THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
no reason to say so, therefore be on your guard against me as against a mortal enemy.” Roland
made ready to reply, but Oliver took up his position. Roland needs had to fight.
They took their distance from each other and charged with their lances. Neither had the advantage.
Their lances broken, they turned to strike with their swords. Oliver struck a blow on Roland’s
helmet so mighty that sparks filled the air, and Roland struck him on the visor and nearly broke the
helmet. Oliver, feeling Roland’s blow, thought that he had used his whole strength. He shifted his
shield upon his back and struck Roland a two-handed blow. The blow was heavy and the marquis’
sword shattered in the middle. When Roland saw this, he began to laugh and said: “Oliver, you
noble youth, you see that you are left without a sword. It would not please God if you received
further harm at my hands, for after all you have done, we are certain that this depends on you. But
be you pleased to come to King Charles, and he will endow you with a greater dominion than
Gerard’s. You are very young. Do not believe Gerard, for he has forsaken god. You will find your
uncle Arnaut in the camp among Charles’ counselors, as well a Guiscard and Miles. I do not ask you
to yield yourself as a prisoner, but as a brother, and I promise to make you a member of my brigade
and company, second only to me.” Oliver replied: “Count Roland, if, as people say, you are a
gentleman, you will see that I have broken my sword. There is little honor in killing a defenseless
man. Let me go back to Vienne for another sword.” Roland answered: “By my faith, I will not
injure you for all the wealth in the world. It is completely up to you whether you go or stay. But I
strongly urge you: do not believe that mad old man, who seeks nothing less than your death.”
Oliver thanked him heartily and returned to Vienne.
Roland had begged him so urgently not to return to the fight, that he now believed he would not
return. Therefore he went back to his tend where he gave great praise to Oliver as a courteous and
valiant knight. During the following night, when he remembered the love he had bestowed on