THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

399
© 2009 Max Wickert
prevailed upon Charles to turn to Gerard and say: “Noble Duke, let us put an end to these words,
for I have no wish to go to war with you.” Like a proud man, Gerard answered: “You would not
dare.” Charles put on a smiling outward face at this, but inwardly he grew more indignant with
Gerard. Had it not been for his respect for Namo’s honor, these words would have broken the
peace. Nonetheless he conquered his anger. Gerard and Charles rose and embraced, and were
much pleased at their accord. Gerard invited Charles to dine in Vienne, and Charles went there with
a hundred lords, surrounded by kings, dukes, counts, princes and marquises. Never was merrier
company seen than that which entered Vienne that morning. The whole host rejoiced and feasted.
The honor that Gerard bestowed upon the Emperor cannot be told, and it would take a long time to
describe their great splendor.
Oliver and Alda
125
While Charles sat at table in the great hall of the palace at Vienne, with Gerard at another table
facing the king, a young page, some fifteen years old, entered the hall who was so handsome and so
beautifully attired that all the nobility turned to gaze on him. He was carrying a golden dish lifted
high in his hand in which rested a roasted and crowned peacock, with its tail spread out. He knelt to
Charles and then drew back a little. Charles said: “My noble duke, who is this young fellow?” and
Gerard replied: “This is my son Rainier’s son. He is fourteen years old, or a little more.” When they
had almost finished dining, one of that boy’s sisters, accompanied by the duchess and her mother
and that same youth, arrived in the hall, playing sweetly upon a harp. Charles and Gerard had risen
and were sitting next to each other. When Charles saw that youth and the maiden, he asked after his