THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

132
© 2009 Max Wickert
After the king and Bevis and the lords had eaten, a knight from Maganza, who was staying with
King William and who was very familiar with Floris, took Floris by the hand and they went walking.
This knight, named Flockard, said to Floris: “See how much courtly favor your father has shown to
Bevis. He has refused you the gift of a horse, and now the king has named him commander of the
army, and you will be his subject.”
Floris grew thoughtful, and Flockard said to him: “You had best take this horse from him, and if he
makes objection, we will kill him, like the villainous knight that he is.” Floris replied: “How can we
take the horse from him?” And he said: “Every night Bevis stays for two or three hours with your
father; let us go to his palace with six men and the two of us, before Bevis returns, and let us take
away the horse.” Agreeing to this, they mounted their horses (there were eight of them all together)
and went to Bevis’ stables, where Swallowtail was lodged.
Bevis had given orders to the man who tended to Swallowtail (his name was Rambald) to give it to
no man at Floris’ command. When Floris and Flockard arrived where Swallowtail was, they asked
Rambald for the horse in Bevis’ name. Rambald said to them: “If Bevis tells me so himself, I will
give him to you, not otherwise.” Flockard said: “What’s this, you villain? Don’t you trust the word
of Floris, the son of the king?” Rambald answered: “I’ll believe anybody; but I will not surrender
the horse without permission from my master.” Then Rambald cried: “You arch-villain!” and gave
him a buffet on his chest, and they rushed in where Swallowtail stood. Floris entered first and went
up to the horse and seized him by the bridle.
Meanwhile Rambald, crying out loudly, drew his sword and came up behind Flockard and struck
him on the head so that he fell down dead. At the same time many servants of the house were