THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
Oliver’s beautiful sister Alda, he thought as follows: “If Oliver tells his mother of the great courtesy
that I have shown him, Alda will surely be very glad of it, and turn her love a little toward me.”
Amid these thoughts, Roland, love-struck for the fair Alda, fell asleep until the next day.
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When Oliver had come back to Vienne, he presented himself with his broken sword before Gerard,
and told him how it had shattered at his second blow, and how Roland had courteously allowed him
to return. “But if I had a good sword, I would, by God, accomplish your revenge.” The renegade
gave no thought to Roland’s noble nature, but had the following report spread throughout Vienne:
“If his sword had not broken in Oliver’s hands, Roland would now be a dead man.” This report
was believed throughout the city, except by Oliver’s father, who what manner of man Roland was.
He now went to plead with his son not to return to the fight, but Oliver would not listen to him.
Gerard had the whole country searched for a good sword, and a Jew came to Gerard and said:
“There is, in my house, a good sword, very large and beautiful. We have had it for a long time, and
we do not know whence it came into our house.” Gerard had him bring it, and, after he read certain
letters on its blade, it was recognized as the sword which once belonged to Sir Lancelot of the Lake.
It was called Castigafolla later belonged to Bevis of Hampton while he lived and was called
Clarenza. 74 Gerard renamed it Hautclaire, had it beautified with new ornaments, and girt it on
Oliver, saying: “Be true and valiant as were those who bore it before.”
Girt with it and full of good cheer, Oliver on the next morning armed, mounted his horse, and went
to call for battle. When Roland heard that he had returned, he was very sorry. Nonetheless, he too
armed and, upon arriving for the combat, saluted Roland. Oliver defied him and they took up their
74 Clarenza: see Reali IV.15.