THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
and spoke to them thus: “I require twelve barons to combat the Twelve Peers of France.” At once a
Saracen rose to his feet. His name was Malzaroth, and he said to Marsilius: “It is my wish that no
man but I should offer combat with Roland, and I swear by Mahound that I shall seek him on the
field and shall not leave him until I either kill him or bring him to you as a prisoner.” Thereupon
Marsilius said: “Malzaroth, Malzaroth, if you see Roland in the field, you will wish yourself at home!”
The second who rose was Algaris of Seville, who said: “I know Roland’s strength all too well, but I
swear by Mahound that I shall never leave the Vale of Roncesvalles until I see Roland dead.” The
third was Turquin of Turcullosa, a giant of a man, who said: “If I encounter Roland in the field, I
shall give him a buffet with my war-club so that he shall never live to fight again.” Once more
Marsilius said: “Little do you know the prowess of the Paladin Roland. He has fought countless
giants and knight of great renown, and has ever been the victor.”
The fourth who rose was the Old Man of the Mountain. He carried a shield in which three faceted
stones were set. Any knight who looked upon these three stones grew immediately weak and
drowsy. To him Marsilius said: “Sir knight, do you believe that Roland can escape so many good
knights as are gathered here?” “I say,” said the Old Man of the Mountain, “that even if Hector of
Troy and Roland were both in the field, I should fight with them.” Marsilius said: “Perhaps you are
ready to fight because of the good shield that you carry.”
One by one all twelve 94 barons rose, boasting that they would fight Roland or the Twelve Peers of
France. Marsilius answered them all by pointing to the valor of Roland ant the Twelve Peers. Then
Marsilius assembled his army and said: “You, Falsiron, take a hundred thousand knights and ride
toward Savra, that fortress built by Charles. Remember your son Ferrau, who died not long ago by
94 Twelve: This should read ‘eleven’. The author forgets what he remembered a little earlier—that Marsilius himself
is one of the twelve.