THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
the shadow of a pine tree and called to three of his knights. The first was called Natasard of Mosun,
the second Naboradais, and the third Joserin. He bade them bear the following message to Charles:
that he greatly wonder at their coming, since Spain had given no provocation. He said that, if
Charles was willing to send his champions into the field, “I am prepared to do man-to-man combat
with Roland and Oliver, as soon as they cross the bridge. If I can trust my mace, I shall kill some of
your best knights.”
The three messengers rode toward Charles’ army, and Ogier and all the rest came to see them.
Roland himself came, and greatly marveled at Ferrau, for he had never in his life seen a bigger man.
Gerard of Roussillon rode out to meet the messengers, saying, “What is it you want, gentlemen?”
and when the messengers replied, “We are Ferrau’s envoys,” he conducted them to the Emperor.
19-22: Ferrau Captures Ten Peers 81 of France [summary]
Nabordais refused to greet Charles and said: “In invading us, you have acted more wickedly than Alexander against
Nicholas or Paris against Menelaus. You will be punished and destroyed.” Charles was silent for a long time; then
he said: “We fear no man. Your king has long withheld the tribute he owes me, and has broken his promise to make
Roland heir to the Spanish crown. We are here to demand our rights.” Oliver added: “If your master is what he
pretends, we are ready to fight him man to man.” Nabordais answered: “We have come for nothing else. Let Roland
come to fight Ferrau. If he is overthrown, you must return to France; if he wins, Marsilius is the loser and your road
into Spain is clear.” Oliver said he was ready, as did Roland. Astolph rose and put his hand around Roland’s neck
and said to the ambassadors: “This knight is the rightful king of Spain, and if your lord faces him in battle, it would
be better for him never to have been born.” The envoys said that Ferrau would do battle with any or all of the twelve
peers of France and were given leave to depart.
Lazara was situated on the banks of a deep river which was crossed by a great stone bridge. On the yonder side of this
bridge Charlemagne’s army now gathered and the twelve peers stepped forward, with Ogier bearing the Oriflamme.
Ferrau stood on the walls, accompanied by his tutor, King Sinagon, and crowned with a diadem of pearls. Seeing the
twelve peers, he was eager to do battle with them.
On the following morning, he went to pray for victory. Then he armed and rode out on a gigantic courser, a gift from
the Sultan of Persia. He sounded his horn and demanded battle. Ogier, who had fought with him in the past, grew
hesitant, until Astolph of England said to him: “Why are you not riding out to answer the call?” Angrily, Ogier
gave spur to his horse and rode toward the bridge. “I know you,” cried Ferrau; “we have fought before and I unhorsed
81 Peers: in Fatti, the term ‘Paladin’ is rarely used and applied exclusively to Roland, his companions are more
commonly called the ‘Twelve Peers [or Twelve Barons] of France’. Their list overlaps but does not exactly
coincide with that of Andrea’s Paladins. See n. [143] above.