THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
considering his ill fortune. Balant said to him: “My lord, a valiant man should show no signs of
grief, for, if you your men saw this, they would all flee for terror. Now that we have come to this
pass, let us fight to the death, for I told you the truth and you did not believe me.”
While they were talking like this, the day dawned. Almont and Balant went to a place from which
they could see the Christian forces which were already preparing to resume battle. Balant pointed
them out to Almont, who said: “Woe is me! Would it were Mahomet’s will for Charles to send a
single baron against me, so that this war may be brought to an end by single combat between us
two! How it grieves me that so many men will go to their deaths for us. I pray you, Balant, that it
be your pleasure to deliver this message to King Charles. I his champion should defeat me, King
Anglant and I, and Ulieno and Calinder, with our whole army, will return to Arganor and nevermore
wage war in Europe.” Balant replied: “My lord Almont, look at the Christians beginning to march
toward us. This will make it unsafe for me to go. Moreover, even if I were secure, the Christian
knights are so eager to fight us that they would not consent to let Charles send a single champion to
battle. But verily I say to you that today will show plainly who acts the part of a brave man, and
what prowess is theirs who boasted, to spite me, that they would so easily conquer Rome and Paris.
They said I was a renegade to Mohammed. Now it shall be seen whether I spoke folly or truth.
These are not the nobles whom we encountered in Russia or in Turkey or in Syria or in Persia. They
are surer in their faith and better armed, and the outcome will show them so. Yet am I Balant, who
shall never fail you even to the death.”
Christian Victory
12-14: The Second Day of Battle
Almont began the charge and cut down Count Antelm of Maine, the brothers Guerrin and Thierry of Brittany, and
many others, while Galeran, Briadas and Lampal killed Hugh the Little and two other Frankish Lords. Then