THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

477
© 2009 Max Wickert
Roland leapt into the saddle and rode toward Florentius’ army to do battle, but they all gave way to
him and fled. Samsonet, when he saw that Florentius was dead, took great courage and fought so
that no knight could withstand him, everywhere trampling down the Saracens. Great was the battle
and the slaughter then waged. Lances and arrows and stones were seen flying and death was
everywhere. Roland rushed into the press of Saracens, bursting through their thickest ranks, and
none withstand the knight’s great blows. Roland cried: “Ah, Christ, grant me the grace to conquer
Machidant’s army, so that I may go on to Jerusalem to conquer the Great Sepulcher and free the
way for pilgrims.” He cleared his path with Durandel and fought so well that all before him or took
to flight. The Sultan and Samsonet pursued them all the way to the seashore. Seeing them coming,
they all cried out: “We surrender; take our swords. Our lord Machadant has failed.” Roland rode
forward and blew his horn so loudly that they all fell back at the sound. Then Roland ordered all
Machadant’s men to disarm, and his command was obeyed. The High Constable rode back in great
triumph and had all the prisoners conducted to his tent, with great feasting and rejoicing in the
Sultan’s camp. Dionysia rode out from the city, accompanied by a crowd of matrons and maidens,
and knelt to the Constable. He took Dionysia by the hand, raised her up, and said: “Welcome,
gentle princess.”
The celebration of their great victory held by Samsonet and the Constable lasted for ten days. One
the eleventh, Roland said to the Sultan: “Now that Divine Mahound has graciously given us the
victory, I would be greatly to your profit and glory to go to Jerusalem and there besiege Machadant
and his son Liadras, and to lay waste to all his lands.” (Roland said this because he meant to
conquer the Holy Sepulcher.) The Sultan replied: “You counsel me well, Sir High Constable.” He at
once bade a great navy made ready to sail for Jerusalem, loading it with enough provisions to last six
months.