THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
great pain that he fell from his horse. When Blanchardin saw that mighty blow, he began to flee
through the plain, and Roland pursued him and gave him a blow that struck him on the helmet and
split him in two. So immeasurably strong was that blow, that it also split the horse through the
middle and made the sword touch the ground.. In this manner Roland made four quarters of one
man and one horse, who were divided into four pieces.
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When Roland realized the great and measureless blow that he had struck, he said: “Ah, Christ, I see
all too clearly that all your prophecies will be fulfilled, and that he who does not believe in you is
mad indeed. Well do I remember the announcement by your angel, and well do I see that I am now
near death.” . . . . .
While Roland remained as you have heard, he looked up and saw Turpin coming down from the
mountain, wounded with five mortal wounds. Turpin, as he descended, looked over the field and
saw neither Christian nor Saracen. He sighed heavily, nearly dying for grief, for he thought that
Roland, too, was dead. But looking ahead, he saw Roland, who was staying the shade beneath a little
tree. Now Turpin spurred his horse and rode until he approached Roland, who was in the saddle
near a pine tree, in great pain and torment. The ninth hour had already passed, and it was almost
vespers. Now Turpin said to Roland: “How goes it with you, noble lord?” Roland said: “I think my
death is near, and I suffer so great a thirst that I can scarcely endure it. I therefore beg you to take
my horn and go to the fountain to fetch me some water, for I am nearly spent by my great thirst.”
Eagerly did Turpin then take Roland’s horn and run to the fountain, which was two bowshots
nearby. Turpin looked into the fountain and saw it filled with countless arms, heads and legs of
men, and its water was as red as blood. So Turpin turned back and told Roland that he could not