THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
mounts, three could scarcely move, so worn were they by battle fatigue. Each of the men had taken
up a lance as he took flight
Almont, Charlemagne, and Roland
26-29: The Situation
26
So King Almont fleeing with lance in hand, and Balant, Sinagon and Gorant were with him. Almont
called on Mohammed and his other gods, saying: “Woe is may, who never fled defeated from the
field except from these Christian men! O Mars, god of battle, send a thunderbolt from the skies to
destroy me! O you perfect weapons, ill bestowed upon me, coward and recreant knight that I am!
For if I had been a knight as good as my weapons, I would have conquered all of Europe as far as
Brabant.” Amid such laments, they rode along a mountainside.
Meanwhile Ogier the Dane and his men reached the hilltop, casting down banners and pennants.
Charles arrived from the other side. Soon Duke Namo of Bavaria and many other lords joined
them. Charles asked some Saracens where Almont had gone and was told that he had fled almost
alone up into the mountains. King Charles spurred his horse, determined to pursue him even to
Reggio, so as to kill him in vengeance for the barons that Almont had slain. Ogier the Dane and
Duke Namo of Bavaria perceived his intention and, each bearing a lance, rode off behind him.
When they had left, young Roland, Miles of Angrant’s son, arrived on a mule, accompanied by
Namo’s sons, Astolph, Otho and Berlingher, along with the above said rearguard, unprovided with
armor and mounted, for the most part, on mules and pack animals. None of the four young men
wore armor. Young Roland inquired where Charles was and was told how he had ridden off into