THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

111
© 2009 Max Wickert
not to hide under the water, for I know you very well, since I nursed you for seven years with milk
from my breast. You are the son of my lord, Duke Guy of Hampton, and of that monstrous mother,
Duchess Brandoria, who desired to cause your death. You call yourself Augustine, but your true
name is Bevis.”
When Bevis heard these words, he began to say: “I do not know who this Bevis is of whom you
speak.” But she threw her arms around his neck, so that he could no longer hide himself, and
pointed to the mark that he bore on his right shoulder. Bevis, seeing that he could not hide himself,
made her turn around and confessed that he was the man, saying: “You have caught me in the
bath.” At once he put his clothing back on, leaving the bath, and there was great rejoicing. Sinibald
embraced him and kissed him, and so did the lady.
Then Sinibald began to say: “O child of Fortune, I commend Richard of Canterbury to you, for it is
by his aid that we have ever maintained the war against the traitor Dudon and your disloyal mother.
Without him we could never have lasted.”
As he was speaking these words, Thierry joined them, and when he heard that this was Bevis, he
never felt so much joy, and knelt at his feet. Bevis embraced and kissed him, and also his father
Sinibald; and the lady, above all, could not have enough of embracing and kissing him, calling him
son and lord. Then Bevis sent for Richard, and when he came, Thierry told him how the man who
had performed such feats of prowess was Bevis, son of his liege, Duke Guy, and in what manner
they had recognized him, and the part that his mother had played. At this, Richard rejoiced greatly
and ran towards Bevis and knelt before him, begging pardon for the grudge he had born him. Bevis
embraced and kissed him, and then called together Sinibald and his foster mother and Richard and
Thierry and Floricia (for no others knew what had occurred) and made them swear secrecy,