THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
not enter any man’s house to bring it there for the money, for you might then be slain. Have
yourself paid in the open square, and let me know who buys it.”
Lambert loaded the thing on a mule and transported it on Saint Denis’ Eve to Saint Denis. He
erected facing Paris it in a field next to the road that came from Paris, as close to the road as he
could. He did not stay long when Gryphon of Maganza arrived there, passing on his way to Saint
Denis. He halted at that pavilion and began to read the captions. When he had read a few of them,
he asked Lambert whence he had this pavilion, and he answered as Bertha had taught him. “And I
desire to sell it.” Gryphon pretended to turn him down and said: “Come with me, and I will give
you the money.” Lambert answered: “By the franchise of My Lord, the King of France, let him who
wants it pay me two pounds of silver for each pound of its weight.” Gryphon, fearing lest it fall into
the hands of others, had it weighed and sent for the money and paid it; then he had the pavilion
folded up and carried to his palace. He called together all his relatives who know of the matter and
showed them the pavilion. They instantly said, “She is alive!” and sent many secret spies to
Alexandria and other parts to search her out. They had the pavilion burnt so that none might see it.
Lambert returned to Bertha and told her how he had sold the pavilion to Gryphon of Poitier. She
was much grieved thereat, knowing full well who it was that bought it, and said: “I am not yet
cleansed of all my sins.” She praised and thanked God and commended herself to His grace.
Falisetta Unmasked
10
The author of these chronicles now says that Philip I, King of Hungary, and his wife, the queen of
Hungary, had written many letters to Bertha and sent many secret and confidential messengers to