THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
between them, Duke Name saw Almont ascending a mountainside. He was riding swiftly some two
miles away. After speaking words of comfort to Balant, the Duke asked him: “Who is that knight
riding over there on such a mighty stallion?” and pointed him out with his finger.
Balant said: “That is none other than Almont, King Anglant’s son. He is the best knight in all the
world, and he never lost any fight he fought man to man. In a single day, he once overthrew two
giants and three crowned kings. He is headed for Reggio, where his father Anglant resides. He is
the flower of all Heathendom, and he will return to fight you, and you will not, I think, be able to
withstand him.”
While they were gazing in his direction, Almont surmounted a hill and rode away toward a wide
valley that was called Pine Valley because of the large number of pine trees that grew in it, so that
Balant could no longer see him. But he saw another knight ascending the incline behind Almont.
Balant asked Namo who this was, and he told him that it was Charlemagne. “By my faith,” said
Balant, “Charles is ill advised to pursue the bravest champion in the world, for if he becomes aware
of him, you will lose your Emperor. Therefore, if you love him, ride after him, for what Charles is
doing here is not wisdom, rather it is folly to pursue that man all by oneself.” At this, Ogier and
Namo were exceedingly dismayed, for Namo could not see his black stallion, and Ogier the Dane
had no horse, since Almont had killed his.
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Namo and Ogier wept fearing for Charlemagne and began to call for horses to some knight, asking
them to keep Balant safe and free from harm by other Christians in the army. Balant was eager to
help them, since he was well aware of Almont’s strength. Before long, some Christians nearby came