THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
answer this but said: “Here is a letter that fully declares the will of my liege. Take it and read.” And the letter was
read aloud in the presence of all the nobles. In it, Charles reaffirmed all that Namo had said, adding that he had
come within three months time as promised, and that he now demanded battle. “Before the snow melts,” he concluded,
“we will come face to face at Reggio.”
Namo again sought to dissuade Anglant from war, but in the end a place and day of battle was agreed. It was to
take place on a field at the foot of the Aspramont mountains on the second day of November. ( Later events, however,
were to hasten the day.) Then Anglant once more dismissed Namo into Balant’s custody.
While at supper, Balant told Namo of his intention to become a Christian when all was over; he could not do so now
without treason, since he had sworn allegiance during Anglant’s lifetime.
Later that evening, the queen sent for Namo. She greeted him graciously and invited him into her rich pavilion.
There she seated him on a rich carpet and looked at him attentively, while a damsel played the harp and sang of the
loves of Paris and Helen, and of Tristram and Iseult, “Are all the Christian knights,” she asked, “as handsome as
you?” “I cannot say,” said he; “but surely there are some who are stronger and better looking.” “Are you married?”
she continued. He said he was not. Then she warmly pressed his hands and handed him a ring, saying: “Guard this
well, for it has wondrous powers. I am giving it to you so that I can say, when I return home, that I have a Christian
knight and lover. If I could believe that you loved me as much as I love you, your image would never leave my heart.”
He was much moved by this, and she gave him leave to go. Then she fainted, so much in love was she.
On the next morning, Balant offered Namo splendid gifts of treasure and horses, but he courteously refused them all.
However, he accepted, as a gift for Charles, along with Balant’s promise to be baptized, the splendid white steed that
Gorant had ridden at their meeting, along with a silver saddle and caparisons of white silk and a little Moorish stableboy.
Balant and Namo rode out of camp with a splendid escort of four hundred knights. They ascended the
Aspramont and were lodged that night in Almont’s tower-fortress. (Almont himself was absent foraging) On the
next day, Namo presented Balant with a little silver crucifix and hung it about his neck, saying: “While you wear
this, no evil spirit can harm you.” Balant accepted it and hid it under his shirt. They were already within sight of the
Christian vanguard, when they said goodbye. Balant turned back and Namo rode on toward Charles’s camp.
Namo was joyfully welcomed back by Charlemagne, who gratefully accepted the horse sent by Balant. Then Namo
told him at length all that had befallen him, and counseled him to beware above all of Almont. He was the Saracens’
best hope; if he could be killed, they would be panic-stricken. On the next day, Charles ordered his army in four ranks
and the whole host began moving into the mountains. At day’s end, they encamped by a river one league’s distance
from Almont’s tower-fort. All around them, he countryside lay devastated, and all its people had either fled or been
killed. Charles wept to see it.
Gerard of the Thicket in Aspramont
A Raid on Almont’s Baggage Train
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