THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
he had done for Drusiana; and how he arrived at Sinella, and how Margery had captured him, and
how he returned to Apollonia and took Drusiana from thence, and how he had sired two sons in the
wilderness, and of the death of Pulican, and how Drusiana had been lost and they believed that the
lions had eaten her. And so on, with all that had happened to Bevis until Pepin’s return from
Slovenia.
Hearing these things, Drusiana made a great lament and shed many tears, and would not say
wherefore. But the minstrel believed that she did so out of pity the she felt for Bevis. And she said:
“Ah, what misadventures there were here!” Then the minstrel said: “Bevis has proclaimed a great
feast, for he is taking to wife Margery, daughter of King Buldras of Sinella, who saved his life.”
Drusiana said: “When will this be?” And the minstrel replied: “It will be more than twenty-two
months from now.”
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When Drusiana heard that her lord Bevis was alive and had returned to his country, she was very
glad, thinking that her children would return to their ancestral house; and she asked the minstrel
how far it was from Armenia to Hampton. The minstrel told her that Hampton was in England,
and how long the way there was. Drusiana said: “Do you think that if I set out there with my
children, I would get there?” The minstrel said: “My lady, the way there is too far to go; you are in
this realm, and this realm seems to me to love you and your children. You would not be wise to
leave what you have for what you are not certain of.” Drusiana said: :I certainly want to go there,
for nothing ventured, nothing gained; and he who changes his country, may change his luck.” And
she at once went tot King Armin and asked his permission to attend Bevis’ feast.