THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
more, for I want to say a few words to you.” Roland, seeing that Ferrau could not save himself,
began to praise Christ.
Then Ferrau said: “Lord Count, I am about to die and, because of your goodness and nobility, I
have no wish that you should die also. Look down into that valley. There Sinagon lies in ambush
with ten thousand Saracens, ready to aid me at need. Be on your guard against him, for he is a fine
knight-at-arms. I also advise you that, when you enter Lazara, you will find one of my sisters, who is
very evil-minded and governed by a demon. She has sharp claws like a lion. If she seizes you, you
are lost. Therefore take my surcoat and throw it over your own shoulders, so that she may take you
for me and run up to congratulate you. Then reach for your sword and cut off her head, wicked
woman that she is. Thus only can you escape her. I also beg you, O noble knight, not to strip me of
my weapons until after you have baptized me.” At this, Roland was wondrous glad. He took of his
helmet, ran down under the bridge, brought back the helmet filled with water, and baptized Ferrau.
When he was baptized, Roland drew out his sword, and Ferrau passed from this life. 84
. . . . . . .
84 Ferrau’s baptism and death bear a striking resemblance to Clorinda’s in Tasso’s Gerusalemme Liberata (Canto
XII). Perhaps I Fatti was a distant source (though probably an indirect one) for Tasso’s poem.