THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
this canopy because of the great heat, for it was the month of June. Baldwin quickly proceeded
toward the canopy and found Marsilius seated on a throne covered with cloth-of-gold and fine
jewels. When Baldwin saw Marsilius he was undismayed and, though blushing like a rose, rode
boldly up to Marsilius, saying: “I bring you a message from Charles, Emperor of Rome. He
demands that you renounce Mahound and all the other idols you worship, for they are not worth a
groat. You should believe in Jesus Christ and take holy baptism. Moreover, I say to you on
Roland’s behalf that you must send him the tribute due for twenty-two years. If you refuse, I say to
you: be on your guard against Joyous, Charles’ sword.”
When Marsilius had heard this embassy, he cried out in a loud voice: “Seize that wretched Christian
churl, for I swear by our god Mahound to have him hanged in contempt of Charles and his barons.”
In an instance Baldwin was surrounded by more than four hundred Saracens. When Baldwin, who
was on horseback and in full armor, saw what was happening, he lowered his lance, and thrust
through a count, felling him dead to the ground. Then he laid hand on his sword and struck out so
fiercely both left and right, that he killed more than twenty Saracens. But the Saracen press was so
large that they assaulted the knight and gave him four deadly wounds. When Baldwin saw that he
could not defend himself from that infidel crowd, he turned his horse about, rode straight at
Marsilius, bent down, and snatched the crown from his head. He then gave spur to his horse and,
despite all the Saracens, rode out of the city so badly wounded that his blood was covering all his
armor. The good knight sped on until he reached Charles’ tent. When Charles saw Baldwin, he
leapt up and rushed out. Baldwin handed him Marsilius’ crown and said: “Charles, why wait here
with your army, when Marsilius is nearby at the city of Saragossa with more than three hundred
thousand Saracens? You will be unable to defend against him if he marches on you with his whole
host. I have delivered your embassy to Marsilius, and found him more insolent than a bear or a