THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
crime, how can I let you escape, for I do not wish to act in opposition to justice? Rather will I
approve you execution, to set an example to other malefactors.” Then that malefactor cried out and
said to Gailon: “It is very well for you to fulminate against me, but not against Bevis, who killed your
father who has never been avenged.” At this there were many among the citizens throughout the
town, and in many regions, whose voices inclined more toward evil than toward good. Their voices
often reaching Gailon’s ears, he decided to murder and kill Bevis, as the devil prompted him.
He left, abandoning his reign and his wife with her five children, and who was pregnant, soon to
give birth to Guinam of Bayonne. The names of the other five are: Richard, William, Spinard,
Ptolemy and Gryphon, which Gryphon was to be father of Ganelon of Poitiers. Gailon went about
unrecognized for sixteen years all over the word, and it was rumored that he had died at the Holy
Sepulcher. Then he came to Hampton and he lurked about Hampton near Bevis, plotting a way to
kill him and get away. He ordered a swift brigantine, to be kept always waiting at the seashore, and
now and then in the harbor. And the very sailors of that brigantine did not know where she was
bound, and he kept it in readiness for his escape.
It happened that three miles from Hampton there was a great place of devotion, called Saint-Savior.
Drusiana went there every morning for some time to pray and returned later in the morning, and
Bevis went there at nine o’clock to look upon the celebrations, since many citizens and country folk
came there, and all through the day many joyous games were held. When Bevis had come up to the
celebrations, he went so see the diversions and the feast; and when Bevis thought of returning to
Hampton, he went to the church and entered an enclosed chapel (as the chapels of noblemen are) to
say his prayers and knelt at the foot of the altar. Gailon came in behind him and, seeing him alone,
looked three times outside. There was no one in the church except a few women, for most of the
people were outside where the festivities were taking place, and Bevis’ attendants were waiting for