THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
meadow. His horse stopped in the midst of the great forest, Roland pricked him with the spurs to
make him go on, and could not move him. While he was straining to move his horse, he saw three
knights, armed head to foot, riding towards him with sword in hand. They were shouting: “False
Christian, surrender!” Roland threw down his lance to draw his sword, but could not dislodge it
from the scabbard
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Until this moment, Roland had felt no fear, but when he saw these he was deadly afraid. Unable to
move his horse, he tried to dismount and could not move from the saddle. He tried to draw his
sword and could not get it out of the scabbard. Now one of these three struck him a great blow on
the helmet and cried: “Surrender, Christian knight!” and the second did likewise, and so did the
third. Roland cried out: “Have mercy on my soul, O Jesus Christ, and be mindful of Charlemagne,
that he may not be defeated!” and tried hard to defend himself, but was unable to move. Roland
thought he was under an enchantment and signed his face with the cross. Then the three laughed
for joy and said: “Sir knight, surrender yourself to Christ, and swear fealty to us for Him, for we are
three saints sent by God to defend Christendom.” Then did Roland leave his saddle and fall on his
knees. They too dismounted, took his helmet from his head, and dubbed him Knight of Jesus
Christ, and each granted him a boon. Saint George granted him the grace of never finding a knight
who would overcome him. (Some say he also granted him the grace of never losing any blood.)
Saint Demetrius granted him the grace of never dying unless he asked for death. Saint Mercury
granted him the grace of not dying incommunicate if he was truly repentant. (Some say that also
granted him the grace of being undefeated in battle for three days. But I have not found this in my
book.) Each of them confirmed him as God’s Knight. Then they laced his helmet back upon his
head, helped him back on his horse, and said: “Return freely along the road you have come by.