reggio and found King Anglant outside the city taking his
pleasure near the royal tent under the shade of some trees, with many of his nobles.
Balant Returns to Reggio
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As Balant approached the army, there was a great noise of rejoicing at his return throughout the
camp. He, riding towards Reggio through the middle of the host, found king Anglant in the shadow
of some trees near the royal tent, with many nobles around him. When Balant saw him, he left his
saddle, and Hector, son of Lampal, held his stirrups while Butor, the seneschal, seized the bridle of
his horse. Balant made haste and arrived at King Anglant’s feet, threw himself upon his knees,
kissed his feet and greeted him in the name of Mahomet and Apollyon and Jupiter and Termagant,
saying that he trusted that these gods would overthrow Charlemagne, king of France, and all his
people, and declared: “My lord, I come from France and I have been in the fair city of Paris. O my
lord, what hardship I have endured on mountains and valleys and rivers and in the snows of the
Alps! I have stood before Charles and put your letter into his hands. I have never seen a fiercer
man, nor a fiercer king. He has so numerous and so handsome a following of lords that its equal