THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

299
© 2009 Max Wickert
had completed their assigned tasks. They exchanged oaths to return to the duel later and together rode back toward
Reggio.
Along the way, Namo questioned Gorant about his mission. “I am sent to discover the strength of the Christian
forces,” Gorant said. “I can tell you that,” Namo answered; “there are sixty thousand in our vanguard and a
hundred thousand in our rear. The number of our center is greater than I can reckon. That is the truth and I swear
on my honor to repeat it to Anglant.” (In fact, the Christian center consisted of only a few Apulian and Calabrian
troops. But Namo truly did not know how many these were, but allowed Gorant to understand that they were beyond
count.) Before long, they reached Anglant’s pavilion, where Gorant treated Namo with great honor and told the king
of their encounter.
While a great number of Anglant’s nobles gathered around, Namo, not waiting to be lodged for the night, Namo
demanded to be heard at once. Anglant gave him leave and Namo asked him, with a smile: “King Anglant, have you
sworn to destroy my lord Charles.” “I have indeed,” answered Anglant, “and I will make him die a cruel death.”
“You have had foolish council,” said Namo; “now listen to me: There is One God in Three Persons. He made the
sky, the earth, the planets, the stars, the fishes, the beasts, and the sun and moon. He bade the earth to be fruitful
and fashioned man in His image and likeness. He sent the Flood and preserved Noah by means of the ark. In time,
He assumed human form for the salvation of mankind, was crucified, and went back to His Father. His name was
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, by Whose grace we are Christians. Charlemagne, King of France and Emperor of Rome,
maintains these truths, along with all his vassal lords, united in subjection to the Holy Church of Rome. He will
defeat you, you wicked king unworthy of your crown! He will utterly destroy you, you miscreant dog! I myself have
vowed to bring him your head.” At this he drew his sword and a hundred other swords leapt from their scabbards.
Balant now intervened, saying: “Brave Christian, it would be a shame to slay you here. Give me your sword and put
yourself in my safe-keeping.” Namo saw that he had no choice and handed over his sword. Anglant was still
determined to have Namo executed, but Balant said: “I spoke many a provoking word when I went on my embassy to
Charles, and was treated honorably. Let not his messenger now be slain.” Anglant relented and released Namo into
Balant’s keeping. Balant took him to his tent, had him disarm and sumptuously clothed. They then both returned to
the king’s pavilion and Namo, given full license to deliver his embassy, resumed as follows:
Namo’s Defiance
43
“Hear me, King Anglant: my lord Charles sends word to you by me that you have been ill advised to
attack his lands and to murder his subjects. He bids me ask whether you will await him on the field
of battle or flee from this place. Be advised that the greatest fear of Christians is that you may run
away. If Charles had consulted the wishes of his army, he would now be here himself. But Charles
is most careful of the welfare of his people and does not wish them to tire themselves. Therefore he
sends me to say to you that, if you await him, he would not desist from proving his worth against