THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
And as he launched his sword with such violence, Roland raised his own sword and Troyan’s joined
hands came down on Durandel’s blade, which them both off and the fists fell to the ground, still
clenching the sword. Yet had it struck Roland’s helmet and completely stunned him.
Troyan, seeing that his hands had been cut off, uttered a great roar, threw himself upon Roland, and
grappled him with the stumps of his arms, drawing him to his chest and intending to drag him to the
river to hurl himself into it and drown together with Roland.
Clare did not move, but Richier called out to him: “How dishonored you shall be if you do not
rescue Roland!” Then Clare grew ashamed and gave spur to his horse, and Richier did likewise. But
Richier threw down his lance and drew his sword. A young knight named Answig had come with
Roland’s troop, and he, along with them, rode at Troyan. Richier arrived first and gave him such a
heavy blow in his helmet that Troyan dropped Roland. Then Answig, who was running up with
sword in hand, arrived and, while Troyan was bending forward, aimed his sword at his neck and cut
off his head. (All the Burgundian books say that it was Lord Clare who struck of that head, but the
French ones say it was Answig of Auvergne.) So died Troyan, King Anglant’s son. Now the great
battle begins.
118-121: Victory at Vienne
The field grew covered with corpses as Nabur of Egypt launched a furious offensive. Even Roland was unhorsed,
although his Veliantin was recovered through the bravery of Clare, Answig and Astolph, Roland then went to fetch
his companions, intending to attack the enemy’s flank. On his way he encountered Gerard, who said to him: “Do not
think that Charles’ help will force us to do homage to him.” “The emperor has no need of your homage,” Roland
replied; “we are only here to defend our fellow Christians.” Shortly after, Pantalis entered the fray and killed, one
after another, Roland’s cupbearer, Guy of Avignon, Baldwin of Angrant, and finally Angelet of Brittany.
The fall of these three heroes heartened the Saracens so much, that the Christians were unable to recover the bodies.
But Roland, Richier and Answig charged into the pagan ranks. Roland killed Nabur, Answig killed Nabur’s
nephew Alipandor, and Richier killed the Emir of Aragon.