THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
The knight remounted and saw the place where the prophet was crucified. He knelt down, drew his
sword Durandel, thrust its point into the ground, weeping, and prayed fervently. This is what
Roland said: “O Christ, born in Bethany 86 , I beseech Thee in Thy goodness to bestow your grace
upon King Charles and grant him victory over the pagan people. And do Thou help me in my need.
I beseech Thee also, O Virgin Mary, by the Cross which your Son bore at his passion up to Mount
Cavalry, where I stand at this moment.” Weeping still, Roland continued: “Ah, Jesus Christ, King of
Glory, lend me the grace to conquer that strong Machadant and his son Liodras, and to redeem the
Holy Sepulcher, so that pilgrims and palmers may freely visit it to accomplish their penance.”
When Roland had finished his prayer, he took Durandel, put it back in its sheath, and returned to
Samsonet who had long waited for him, not knowing where he was. Samsonet was exceedingly
afraid and looked toward the mountain to see Roland coming. When he did, he gave thank to his
Divine Mahound. When Roland came up to Samsonet, they both rejoiced exceedingly, mounted
their steeds and rode toward the camp where they had left the Sultan. There they stayed for many
days, waging battle day after day.
37: Hugh and Answig in Jerusalem [summary]
Meanwhile Hugh and his brother crossed the sea and came to Bethany, a Christian city in Palestine, ruled by a
Patriarch and guarded by a force of Templars. As the fleet approached Hugh caused all sails, shields and banners to
display Roland’s four-quartered device. Seeing this the Patriarch thought: “Surely Charles is crossing the sea to
Jerusalem, and sending his nephew Roland ahead.” But Hugh soon told him: “I am not Roland, but his cousin
Hugh, who has been sent by the Queen of France to find him.” The Patriarch then told him about the peasant
champion’s exploits in the war between Machidant and the Sultan, and Hugh began to suspect that this was Roland.
Machidant meanwhile heard of the arrival of a French fleet and took it for Roland’s. He dispatched his son Liodras
to Bethany to request Roland to defend Jerusalem and assist him against the slayer of his son. ( In fact, he meant to
lure him into the city to kill him.) Liadrax was unwilling to be the bearer of treacherous message. He agreed to go,
but vowed he would never lead Roland into a trap.
86 Bethany: Here and elsewhere, the author confuses or conflates Bethany with Bethlehem.