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THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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483<br />

© 2009 Max Wickert<br />

looked ahead they saw the high mountain. The knights felt so hungry that they could barely stand,<br />

since they had not eaten in two days. Thereupon Liadras began to say to Count Roland: “Ah, sir<br />

knight, you made me renounce my god and believe in yours; then you brought me to this pass when<br />

I know not in what part of the world I am, and my great hunger is trampling me down.” Liadras<br />

complained bitterly to Roland, and once again Samsonet besought him to trust in Jesus Christ and to<br />

stay firm in the Christian faith. Roland was very angry that Liadras would not listen and was did not<br />

stay true to the baptism that he had received.<br />

He once more rode off some distance from the knights, knelt down to pray and said: “Thou<br />

glorious Christ in Heaven, born in the city of Bethany, give me the power by your grace to lead<br />

Samsonet and Liadras to Charles, and let me pass over this great mountain with my companions.”<br />

Roland wept while he prayed in this manner, because Liadras was not a firm believer in Jesus Christ.<br />

Hear now of the great miracles that befell the knights because of Count Roland’s prayer: the<br />

mountain opened at its center, showing a plane along which the four knights could ride in a group.<br />

The knights mounted at once. Hugh rode in front, with Samsonet and Liadras behind him, while<br />

the Count remained on watch against savage beasts that might attack the knights. As the knights<br />

were crossing the mountain, it closed behind them. As they continued riding, Count Roland gave<br />

thanks to Christ for the great miracle that he had shown them. The knights suffered so much pain<br />

and trouble beyond all words because of their great hunger.<br />

The barons rode on until they came, on the other side of the mountain, to a great forest, and<br />

continued riding for two leagues. Roland looked ahead and saw thirty lions charging from a forest<br />

thicket. At their head came a huge lion, with a crown of hair upon his head, and that lion was<br />

completely white. At once Roland moved in front of his companions, leapt from his horse, and fell

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