THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
to Hampton, leaving Thierry behind with his father Sinibald and his mother, whose name was Luisa.
After his return, Bevis ruled with Drusiana in great joy, so long that he grew to be an old man and
outlived Drusiana’s above-mentioned children.
Bevis Banished
62
Now the tale tells that while Bevis was in Hampton, the king of England, called King William,
hearing of Bevis’ renown, conceived a great love for him. Wanting to make one of his sons a knight,
he sent for Bevis, asking him to come to London for the festival.
Bevis, who considered him a friend, went there and took with him Drusiana and his son Sinibald,
and he left Guy as lord of Hampton in his place until he should return. They rode to London,
where King William showed them great honor. Because of the lack of nobles in attendance at court,
Bevis stayed for three months in London, until time came for Drusiana to deliver a child, and she
gave birth to a boy. King William wished to have him baptized, 27 and he was named William in
honor of the king. On that day, a very wonderful steed was given to the king, and the king gave it to
Floris, his son. On the next day, the king wished to see that horse, and after he had seen it run for a
while, he proclaimed a feast and had prepared a great prize for whoever should prevail at the feast.
The prize was of the value of fifty ounces of gold, and for that honor many lords sent horses to
compete for them.
When the horse arrived for the race, King William went to look at the place where they would race,
and took Bevis with him. When they arrived there, Bevis said: “Your Sacred Majesty, would you
27 The translation is literal (“lo volle battezzare”), but clearly the king is also the god-father or baptismal sponsor
(see below, Chapters 64 and 78).