THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
honorable salute and then said: “Your highness, King Anglant, hear now and understand the rest of
my embassy.” King Anglant said: “Balant, do not make long words about it. But tell me, by your
faith: did you see Charles?” “Yes, by Mahomet,” Balant replied: “I saw him all too well, with more
than a thousand of his barons, all eager for battle. Little do they heed the threats of others. They
said to Charles that our coming is for them a full pardon by the Christian faith. Of my threats they
said that I was no noble, but rabble 53 . Mad in my eyes seemed any man who could behold
Charlemagne and feel no awe, so magnificent is he and so noble and great a king, a terror to his
enemies, a joy to his friends, and a pleasing speaker.”
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Enraged by the words that Balant was speaking, Anglant leapt to his feet and said: “Balant, I have
raised you since you were a little infant, and because of your virtue have made you a knight and
bestowed two realms upon you and placed a crown on your head, and have always placed my trust
in you. You know that seven years have passed since this host was gathered, and on my behalf and
to be advised in this war I have sent you to Charles, king of France, my principal enemy. His money
and his gold have now so corrupted you. He has given you so much that you have become his
vassal and you have betrayed all my secrets to him, and all my affairs of state. For this reason you
have merited the cruelest death.” Balant upon hearing these words rose angrily to his feet and
turned to Anglant, saying: “Hear me, most noble King Anglant: all that you have said, of rearing me
up and making me a knight and giving me realms and crowning me and settling me in marriage, all
this is true. Moreover you presented me with Trenzadia, my excellent sword. Of all this I am aware,
but I would remind you—I do not say this in your reproof—that there is not man in all this army
who has served you so faithfully as Balant, whoever he be, whether in Asia, Africa and Europe. And
if you have forgotten my services, I will recall some of them to your mind. You will remember that
53 My translation attempts (somewhat clumsily) to render the word-play “non barone, ma . . . briccone”.