THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
when she has risen.” The queen of Hungary grew angry and struck the door with her hands and
opened it, saying: “How can you say I should go away and come back? Is she not my daughter?”
And in she went and found her sleeping. She quickly put her hands to her feet and knew at once
that this was not her daughter. She took up a lighted candle and looked at her face, and instantly
knew that it was Falisetta. She pretended no to recognize her and that it was indeed her daughter,
and said: “She is sleeping so soundly that I do not wish to disturb her. When she wakes up, I will
come to her.” Then she returned to her own room and, alone with King Philip, secretly said to him,
weeping: “Alas, my lord, our daughter must be dead, for this woman who calls herself Bertha is
Falisetta, for I recognized her. That is why she did not come to meet us. I think we should inform
King Pepin of this.” King Philip said to her: “My lady, let us not do so, for if Pepin has something
to do with it he will kill us, unless we say nothing. Rather let us go back to Hungary and I shall give
order to drive him out of Paris and out of all his realm. We shall take such bitter vengeance that it
will be forever remembered. But first I want to see her myself.” So they went to the hall and
attended on King Pepin, pretending great love and joy. After a while, he said to King Pepin: “Let us
go to see the empress.” Pepin agreed and they took each other by the hand. The queen of
Hungary heard of it and she too set out and went to be present with them. The Maganzas, with
many of their men, all had concealed weapons on them. Arriving at the bedchamber, Pepin had
many torches lit, and King Philip took her by the hand and talked with her. He instantly recognized
her but gave no sign of this, and seemed delighted with her as with a daughter. Gryphon of
Maganza then said: “It would be better, my lord, to let her rest.” The queen of Hungary was present
there, and recognized her all the more clearly. Then they left and returned to their lodgings.
Gryphon said to Falisetta: “You are in the clear, for they did not recognize you.” Falisetta answered:
“God grant it be true, but I am afraid.” Upon returning to their chambers, King Philip secretly
grieved lamentably with his wife, but for the rest of the day showed no changed in demeanor.