THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
Bevis was unable to reply, but he embraced and kissed them and blessed them both. And when he
could speak again, he said: “O my sons, amid what ill fortunes you were begotten, and in what ill
fortune born! And I was the midwife who lifted you from the ground and swaddled you.” While he
was speaking these words to them, he embraced and kissed them, many times thanking God for
having protected them and sent them back to him.
The great joy manifested by Sinibald of the Castle can scarcely be described. He took both their
hands and said: “O Lord God, blessed be Thou, as befits Thy majesty. For I have lost one Bevis,
and Thou hast given me back three.” He was old and could not have enough of touching them,
weeping with tenderness. Rupert, Thierry, Richard of Canterbury and, at the same instant, the
duchess of Castle Saint-Simon came out and embraced them. Bevis entered the chamber and found
Drusiana newly dress and recovered; he once more embraced and kissed her. Then she told him
how she had run from their hut for fear of the two lions, with her children in her arms; how she had
found the ship, and how she had gone to Armenia. And Bevis told her of Pulican’s death, and how
he had baptized him. Drusiana grew very mindful of Pulican, and prayed to God for him.
Then the lords entered the chamber with Bevis’ two sons. Gilian of Arminia was with them and he
knelt before Bevis and Drusiana and called them their lord and lady, saying: “How could you remain
hidden for so long from your father? And how can I now return to him without you or without at
least one of these my young lords? What a joy this would be for my lord King Armin!”
Then they left the chamber and returned to the hall, and the feasting increased. When the lords and
ladies were seated, Drusiana sat down by Bevis’ side, with her son Sinibald next to her, and Guy
next to Bevis. Then Margery arrived in the hall with a great following of ladies and amid tears knelt
at Bevis’ feet, saying: “My lord, I commend myself to you, now that God has given back your lawful