THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
once asked me for a boon, which was the land of France, and I promised you should have it after
Almont’s death. But I now recognize that you have not deserved it, nor any of you other knights,
coward that you are, who have abandoned my army and fled from battle. But the Christians do not
flee, frightened by neither shouts nor threats. You and the rest have caused Almont’s death. You
advised me in Africa to make passage hither; all of you seized France and Flanders in words. Now,
when there is need of you, you abandon the battle. No realm is ever conquered by flight.” As he
spoke, Calinder, Danflor, Abilant and Alchin also arrived. When Ulien had heard Anglant tell him
to he would go to sleep and take refresh himself somewhat and then rearm, Ulien replied: “My lord,
I do not say this to contradict you, but in all Africa and Syria there is not a man (not excepting your
own lineage) who has served you as well as I. Because of me, you hold Damascus and all Syria, and
Arabia, and Media, and Armenia. I have lost much of my blood on your behalf, and I loved Almont
better than any other man. Never once have I harbored a villainous thought against you.”
While Anglant was thus remonstrating with Ulien, a knight came before the king who was wounded
and whose whole armor was hacked and splintered. He said: “King Anglant, give me some of your
men to lead into battle. You have abandoned me and not sent me the help I needed.” King
Anglant said: “In faith, I do not know you.” He replied, saying: “The Saracens call me Aliadas. The
Christians are valiant men.” When Angland understood that this was Aliadas, he was plunged into
utmost sorrow and said: “O noble king, once in Africa I crowned Almont and Lampal’s son Hector,
and you were the third on that same day!” That King Aliadas had been wounded in battle by
Astolph of England and left for dead. He was then carried like a dead man from the field. Now he
fell dead at King Anglant’s feet.
Then Anglant pleaded and commanded all to return to battle. He sent Ulien back to the fight with
twenty thousand, and Calinder with another twenty thousand. Then he summoned Alicard and