THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

106-109: Clare’s Challenge [summary]
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© 2009 Max Wickert
Charlemagne had no sooner returned to Paris than he assembled an army of eighty thousand to relieve Gerard at
Vienne. His commanders were Roland, Ogier the Dane, Astolph, Namo with his two sons, Solomon, Agnelet,
Berlingher, Richier the Vassal, Fulk of Auvergne with his son Answig. King Flor arrived in Paris from Hungary
and joined the army, bringing Balant with him. Charlemagne set out and presently encamped near Vienne. Troyan
still believed that the Christians whom he faced had fled from Almont in Aspramont. Seeing this new army arrive, he
now consulted his soothsayers. Whether out of fear or ignorance, the soothsayers told him that these, too, were fugitives
from Anglant.
The watch at Vienna were puzzled as the Saracen army regrouped on the other side of the Rhone, but then caught
sight of Roland’s banners in the distance and recognized them. The rushed to Gerard with the good news, but he burst
out: “What is Charles doing in my lands?” Then he turned upon Lord Clare: “Fool,” said he, “your rejoice at
Roland’s coming. He will do battle with Troyan, and his victory will disgrace you forever. Go celebrate that!”
Hearing this, Clare called for his arms, rode out of the city, in full sight of both the Saracen’s army and
Charlemagne’s. He then sounded his horn and challenged Troyan to single combat. When an interpreter appeared to
ask him who he was, he answered: “Tell your king that I am Lord Clare, nephew to Duke Gerard of the Thicket.
Tell him that I slew King Anglant with my own hands.”
The interpreter carried the challenge to Troyan. Troyan turned to Pantalis and said: “That man is boasting to make
me afraid;” and Pantalis answered: “By now King Anglant will have taken Rome and is marching on France. These
Christians are desperate and in retreat from him.” Then Troyan armed and rode out to face Clare. He was terrifying
to behold and all the Christian wept with fear for Clare’s safety. Gerard, too, began to tremble for his son.
Meanwhile, Pantalis ranged the Saracens in five great squadrons, ready to descend upon the Christians after Troyan
had done with Clare.
The Duel Begins
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When Troyan came up to Lord Clare, he said: “May Mahound confound you, you false Christian,
who seek to frighten me with words. You sent word to me that you killed King Anglant with your
own hands. By Mahomet, I shall cut out that tongue of yours for uttering such bitter words, for you
are coward and wretched recreants who fled King Anglant and my brother Almont.” Lord Clare
replied: “What I have said is the unvarnished truth. Your brother Almont was slain by a young boy
who was not yet fourteen years old. He is the captain in that first rank that you see yonder, and he
even now carries the sword and the horn that belonged to your brother, and bestrides his horse
called Briador (though the Christians now call it Veglantin). I am here to fight you before you fall