THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

414
© 2009 Max Wickert
When evening came, Clare replied to Roland: “You ask me to make peace, but I cannot do so, for
my uncle Gerard will not leave me alone and would despoil me of all my lands.” Roland said: “To
keep him from taking away your lands, we will drive him out of Burgundy.” Lord Clare answered:
“Alas, Count Roland, I will be called a traitor, even as you are throughout Burgundy. They say you
killed my brother Bussy out of envy.” Roland replied: “By the sacrament of baptism, by my oath of
knighthood, and by the three saints who were my companions in Aspramont, I never felt any hatred
or envy against Bussy. God be my witness, if either I or my uncle Charles ever wished him harm.
But you committed a great sin by slaughtering so many Christians between Saint Dennis and the
gates of Paris, more than two thousand women and twelve thousand men, not to speak of children
trampled under your horses, and even pregnant women, not counting those whom you brought to
shame in Burgundy. Not even the Saracen dogs ever practiced such cruelty.” Said Don Clare: “The
fault for all this lies with Gerard. But I am bound oppose you or Charles to avenge Bussy.” Then
they resumed combat and neither had the vantage that day any more than the day before.
Near evening Gerard asked those whom he had with him which of them they thought had the worst
of the battle, and one of them said: “My noble Lord Duke, I am very sorry for Lord Clare, for he is
in great danger, and I greatly fear Roland’s valor.” Gerard had him thrown from the tower, and
therefore the other eight said only what they thought would please him.
At the end of the day, Roland and Lord Clare left the field. Roland repeatedly besought him not to
return to battle on the morrow. One rode back to Vienne and the other to his tent. The second
day’s combat was ended.
142