THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

The king wondered greatly and told her to thin of how long the way was from Armenia to
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© 2009 Max Wickert
Hampton, but she said: “My lord, I pray you, let it be no great matter to you to let me try my luck.”
The king said: “My lady, I do not know who you may be, but for love of these children of yours I
have loved you like a daughter for two reasons: one, because you remind me a little bit of my lost
daughter, and second, because I do not know who will rule after my death, and I am of a mind, if
these two children of yours grow up well, to make the better of them my heir.” Drusiana thanked
him greatly, but once more asked for his leave to go.
King Armin then said: “My daughter, I do not wish to coerce your will; but for the love of these two
boys, I desire that you travel in honor, so that my daughter Drusiana be remembered at Bevis’
court.” And the king sent for a valiant knight whose name was Gillian of Armenia (he was formerly
of the realm of Capadocia, but the king had promoted him) and commanded him to outfit a ship in
the harbor and told him the reason. And he made it ready and the king richly furnished him with
whatever he required, with great wealth of gold and silver.
When Drusiana was ready to depart, the king called her and her sons and Gillian, and said to Gillian:
“I have ever preferred you since you were a boy, and I have always found you honest and loyal, and
thus I have chosen you over all others for this need of mine, so that you will bring me honor. I am
putting Selvatica (this is what Drusiana called herself) into your care, along with these two boys.
Carry her to England to the city of Hampton. I will give you twenty-five young men, of the noblest
in this city, and I have put on board your ship huge masses of gold and silver. You must know that
I do not send your forth without good reason, and therefore I command you to procure me honor
at the court of Bevis. See that that you never go to eat at his court, unless you have attendance
about you, and do honor to this lady and her two boys. If fortune should ordain that she desires to
remain in that country, let one of these boys be brought back to me, but now if that is against her