THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

On the twelfth day, the Sultan said to Roland: “I shall put ten thousand knights under your
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© 2009 Max Wickert
command. If you want more, take them. On Samsonet, I will bestow fifteen thousand. I myself
will take sixty thousand to form the rear of host.” When his whole army was disposed in this
manner, they embarked and sailed and came to land one league from Jerusalem. There they made
camp with the whole host. So that great army encamped day after day at Jerusalem, fighting mighty
battles.
One day, Roland said to Samsonet: “What mountain is this that rises near the city?” Samsonet
answered: “This is the mountain where the prophet of the Christians was crucified; it is called
Mount Calvary.” Roland said: “In the morning, please take me to the place where that prophet of
the Christians was crucified, for I have heard that he was a holy man and a just.” Evening fell, and
every man went to rest in his tent.
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After Roland had risen in the morning, he put on a good hauberk, slung Durandel to his side, and
mounted his steed. Samsonet had just arrived, and he said to him: “I desire to go to that mountain,
for I wish to see where that good prophet of the Christians was crucified.” The two knights
mounted and took their way toward Jerusalem. When they arrived at the mountain, Roland said to
Samsonet: “Wait for me here, while I go up the mountain.” Roland dismounted and left his horse
with Samsonet. Then he maid his way up the mountain and looked about. Near the summit, he saw
many whores, of the kind who had dwelt there ever since the prophet had died. Roland asked what
kind of women these were and was told the truth. Then Roland commanded them to be gone at
once and never to return. From that time onward, none of them continued to live there.