THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

Mecca and Jerusalem
Dionysia
30
464
© 2009 Max Wickert
When morning dawned and the day grew clear, and the birds began to sing very sweetly, Roland
rose with his men. The twelve Peers counseled him to return to Charles’ camp, and soon all of
Roland’s men made ready, took leave of Felides and Dardanis and took the road toward Pamplona.
Ganelon and his brother, Duke Andrew, were saying: “Your majesty, Charlemagne, will you not
bethink yourself of Roland? We have told you before that Roland, believing that we had lost the
battle, was going into France to seize the crown and make himself King of France. He thought you
had perished with your whole army. Now, hearing that we have won the battle, he has marched on
the city of Napal and conquered all of it to make you believe that he has not been a traitor.” Charles
was greatly angered and swore by God that he would have Roland and all his men hanged.
Presently one of Roland’s spies informed him that Charles was threatening to have him hanged.
Roland was greatly angered, and, as he approached the host, commanded all his men to hold their
swords and weapons in readiness. He formed them all in battle order, and rode toward the host,
where no man dared to take up arms. Roland ordered all his man to kill anyone who offered
resistance. He rode past the ranks and arrived at his tent, where he and his followers disarmed.
Then Roland and the Twelve Peers of France prepared to go to Charles’ pavilion. When they had
arrived, Roland knelt to Charles, and presented him with the four keys to Napal and its territory.
Charles said: “Ill met, you bastard son of a strumpet. You deserted the field and left me in battle in
order to have yourself crowned over my kingdom. The curse of God upon you, you bastard!”