THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

The Return to Pamplona
Island Shipwreck
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© 2009 Max Wickert
While Roland abiding as you have heard, he had a great vessel prepared to go to sea, for he desired
to go to Pamplona to see Charles. Samsonet and Liadras told Roland that they wished to go with
him to Charles, which gave Roland much contentment and joy, for they were the sons of crowned
kings. Roland prayed to Christ to grant him the grace of leading both these knights to Charles.
Soon Roland told Hugh, Samsonet and Liadras that they would set out for Pamplona on the next
morning. He summoned the Patriarch and told him: “I commend Answig to your care; never in
your life abandon him.” Roland crowned Answig king of all Syria.
When morning arrived, Roland armed from head to foot. Hugh, Samsonet and Liadras prepared to
embark, along with many other barons, hermits and pilgrims who wished to go with Roland to see
his Christian countrymen. Roland boarded the ship with his company and the many other lords,
took his leave from the Sultan, and urgently commended the fair Dionysia to the Patriarch. The
mariners pushed off from shore and entered the great sea with a good wind behind them. While
Roland and his companions were sailing over the sea, they endured much pain and hardship day and
night, for one morning the air grew so troubled that the sea was tossed by a great tempest and wind
and water swept over them. The spars of the masts fell into the sea and the whole ship was so
battered that they were driven violently against an island. As pleased Christ, Roland, Hugh,
Samsonet, and Liadras jumped from the ship with all their horses and arms, but most of the other
lords in the ship went to the bottom of the sea.