THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
Onward then! Let us repay God for what He has given us. He died for us, and we shall die for
Him.” Then he said, “Forward march!” to Lord Clare and to his brother Bussy, and they advanced
with lowered lances.
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Lord Clare and Bussy, with four thousand men, moved onward and, riding toward the banners,
came to an incline. Upon reaching a hilltop, they had but a little way to go to the banner train. At
that point, the banner guards sounded the alarm and ran to arms. Having thrown on his armor,
King Mattafellon moved against them with a great number. When he had come up to Lord Clare,
they charged each other with their lances. Clare thrust clean through his body and cast him from his
steed, leaving him dead on the ground. At this the Saracens were greatly dismayed, yet so great was
the multitude sent from Asperant and Margon that Bussy and Lord Clare were forced to give way.
Gerard came to their aid, and his two sons entered the fight. There were eight thousand Christian
knights and Gerard, though he was an old man, fought very bravely, crying out to his men: “Lay on,
men of Burgundy!” Ten thousand Saracens were killed at that point. Bussy, Clare, Arnaut and
Rainier occupied the hilltop, ever gaining ground in the direction of the banners. It was a mighty
and perilous battle.
Then Maron said to his brother Asperant: “By my faith, see how close to us the French have
advanced! By sheer force they have reached Almont’s banners. Balant spoke truly: these French
Christians are mighty warriors. If we do not get out of here, we are all dead men. Almont has acted
badly to fight the French without King Anglant. Since has so little care for us, why should we care
for him?” And Asperant said: “Indeed I intend to get away from here.”