THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
young Roland, who was the first to attack the guard.” “And you were the second,” young Orlando
added. Solomon said: “I have decided to send you to Lyon; or would you prefer Paris?” Young
Roland answered: “Faith, if I could, I would escape and come with the others to Aspramont.”
Solomon said: “Ah, squint-eye! Well do I see that if I sent you back, you would not go. But I will
send you to Charles, who will have you hanged.” Saying so, he had them well horsed, commanded a
hundred knights to keep them under close guard, and had them lodged in his own tent. When he
reached Charlemagne, so as not to be under suspicion, he surrendered the four youngsters to him.
Charlemagne took their coming very ill, threatening them exceedingly. But when he spoke of
sending them back, young Roland said he would escape. Thereupon Charlemagne decided to keep
him by his side, so that he might kill Almont with his club. Thus it was that their coming was the
work of God. So, as Charlemagne entered Rome, there was great feasting and joy throughout Italy
for Charlemagne’s succor. He remained in Rome for five days, and on the sixth desired to hear
mass with the Holy Father. He made rich offerings and made a bequest of a hundred ounces of
gold and a rich altarpiece. Having heard mass, he mounted and rode out toward Calabria. At Rome
there was a great gathering of Roman cavalry and infantry, and of huge crowds who had come for
the salvation of their souls. At this, Charlemagne was much comforted, who saw that the Christians
were more eager than might be believed; and he saw great help arriving from every direction.
Charles was moved to tears when he saw such fair multitudes ready for death. Nonetheless he
dubbed many knights from foreign lands during that voyage, who had come of their own will to
lend aid to the Christian faith.
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At Charlemagne’s arrival in the Aspramont mountains, our author takes leave of him and returns to
Duke Gerard of the Thicket, who, fired by wrath and full of wicked thoughts, sent for all his subject
lords after Turpin’s departure. When they stood before him, assembled in council in the great hall,