THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

433
© 2009 Max Wickert
When Roland parted from Oliver, Alda recomposed her hair and was placed on a palfrey. Oliver
remounted his steed and rode back into the city. When he stood before Gerard, he revealed how
things stood. Gerard was very grieved at the news; nonetheless, he put on a cheerful mien and
pretended to be glad. This made Oliver trust him and he sent word to Roland that Gerard was
delighted. That day nothing else followed; already signs of peace were seen on both sides. Gerard
sent back an answer, saying that he wished to prepare some festive display, and that he would soon
do whatever pleased Charles. Along with this, he issued a pardon to his sons and they returned to
Vienne.
It happened that three days later King Charles was pleased to go unarmed into Vienne, fearing no
molestation. Gerard saw this and, by making two thousand knights issue from two gates, had
Charles surrounded and forcibly taking into Vienne. Count Ganelon and King Solomon of Brittany
were captured alongside him.
When the news spread through the camp, Roland angrily ordered the camp to come to order and
sent letters throughout the realm, raising so large a force of men that in less than a month three
hundred thousand Christians gathered for him around Vienne. Duke Namo went into close counsel
with Roland and they determined to send ambassadors to Gerard, after first asking him for safe
conduct. After they had received that safe-conduct, he sent for them. That night he had gallows
erected on the walls and announced that he intended to have Charles hanged. However, when
Oliver heard of it, he armed and put many of his friends under arms, saying that he would never
permit it.
Gerard heard of this in the morning, and became aware that he had acted badly. Nevertheless, he
awaited Roland’s ambassador, who was the Duke of Bavaria. When he arrived in the hall, he