THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
brother Bussy, and these others are the two sons of my uncle, Gerard of the Thicket. We have
come to Aspramont to defend the Christian Faith.” Then Ogier said: “And I am Ogier the Dane, a
knight of Charlemagne’s.” At once, they all cast their swords to the ground, embraced, and asked
each other’s pardon. Namo did likewise, and so did the Marquis, Rainier and Arnaut. But
Flamingon, when he understood who they were, mounted his horse without a word to Bussy, and
returned, wounded as he was, to the camp. From this action much harm ensued later on.
King Charles, beholding their celebration, rode up to them, as did Solomon, King Otho, Miles of
Angrant, and many other lords, along with Turpin. When he understood who they were and that
Gerard had come to his aid, he no longer worried about either King Anglant or his son Almont.
From the other side, Gerard and many of his lords galloped toward them.
Gerard dismounted when he saw Charles, and Charles too dismounted to show his respect for the
old Duke. Each walked on foot a good distance toward the other.
7
Fortune, ever ready to cast down the world’s estates, though sometimes disposed to exalt them,
nonetheless, as is her wont, is ever ready to make them fall by many strange causes.
In that place there was, between Charles and Duke Gerard, a certain trench that the water had cut in
the ground. The duke was hastening to cross it on foot since Charles had not yet reached him. He
had almost crossed it, when Charles met him at the edge of the trench and was bending down to
embrace Gerard. Gerard rose to embrace Charles. Charles was much taller than Gerard, so that it
was necessary for him to bend down. He already stood lower than Gerard, so that the cap that
Charles wore on his head fell from his head. Gerard picked it up and put it back on Charles’s head.