THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
Another mount for Charles was quickly found and the rout of the Saracens continued. (Among the Christians who
fought with distinction was Ganelon of Maganza.) As the pagan army began to scatter in flight, Ferrin persuaded
Anglant to retreat to higher ground. Elsewhere, even Ulien tried to retreat, but his way was blocked by Richier the
Vassal. They exchanged formal challenges and fought a fierce duel in which Ulien was killed. At his death, Ulien’s
horse bolted and could not be caught. It arrived near Almont, covered with blood. The king collapsed with sorrow at
the sight, but Ferrin held him up, saying: “Look, my lord, the Christians are advancing against us. For God’s sake,
let us get away from here.”
Almont and the remainder of his army now occupied a hilltop. Charles was charging up the hill from one side, and
Gerard, from the other. As he met Charles’s attack, Ferrin was killed by Solomon. Almont, seeing his last champion
cut down, began to flee downhill. He still had twenty thousand men. Lord Clare noticed his flight and, remembering
Gerard’s command, went in pursuit. At the same moment Roland reached the top of the hill. Seeing Clare following
Anglant, he too followed, but took a path that, he thought, would take him ahead of them. Gerard, fearing for
Clare’s safety, also decided to follow, taking Bussy and some five thousand men with him.
Meanwhile, Anglant had reached a little valley. He now rallied his troops, saying: “The Christians are scattered and
busy with pillage. It will now be easy to take them.” Lord Clare, seeing them turn back in his direction, grew afraid
of their numbers. He would have fled, but, seeing Roland coming toward him from the side, grew ashamed, put his
lance in rest, and charged the pagans. Roland said to himself: “It will be my eternal shame if I do not help this man.”
He, too, put his lance in rest and charged.
Had not Gerard arrived at this moment, they would both have perished. But the Burgundians attacked bravely.
Bussy killed Carsalius of Albania; Roland killed Gurondalis; Clare killed Sinagar of Morocco. Then Ogier, who
was looking for Roland, also arrived, with Namo and Astolph. Anglant, in a desperate last stand, killed Walter of
Lyon and overthrew Gerard’s son Miles and Otho, although these two recovered. Finally, Druon and Desiderius
arrived to swell the Christian force. Seeing himself thus outnumbered, Anglant slipped away alone through a valley,
while all his men were being put to the sword by the Christians. As Anglant began to ride up a nearby mountainside,
Clare once more caught sight of him and followed, and Roland followed him. Not far behind them came the main
body of Charles’s army. Balant was with them and, when he beheld his old liege in flight, was overcome with pity and
rode to meet him, so that he arrived at almost the same moment as Lord Clare.
Anglant’s Death
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King Anglant left the battle, filled with grief, rage, and worry. He intended to make his way to
Reggio to find his navy. (The Mustapha had sacked the city of Reggio and burnt it to the ground.)
Now, as he was descending from his hill, Lord Clare was behind him, loudly shouting: “Sir knight,
you who display that red dragon in a silver field, turn back toward me, if you are a gentleman!”