THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

495
© 2009 Max Wickert
Charles. If you delay three days, our queen will bring you to shame, for Answig will make her his
wife, and possess her in wedlock that very night.” Charles answered: “What must I do?” The genie
answered: “If you promise not to mention God’s name, I will carry you to Paris in half an hour and
help you prevent this marriage.” Charles said: “I would be glad to do so.” So Charles mounted the
genie’s back, and the genie rose into the air and sped to Paris. As the genie flew above the royal
courtyard, Charles looked down and recognized one of his squires. He said, “Thank God, and the
genie instantly dropped him, but from very high up, since he was already descending to put Charles
down. Charles suffered a small hurt in his left leg, but then rose in some discomfort and made for
the palace.
When he arrived in the hall, he saw it illuminated by great torches and lamps, for all men were
gathered to see Answig go to bed with the queen. Now Charles took his seat on the royal throne,
even as he used to sit while he was in Paris. He looked around and saw the court seneschal, whose
name was Algiron, son to King Solomon of Brittany’s brother Guy. (His mother was Fierapas,
sister to Fierabras.) 88 He was one of two brothers; the other was named Baldwin. These two boys
were twenty years old. You must know that they were born in Africa and could speak Syrian in the
Saracen manner.
When Charles sat down on the thrown, all men began to stare. “Who is this old man?” they
whispered to one another. Presently an old man arrived who had once been Charles’ servant. He
recognized that this old man was Charles and instantly rushed through the hall, fell at Charles’ feet
and kissed them, saying: “Pardon, your Majesty; I knew nothing of all this.” Charles answered: “Ah,
wicked traitor, how could you act with such perfidy?” Then Algiron fell at Charles’ feet, along with
88 Salomon’s nephews, Algiron and Baldwin, with their parents, are major characters in two Carolingian romances,
Guy of Bourgogne and Fierabras.