THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
Charlemagne himself now entered the fight, but the outlook remained bleak. Presently a messenger informed him
that reinforcements under Hubert of Gascony and William of Scotland had just arrived at the Christian camp.
Sending Solomon to fetch them into combat at once, Charles resumed battle with a will. He killed Maladin, and
Ogier killed Argalias. But most of Christians still remained helpless against the murderous Ulien. Then Solomon
brought in the fresh Gascon and Scottish troops.
At Solomon’s arrival, Charles ordered Fulk to lead on with the Oriflamme and attacked. The destruction of the
Saracens was now at hand. On the other side of the battle, Gerard saw the Oriflamme advance in triumph and grew
envious of Charles’s success. He called Lord Clare and said to him: “Never come before me again until you have
brought me Anglant’s head. Roland, who is a mere boy, killed Almont with a spear shaft. Now all the honor shall
be his, unless we can do something on our part.” Then he himself rushed into battle with his Burgundians. The
Saracens began to panic. Alicard and Danflor on one side, and Calindres and Alchin on the other fled toward
Anglant’s tent. Only Ulien stood firm, but could do nothing against the Christian onslaught.
Ogier encountered Roland in the fight and said to him: “If we last two hours more, the day is ours. But stay by my
side, for even a rout can be perilous.” Roland replied: “Keep watch over yourself, and I will keep watch over me. Let’s
go kill these Saracens and stop this idle talk.” As Anglant sent in more men under Salindras and Cordoan, Roland
turned to Astolph, Otho, Berlingher and Angelet, saying: “See how the Duke of Burgundy is fighting over there. If
we do nothing, all the honor of the battle will be his, and we shall be shamed.” Seeing the dragon banner of Anglant’s
forces, they attacked them. Angelet killed Calinder, Otho killed Salindras, Roland killed Cordoan, and Astolph
killed an emir. The rest of the Saracens fled in terror. In another part of the field, Ulien sent Alicard into an attack
of Fulk’s Oriflamme guard, during which Alicard slew Hugh, the Seneschal. Roland, witnessing this from afar, sped
in his direction and stretched Alicard dead on the ground.
When Florindo and Alchin brought news of this to Anglant, he first sent out King Emanuel with ten thousand men.
Emanuel did much damage and slew Walter of Savoy, but was cut down by Ogier. Alchin, who rode with him fell to
Astolph’s lance, and Salindras to Richier’s sword. King Anglant was thus forced to go into battle himself, with his
whole remaining force, which still numbered a hundred thousand. Seeing that huge number, Charles prudently
withdrew somewhat and concentrated his ranks, and Gerard of the Thicket did likewise. He turned to Lord Clare,
saying: “Remember what I told you!” and then addressed his troops: “Have at them, my brave Burgundians! Let us
repay our debt to God.”
Anglant himself left his banners behind on a hill and descended into the valley to lead his hundred thousand. Now
the battle cries resounded: “Mounjoy Saint-Denis! Long live Charlemagne!” from the Christians, and “Tabir
Mohammed! Long live Anglant!” from the pagans. A terrible slaughter began. On one side, Charles’s men with the
Oriflamme once more advanced so strongly that Gerard, seeing this, grew envious. He decided to charge up the hill to
capture Anglant’s banners. Not even Ulien could stop him. Before long, Anglant looked behind him and saw his
own red dragon banner pulled to the ground. He tried to turn back, but was unable to break through the Christian
ranks. Gerard meanwhile sent his men back down to assist Charles, but said to Lord Clare: “Remember Anglant!”
Meanwhile, Ulien, Danflor and Florindo were battling Charlemagne’s troops. Danflor struck down Namo’s son,
Berlingher. Thinking he had killed him, Namo charged toward him, but Richier reached him first, cut him down and
helped Berlingher get free. Anglant saw his Saracens flee on all sides and wished to attack the Oriflamme himself, but
Ferrin of Oliphant persuaded him not to risk his person. Instead, Anglant sent out the great archer, Maldras of
Turkey. Maldras, seeing Charles, aimed a poisoned arrow at him. The arrow missed Charles but struck his horse,
which fell dead. Upon seeing Charles fall, Anglant rejoiced and promised to make Maldras a king at his return.
Just then Roland came storming through thick ranks of pagans and with his sword cleft Maldras down to the chest.