THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

491
© 2009 Max Wickert
to Duke Namo and said: “Tell me, what has happened to the Twelve Peers of France, and to the
soldiers of the Church that the Pope kept under my command?” Duke Namo replied: “After you
left the army, they took the road to Rome, and not one of them stayed in the camp.” Then
Samsonet said to Roland: “Who is this noble who seems of such high degree?” Roland answered:
“This is Duke Namo of Bavaria.” Then Duke Namo questioned Roland as follows: “Who is that
young knight with you?” Roland answered: “He is the Sultan’s son, whom I had baptized.”
Samsonet knelt to Duke Namo, and the Duke to Samsonet, and the two knight embraced with great
joy and contentment.
Then Roland told Duke Namo how he had caused Syria, Persia, and Babylon to be baptized, and
had founded a monastery on Mount Calvary in honor of the Holy Sepulcher; how he had met
Samson the Hermit, who had given him a crucifix from the angel Gabriel; and how, when departing
with his companions, he had looked behind and seen nothing at all, and how the castle had been
destroyed.
While these knights were gathered as I have told you, Oliver, Ogier the Dane, and Astolph of
England arrived. They all knelt to Count Roland and showed him great reference. The Twelve
Peers cam to look upon their commander, and every man gave great honor to Samsonet, all kneeling
at his feet. While they were gathered as you have heard, Namo related how Count Roland had been
for seven years in the land of the Saracens and had cause more then ten thousand Saracens to be
baptized. You must know that Charles had been at Pamplona for two years before Roland’s
departure, so that it is clear that nine years had passed since Charles began to besiege Malzarisse and
his son Isoler at Pamplona.