THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
thought that there was no valor in the whole world to match that of Charlemagne, the king of the
Christians, and Charles thought also that in all Christendom there was no man to match Almont.
As they had thus battered each other in the fight, Charles lost a great deal of blood. Now, as they
closed in upon each other, Charles was not striking as mightily as was his wont, and Almont seemed
not to have lost his vigor. He now grasped the aventail 59 of Charles’s helmet and, pulling at it, burst
the straps and drew the helmet from his head. Charlemagne stood helmetless and shieldless and
realized the great peril in which he stood. He was aware that, if he drew away from the pagan, he
was a dead man. It then occurred to him that, if he grappled with him, this might be his salvation.
He therefore grasped him around the waist with both arms and pulled with all his might, so that he
fell backwards, with Almont atop him. Almont was much taller than Charles so that Charles’s head
came up to his chest. Charles held him so tightly that Almont could not get between his chest and
the ground, but struck him on the head with the sword pummel, saying: “It was a poor decision of
yours not to yield yourself to my mercy.” Having him thus in his power, Almont continued: “O
Charlemagne, surrender to me, since for the knightly courtesy that you have shown me I shall still
spare your life.” Charles answered: “I pray for life to none but Jesus Christ. As for you, do me only
one favor: give me enough time to offer a little prayer to my God.” Almont said: “So help me
Mohammed, I am content.” Charles prayed to God and commended his soul to Him with many
tears, beseeching Him not to regard his sins (for he was a sinner), but to protect the other Christians
who would fall into the hands of this dragon and perish, if he perished here. Hardly had he finished
this prayer, when young Roland, son of Miles, rode up on Duke Namo of Bavaria’s black stallion,
wearing no armor and weaponless, and saw Charlemagne thus prostrate beneath Almont.
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59 aventail: orig. camaglio, technical term for the chain-mail hood and neckpiece worn beneath the helmet.