THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

439
© 2009 Max Wickert
Verily you have no sense of the benefits you have received from either God or King Charles, since
you no longer recall how ten years have already passed since you turned pagan and abandoned all
here present, and the pour orphans throughout this countryside. Now your great sins lie heavily
upon you, and the devil shall have you in hell, both body and soul. Consider this, at the present
moment, and do not meddle with times to come. I will say this much: I advise you to be the first to
enter Spain, and not to be tempted to say anything more, for your wickedness shall be of no help to
you. It is better to be silent” (said Roland) “than to speak evil. My lords and nobles,” Roland
continued, “you will remember that great treachery that Marsilius so often used in the past, though
he vowed fealty and honor beneath the walls of Vienne, in the days when Gerard of the Thicket
summoned him to destroy Christendom. You all know and are aware of it. You should never
forget that great outrage, for he would not have hesitated to destroy and kill us all. Now the
moment and the opportunity has arrived to be revenged against the pagans, and I myself stand ready
to be the first to go with my twenty-thousand and six hundred and sixty six knights 80 . If you act as
you have been found to act in other times, you need have little fear that castles or fortresses or
walled ramparts will hold out against us. If what I have said makes you hesitate, let the best of you
sift out this matter together.” At this proposal, while the court sat greatly wondering at Roland’s
words, a knight rose to his feet.
4
It was Richard of Normandy who rose to his feed and all heard his words gladly, for he was a wise
knight and of excellent understanding: “You have fully heard the words of Miles of Angrant’s son,
namely Roland, who complains of Marsilius, brother of Balugant. He broke his promise to Charles
80 Twenty-thousand and six hundred and sixty six knights: Aspramonte gives the number 20,600 for the count of
Roland’s honor-guard (see III.56 and elsewhere). The Fatti introduces this somewhat quibbling refinement.