THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

110
© 2009 Max Wickert
While the knights were resting at Castle Saint-Simon, Richard conceived a great jealousy of Bevis out
of his love for Floricia, for he suspected that she loved Bevis better because of his great feats of
prowess. Nonetheless she did not show outwardly the hatred that he carried within.
In the course of tending to the ills of the wounded, Sinibald’s wife, Thierry’ mother, had often seen
Bevis armed and unarmed, and had observed all his noble ways. She one day called Sinibald to her
chamber and said: “Sinibald, you shall certainly discover that this Sir Augustine is none other than
Bevis, to whom I gave suck. I am of the mind that he is the very image of his father Guy. I propose
that we have a bath prepared for him. You will see that he will not want to undress lest he be
recognized. But if he undresses, look upon his right shoulder, for he has the purple mark of Royal
House of France, and Bevis’ is like a little blood-red cross beneath the skin. Sinibald was agreed and
gave command.
Then Sinibald went to Bevis and said: “Sir Augustine, I have had a bath prepared for you and me.”
Said Bevis: “I have no desire to bathe.” Said Sinibald: “It is the custom here; I beg you not to shame
me by refusing to bathe with me because I am an old man.” Bevis blushed and replied: “Very well
then, I will do as you please, but let it be late this evening, so that we can go to bed immediately
after.”
Thus the bath was ordered for the evening; and when evening came, Sinibald called for Bevis and
the two entered the chamber and began to undress. Bevis, as soon as Sinibald had entered the bath,
put out the light and jumped into the bath also. As soon as he was naked, the duchess, Sinibald’s
wife, entered the room, but Bevis lowered himself up to his chin in the water, and said to the ladies:
“What are you looking for? Do you wish to bathe also?” The noble lady answered: “No, we do not
wish to bathe, but we have come to discover the sign of the ancient and noble lineage. You need