THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
Roland marveled hugely at Troyan’s great prowess and prayed God to save Lord Clare from death.
Troyan, seeing Lord Clare thus born away, waited no longer, but turned upon Roland. When
Roland saw him coming, he cast down his lance, drew his sword to confront him, and spurred on
his horse. For a while they lunged and slashed at one another, turned their steeds by the force of
their spurs, and closed in upon each other with piercing sword blows.
Meanwhile Clare recovered, but thought it unknightly to attack Troyan. The Saracens would have
come to Troyan’s aid, but he had given commands that none should dare to do so. He fought more
bitterly against Troyan than against Lord Clare, and struck him so heavy a blow that Veliantin bore
him away stunned. Now Troyan turned to Clare, shouting: “Recreant knight, why did you not come
to the aid of your friend?” and charged him, and Clare charged back. They engaged with their
swords. After just a few blows, Troyan once more struck Clare senseless, and once more turned
upon Roland. However, Roland asked for a short parley and Troyan said: “As you wish.”
“Ah, valiant King Troyan,” said Roland, “great is your prowess, but I will not fight any more unless
you swear to me upon your faith not to take up another quarrel until either you or I have completely
fallen.” Troyan answered: “I agree, by Mohammed.” Thus they swore and then the assailed each
other and began the bitterest fight that was ever fought between two knights, either at that time or
in all of Charles’ days.
While they were fighting, Clare, who witnessed such valor in Roland, began to say to himself: “If
that man survives, he will become the best knight in the world and snatch the honor from every
other knight alive.” He began to hate him and would gladly have seen him slain, so that the glory of
knighthood would remain his own. Meanwhile, continuing the fight, the two champions were
utterly shattering each other’s armor.