THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
turn out of the garden. Already Astolph and his company were on the move to succor Roland, but
when they saw him outside the garden, with none but Oliver riding against him, they halted and
stayed to watch. Oliver shouted to him and thereby made him stop. He put Alda down on the
ground, and Oliver gave him a mighty blow. Roland, between the blow and his fear that his lady
would be taken from him, seized Durandel in both hands and rushed at him with a force and fury
that would have slain, not just one Oliver, but three of them, one after the other.
At this point there shone out a miraculous splendor and a hand grasped the sword in mid-air, while
these words rang out: “Do not do this, Roland, for it is not pleasing to God. Rather curb your rage.
And do you, Oliver, at God’s commandment, give him your sister to wife. Make peace between
you, so that you may conquer the pilgrims’ Highway of Saint James.”
Hearing these words, both of them dropped their swords to the ground, dismounted, and embraced
each other with great tenderness. They swore brotherhood, along with the holy conquest. Then
both went back to pick up their swords, and removed the helmets from their heads. Roland turned
to fair Alda and said: “My lady, pardon me if I have offended you.” Alda knelt down and said:
“Whatever pleases God must please me also. You are my master by divine command, and I accept.”
Orlando grasped Oliver’s hand. They both bowed to each other and each gave the other
precedence. Roland remounted his steed and returned to his people. He came to the royal pavilion
and recounted that peace had been concluded, and how. At this the whole camp feasted, waiting for
confirmation from the city.
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