THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
with never a pause between blows, that he seemed a very devil. Charles could not wound Almont,
but was barely able ward off his blows. He let himself lose much ground as he drew back, thinking
first to tire him out and then to strike. After Almont had given countless blows (he had burst
Charles’s shield and much of his armor, but could do no damage to his helmet), he too drew back a
little and said: “In truth, the man who gave you this helmet must have held you very dear. Surely
this is the helmet forged by Solomon the Wise, son of David.” Said Charles: “You speak truly. It is
the helmet that once belonged to your uncle, King Bramant.” Almont answered: “You cursed
Christian, is this the helmet for which my father was reproached by the minstrel? By Mohammed, it
shall not long be yours.” “Ah,” said Charles, “you will see to that, will you?” Almont cried out: “O
divine Mahound, why must I endure so much in opposing this enemy of your faith?” and then drew
his sword and threw himself at Charles.
Now who could describe the fierceness and cruelty of this assault? Charles was already wounded in
several places and now, enraged like a desperate man, hurled himself toward Almont, grasping
Joyous with both hands. But at the end of that sally, Charles had the worst of it. Drawing back a
little, Almont said: “O Christian King, too long, in faith, have you endured against me; but verily,
you shall at last find your death by this sword, which also was Bramant’s once and was given him by
Pulinor.” Charles made no answer and began to pray to God to help him, for he realized Almont’s
superior fierceness and power, so that he had begun to fear his blows. As they continued to fight,
Almont struck a heavy blow upon his helmet, followed by sword thrusts at his chest, so that Charles
was close to falling. Then Charles devoutly commended his soul to God. He had lost his shield,
and his whole armor was slashed and broken, except for his helmet, all of whose ornaments had
been disfigured by Almont’s blows. All the same, both fighters were very exhausted. Almont