THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
to Saragossa and kill him and all his men.” Ganelon replied, “Your majesty, I shall do whatever you
command.” At once he armed, mounted in the saddle, and took the letters from the emperor. He
did not, however, do this willingly. He soon crossed the great woodland of fruit trees and then the
mountains until he found the road to Saragossa.
It was the hour of the first sleep, and the moon shone fair and clear. As Ganelon was riding with an
ill will, he saw a knight riding through the forest and heading toward Saragossa. He was called King
Blanzardine of Valnoir, one of King Marsilius’ counselors. As Blanzardine rode behind him, he
overheard some words that Ganelon was saying against Roland, such as, “You are sending me to
Saragossa to cause my death and to let Marsilius hang me. I swear to God that, before I return to
the army, I shall tell such a tale that you will not see its end in your lifetime.” Ganelon rode on
without taking note of Blanzardine, nor Blanzardine of him, but all along Ganelon went on
complaining of Roland. At last, a little after midnight, Blanzardine, who had taken all these words to
heart, drew near to Ganelon and said: “Sir knight, after all you have said, I can promise to have
Marsilius make you king of all France. It is up to you whether Marsilius remains lord, or whether he
will be undone and deprived of his kingdom. You can easily see how little Charles and his nephew
Roland love you, since they send you to King Marsilius on an embassy that in times past has made
so many of Charles’ ambassadors die.” Ganelon replied, “You speak truly, sir knight. But I swear to
God that I will cause the destruction of Charles and all his army.” Then Blanzardine answered:
“Who are you, sir knight, and what is your name?” Said Ganelon: “I am called Ganelon of
Maganza, Charlemagne’s cousin; wife is Roland’s mother.” Blanzardine answered: “I have often
heard you named as a great lord of cities and castles, and possessed of great wealth. But I assure you
that Charles must wish you ill to send you into such great danger.”