THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
Then Roland looked behind him and, seeing these two brothers lie dead, said: “Ah, you strong fiend,
what power that knight possesses! I swear to God I will avenge the death of these two knights
before he can strike any others.” Roland turned Veliantin toward Grandonio and Grandonio took
flight through the field, for he well knew how Roland could strike. Grandonia drew near the great
slope whence Marsilius and his host were waiting to descend into the valley to give deadly battle.
Then Roland said to his horse: “Ah, good Veliantin, do not let that knight escape who has killed two
such fine knights.” At this, Veliantin sped so swiftly that his body scarcely touched the ground and
took his way toward Grandonio. Roland quickly struck a backhanded blow, sending Durandel
beneath his helmet so that his severed his head and sent it flying to the ground.
Then he looked ahead and caught sight of a banner all of cloth-of-gold with an image of Mahomet.
He looked at it carefully and made out three knights beneath that banner. One of the was Marsilius,
the second was Samuel, and the third, Blanchardin. Right behind them followed fifty thousand
knights, at whose head rode a renegade dog who had renounced the Faith to become one of
Marsilius’ bondsmen
Roland rode straight toward that bondsman, who recognized him all too well and cried out: “Alas,
do not kill me, noble Count!” Then Roland said: “Show me where Marsilius is and I will spare your
life.” The bondsman answered: “He the man who is standing beneath that banner.” Roland at once
rode away from the bondsman and rode toward Marsilius. Now Roland cried out, grasping
Durandel: “Which of you is Marsilius?” Marsilius answered: “I am he.” Roland said: “I am Roland,
the man who must be crowned King of Spain.” Here Marsilius grew utterly bewildered, and his son
Samuel pressed in front of his father to defend him from death. Then Roland struck at Samuel with
his sword so it split his head down to his shoulders. So heavy was the blow that the sword
descended upon Marsilius’ shield and cut through it and through his arm. Marsilius suffered such