THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
up. Duke Namo commanded Balant to be brought to his tent and then he and the Dane mounted
and with lances in hand hastened after King Charles.
King Almont, having surmounted the hilltop, descended into a great valley. He was saying to
himself: “O wretched Fortune, of how much you have robbed me in a short time. Not three days
hence, countless kings and countless Saracens were subject to me, and now I have not so much as a
squire. Woe is me! Where have a left all these lords? Where are Triamides, Balant, Sinagon, Balant,
Lampal, Candor, Salatiel and all the rest?” And with these, he slumped forward, with his chest on
his saddlebow, calling for death or for a bolt from heaven to kill him. At last he said to himself: “If
Mahomet grant me the grace of returning to Reggio, I shall bring Ulien, King Moas, King Aliadas,
and Calinder,, Alicard, Danflor, Pantaleon, Sinador, and the valiant Maldachin, with many other
lords, who shall come to fight the Christians and avenge me.”
Riding along in this manner, he looked upon his lance and his shield and his other weapons and
exclaimed: “O must noble arms, how despicable a knight how wears you? O most noble steed, who
is it that now rides you? The most wretched knight in the world. O most noble ladies of Africa,
Almont has been a recreant in battle and is no longer worthy of your love. Woe is me! Balant,
where have I left you. Alas, Balant, when you returned they called you a traitor to me; and now it
may be said that I have betrayed you. Alas, my dear Gorant, how many battles you have won! Ah
woe, what gladness will I bring to your camp? A curse on you, Margon and Asperant, you traitors.
If I ever return to Reggio, I will cut you to pieces with my own hands. You called Balant a traitor
for bringing me true tidings about the Christians, and you yourself have betrayed me like cowards.
O you false kings, how could you contemplate so great a betrayal?”