THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

457
© 2009 Max Wickert
manage to bring it to a successful issue.” Then Ferrau answered: “I will not leave off fighting
Roland for all the Marsilius’ wealth, for if I win, I will be able to say that I have defeated the best
knight in the world.” He had his armor made ready, armed up to the hauberk, and then himself but
on that hauberk, made of tempered Cappadocian leather, exceedingly strong and studded with
precious jewels. Then he took up his shield and lance and left the city on foot, for he could not find
a horse strong enough to carry him, since Roland had killed his own during their second battle.
Behind him came Sinagon with four thousand Saracens, to help him at need, for the dream that had
visited Ferrau made them very fearful.
As soon as Ferrau entered the field near Roland, the knight defied each other to the death. They
fought on foot. Both drew their swords and launched a mighty onslaught. Ferrau drew near to
Roland and gave him a terrible blow that made him bow to the ground. Count Roland rose up at
once, took tight cover under his shield, and seized Durandel in both hands. He struck at Ferrau and
gave him a blow that sent him sprawling. Ferrau rose in a rage.
From assault to assault, the knightly combat continued until the third hour, and neither could prevail
over the other. Now Ferrau stepped back and lifted the visor of his helmet, and Roland did
likewise. The knights menaced each other with death, and then Ferrau sheathed his sword, picked
up a great rock and turned to hurl it at Roland. Roland would not have met it for all the wealth of
the King of Portugal, so that he moved toward the city to escape it. At this, Ferrau cried out:
“Where are you going, Roland? Do you mean to storm a city so well guarded by countless barons. I
doubt that you will be able to take it. But what are you doing? You shall not do with me as did
Alexander the Great, who faced a rain of rocks and lances rather let any man believe that he could
flee.” Roland, who understood that Ferrau was calling him a coward, stepped forward, with his
sword on guard. Then Ferrau hurled the rock at Roland, but Roland did not wait for it, but jumped