THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
resided there with twenty-two attendant queens. “And over there is the Lighthouse, and those white
things are sails. Of those two large vessels that shine like burnished gold, the one is Anglant’s royal
ship, and the other is the ship aboard which they offer sacrifice to the gods. Its sails are of silken
cloth, and the cordage that hoists them is similarly of silk. Atop each of their masts stands a
Mahound of fine gold.”
Then he showed them the army crowding against the mountains. It seemed like a cloud covering the
earth, with no end in sight. Then he rehearsed the names of all the kings and lords who
accompanied King Anglant, and how Ulien was the best champion in the army, and Aliadis next
him, and Maldachin third.
Having showed them all this, he said: “My lord Charles, prepare your battle ranks, so that the pagans
may not find you in disorder.” Charles clapped him on the shoulder and said: “If God gives me the
grace of returning to France, my homeland, I will make you lord of so many lands that you will be
forever content.” Balant gave him many thanks. Then Gerard, who saw the Saracens approaching
and forming in battalions, turned to speak to Charles.
55-56: Charlemagne’s Proclamation [summary]
He advised Charlemagne to issue the following proclamation: “Let any man, be he rich or poor, young or old, who
will fight bravely in this battle, step forward. I will knight him and if he prove his mettle, I will, upon my return in
France, endow him with an ample domain.” Gerard then rode back to his tower, and Charles ordered the
proclamation that Gerard had advised. Countless men sprang forward to embrace the offer.
Charles, seeing the multitude, withdrew to his pavilion and wept with grief, for he remembered his great losses in the
last battle and considered how many were doomed to die in the next. But Duke Namo admonished him, saying his
tears would spread fear among his people. At that moment, young Roland, who was lodged in a tent nearby with his
cousin Astolph and with Namo’s nephews, Otho and Berlingher, and with Angelet of Brittany, said to his
companions: “You have heard the cry go up. Let us ask Charles to knight us. If he will not, let us go to Gerard of
the Thicket.” Duke Namo and Ogier the Dane were still with Charles, urging him to stand by his proclamation,
when Roland came in.