THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

283
© 2009 Max Wickert
and lords, who will be mentioned at his departure from Rome, when they departed thence to go to
Aspramont.
24
Having sent many ambassadors, Charles summoned Archbishop Turpin and said to him: “Noble
Archbishop, I pray you and entrust you with a great need of mine, for I bestow more hope in you
than in any other ambassador. Go hence into Burgundy to Duke Gerard of the Thicket, who (as
you know) is so haughty than none other would dare come to him. But since you are related to him
and a churchman, he will not deal with you as with others. Ask him to come to our aid, since, if
King Anglant should chase us from the field, it is plain that no other lord will oppose King Anglant.
Therefore let him bethink himself and come to our aid and his own. Tell him how King Anglant
has taken Reggio across from the Lighthouse of Messina, and has vowed to sack Rome this very
summer.” Turpin replied: “I shall go, but at great peril, since Gerard is extremely proud and has
four sons and two grandsons. Nor will he hold his lands either from you or any other man.”
Charles said: “My dear Archbishop, Gerard’s exploits are too well known to be mentioned, for you
know that we are well aware of Gerard’s pride. But in these straits we must not call to mind our old
enmity. For God’s sake, think of reminding Gerard of the Christian Faith. He is very powerful, and
if he joins this enterprise, he could be the cause for saving all Christendom. If he does not come, he
will be destroyed in any case; for, if King Anglant defeats me, he will defeat him; and if I defeat King
Anglant, let Gerard not think that I will refrain from revenge, since he will remain an enemy of all
Christendom. But if he comes to Aspramont, all our enmity shall be forgotten.” Turpin answered;
“I shall be your ambassador.” Then Charles added: “My dear Archbishop, let me pray you to have
young Roland, Miles of Angrant’s son, and his cousin Astolph, the King of England’s son, kept in
prison at Lyon or some other place, along with Namo of Bavaria’s two sons, Otho and Berlingher,
for our host has no need of children.” Turpin replied: “Your Sacred Majesty, leave it to me, I shall