THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
had not been there who said that he had heard Flockard say to Floris that Bevis was a low fellow not
to give him a horse that he had asked for, and that he had been raised to commander in preference
to him, and that it would be best to go and take Swallowtail by force, and how they had gone to do
so.
Then the lords asked the king to have mercy on Bevis, and he said that he would gladly agree, if
Bevis gave him Swallowtail who had caused the death of his son; and he also asked him to hand over
Rambald. Bevis replied: “It is would be most ungallant to kill a horse for revenge,” and that he
would surrender Rambald if he could be found.; “but I must add that Rambald was not to blame in
defending himself.” The king was somewhat angry at this, but the lords calmed him down enough
to make him promise to wait until morning. Three lords then swore to appear with Bevis in the
morning, and these were Angelus of Virgales, Angelus of Wales and Count Aumer of Marina.
Leaving the court, the escorted Bevis to his room. In the morning Floris was buried. But Rambald
was not to be found. And the three lords appeared with Bevis before the king; and he once more
asked for Swallowtail so that he could put him to death. Bevis, weeping, threw himself on his knees
before him, and said: “Your Sacred Majesty, take any revenge on me that you please, for I would
rather die than let it be said that a mere horse should die in revenge for Floris.” The king,
considering Bevis’ words, realized that it would be a shameful thing for him and his son. Rambald
was much sought for, and for that reason the king commanded Bevis to be gone from the realm of
England and to leave Hampton, never to return to the island unless King William, that is himself,
were dead or sent for him. Bevis, weeping, swore to this on his allegiance, like a loyal knight, and
knelt down and kissed his feet. And now Drusiana appeared before the king, knelt down and said
these words, weeping all the while:
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