THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

517
© 2009 Max Wickert
out from Savra with his men and hurled himself, ahead of them all, among the Saracens with sword
in hand, breaking their ranks with a great outcry, and the three thousand Christians followed hard
behind him.
Meanwhile Oliver of Viana had hastily armed and rode to Roland’s tent. Roland was already on
Veliantin’s back, and he said to him: “Ah, noble count, do you not hear the great clash between
Walter and the Saracens? What monstrous treachery has Ganelon wrought here! I beg you to
sound your horn. Perhaps God will be pleased to make Charles hear it, to let him send succor in
this deadly battle.” Roland quickly dismounted from Veliantin, tightened its straps and bridles
firmly, and then leapt back in the saddle.
Meanwhile, as Walter was among the Saracens, all his men were killed in less than an hour. Ten
thousand of the Saracens also died. Walter, wounded all over and covered with Saracen blood,
sheathed his sword, seized his saddlebow with both hands, dug his spurs into his horse, and despite
the Saracens broke through the battle line and rode to Roland’s tent. He told him everything that
had happened and of the death of all his companions. Then good Walter fell dead from his horse.
For the second time now, Oliver begged Roland to sound his horn and he refused. As Oliver was
standing as you have heard, Grandoino arrived, loudly crying out: “Death! Death to Charlemagne
and all Christians!” For the third time now did Oliver urge Roland to sound his horn, but Roland
said: “If you are afraid, Oliver, take flight.” Oliver answered: “My dear count, I am not saying this
because I fear for myself, but only so that we may not be shamed. The damage will be worse if we
do not prevent it.” As they were thus standing in parley, the pagan Malzaroth came on with all his
Saracen troop, crying: “Where are you hiding, Count Roland? Where have you fled?” All this while,
Grandonio’s troops were bearing down on the Christian forces. More than three thousand