THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
arm, or the door shall stand open to what you ask.” Roland said: “I think you must be the devil, for
I am unable to pierce your flesh, and I suspect that you are enchanted by a demon and by
necromancy, against the law of God.” Ferrau made answer, with a little laugh. “Sir Roland,” said
Ferrau, “I know well that you are annoyed. I am neither a devil nor a man fashioned in jest. If you
please to hear, I will tell you how I have been enchanted. I was born under the planet Vacabias (so
our ancient Saracen forebears named it) and any man who is born under its influence is enchanted.
But when these children are born, a little flesh must be taken from their waist near the navel, and
this is where they are not enchanted. But for all that I do not fear you, for my waist near the navel is
protected by triple plates of steel, and my hauberk covers them.
Roland was very glad to hear this and said to himself: “I will make you regret these words.”
Thereupon Count Roland said: “Now I will tell you haw I am enchanted. When I was in
Aspramont, battling my ‘Ptolemy of Egypt’ (that is, Anglant’s army), alone, beneath a mountain, I
fought sword in hand with ten thousand Saracens, so that I could not defend myself. Against these,
Christ graciously willed to come to my aid. I looked up and saw four armored knight descending
from the mountain, all garbed in white, and these were four captains. These four knights saved me
from death and killed all those pagans. After that great battle, they dubbed me knight. One of
them was Saint George, the second Saint Maurice, the third Saint Dennis, and the fourth Saint
Vitalis. 83 Saint George gave me the accolade, Saint Maurice girded on my sword, Saint Dennis tied
my spurs, and Saint Vitalis gave me his blessing, so that I should never vainly shed my blood in
battle.”
Thus vaunting of their enchantments, they lowered the visors of their helmets and put their hands to
their swords. Ferrau aimed a mighty blow at Roland, and struck with such force that it laid Roland
83 Saint George . . . Saint Vitalis: The list of saints, it will be noted, differs from the one given in Aspromonte (III.70)