THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
Then Bevis dismounted, drew his sword, and walked toward Pulican, saying: “Pulican, no good
knight offers combat with bow and arrows; let us use our swords instead.” At this, Pulican threw
his bow on the ground, took his sword in hand, and with it began to engage Bevis in combat.
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As they battled hand-to-hand with their swords, Pulican’s dexterity was so grade that Bevis could
not touch him, but Pulican gave him five wounds. Much did Bevis marvel at Pulican’s great agility,
and as he kept losing blood, was possessed by a furious rage. But when Pulican saw Bevis tiring, he
thought that he would not be able to escape King Marcabrun’s men, and (to have the honor of
himself presenting Drusiana top King Marcabrun) he left Bevis standing and ran toward Swallowtail.
Swallowtail could do nothing against Pulican’s speed, and Pulican seized him and led him to
Drusiana, and said to her: “My lady, mount this horse and come with me to King Marcabrun.” But
Bevis, though wounded all over and weighed down with his armor, came up and resumed battle with
Pulican by Drusiana’s side.
At that moment Drusiana saw King Marcabrun’s men approaching from afar, and was sorely afraid.
She saw the Bevis was tired and wounded and began to speak to Pulican: “Pulican, is this the
recompense you render me for the services I have done you when I was nine years old. For you
would have been led away to be burned in a blazing fire. They said that you were born in mortal sin
and sired by a beast, that is, a mastiff, on a rational woman. I pleaded for mercy for you from my
father and saved you from death. And now you want to kill me and my lord? For know that Bevis
is my first husband. Ah gentle Pulican, when shall you repay me for having relieved and nourished
you, if you do not repay me at this moment? Will you not believe that Bevis can make you a great
lord? He will have you baptized with holy water, and you shall become a faithful Christian.”