THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
power and attack the Maganzas on one side. He himself and Charles rode out with a great army to
wreak heavy vengeance.
When Gerard had read the letter he, like an obstinate man more disposed to evil that to good,
answered the messenger pleasantly enough saying he would do everything in his power to destroy
the traitorous Count Flamingo and so sent the messenger back to Charles and Roland. He himself
sent through all his lands and, within ten days, mustered fifteen thousand knights. He came to
Bellandes, where Clare was staying, and brought his four sons with him.
Charles meanwhile left Paris with his banners spread, and encamped with fifty thousand knights.
He brought his host to Count Flamingon’s city, called Velagna, determined to lay hands on the said
count.
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King Charles encamped at Velagna, and Gerard heard of this. He therefore summoned Clare and
his four sons and said to them: “Dearest sons, you know that, when that traitor Charles assumed the
rule, he killed Guerrin, my brother and your uncle. Now he has caused the death of my nephew
Bussy and intends us to join his army so that he can kill us all and to seize the rule of Burgundy to
bestow it upon that bastard, Roland, the same man who showed so much hatred for you, Clare, and
for Bussy in Aspramont and in the fight with Troyan that he is seeking nothing less than your death.
They have laid the blame on Count Flamingon, whose family have ever been our friends. I have
therefore decided, since we seize neither Charles nor Roland, that we go to Paris and, if we are able
to enter the city, to set it on fire and burn it down. We shall put its men and women to the sword,
so that our vengeance for Bussy shall be forever remembered. After we have done this, we shall
despoil and sack all Charles’ realm during our return to Burgundy.” Clare wept at this and said: