THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
and to all of you--he gave it, as you well know, at Vienne--of yearly tribute of gold and silver coin.
From the first year onward, he paid nothing, which shows that men in Aragon and Spain, where he
resides, hold Charles and all of you in great mock and scorn. Therefore you can conclude with
certainty that the Saracen people offer a strong threat to us. If you long allow them this respite, they
will show their teeth when you are defenseless front or rear. If a man is afraid that a fire will burn
down his house, he must needs extinguish it before it does greater damage. That is what I say
regarding Marsilius of Spain. Therefore, my lords, I would urge you to remember how much wealth
and gold Roland was able to offer from his cities—that is from Clairmont and Blaye and Angrant--
wherefore you should hold him in honor from this hour onward. I know not what more to say, for
I have talked too long already. As for myself and my men and my people, I hereby pledge myself to
Roland, and all of you should, so please you, do likewise. Then we shall go to conquer Spain and
the Highway of the Holy Apostle James. As for any man who would say that my words have been
wicked or false, I here maintain that he is a traitor and recreant knight.”
When he had ended his oration, the good duke took his seat among the other knights and nobles.
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Gryphon’s son Ganelon rose to his feet, whose wisdom could persuade many whenever he pleased.
He had risen as soon as Roland, made very fearful by his speech, for he had no desire for the entry
into Spain. He said: “My lords, to commence a war as suddenly as Richard has advised seems to me
a great folly, and will not be to the honor of any here present. I say that it would be better for
Charles to send ambassadors to him to demand the rich tribute, for I believe that he will know to do
his best to comply with every wish of my great lord Charles. If he refuses, we shall still try force to
persuade him to yield what he denies us. None could blame us for that. But if we begin the war, it