THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
When Pulican heard these words, he wept with tenderness and said to the lady: “I am your faithful
servant,” and threw himself upon his knees, surrendered his sword and declared himself her
prisoner. She embraced him and prevailed on Bevis to pardon him and restored peace. Then
Pulican said: “My dear lord, by the love of Drusiana I advise you that King Marcabrun is hastening
toward you with a great troop of knights.” And he told him how Drusiana’s brother Floris and his
sixty knights had been slain.
Then the lady said: “Let us be gone from here!” And Bevis and Pulican swore fidelity to each other.
Then Bevis mounted, as did Drusiana, and Pulican ran alongside their horses, and they proceeded to
the castle that Bevis had seen. Arriving at the gate, they asked for entry. But the guard went to the
lord of the castle, whose name was Duke Canor, and asked his wife if she would allow them to gain
entrance. She, curious to see the creature whom they described as half man, half dog, said to the
duke: “Let them come in. If they are persons of worth, do them honor; if not, send them on their
way.” He therefore have permission to have them enter, and they were led into lodgings of the duke
who they assigned a room and showed them great honor.
30-34: Montefeltro [summary]
Castle Montefeltro served as a refuge for the fugitives for a little over eight months, until Marcabrun gained control of it
by treachery and destroyed it. Bevis, Drusiana and Pulican fled to the forest.
Separation in the Forest
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