THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

162
© 2009 Max Wickert
King Pepin to graciously bestow husbands upon Lambert’s daughters. King Pepin made Lambert
declare how he had found her and on what day, so that each fact was in conformity with every
other. Then they gave order for the to remain there until she be secretly sent for, so that their
Maganza enemies might not know of it. So they returned to Paris and she remained in Lambert’s
house.
15
Upon returning to Paris, King Philip of Hungary told the queen, his wife and Bertha’s mother, of
the whole matter and she was exceedingly joyful. Pepin made all his people arm and sent secret
word to many parts of the city, commanding that when the alarm was sounded, the Maganza men
should be put to death. Then he went with Bernard and many armed men to Falisetta’s chamber,
while Morand of Riviera arrested Lanfroy and Ulric at Bernard’s bidding and brought them to the
queen of Hungary’s chamber. She put them under guard so that they might not get away.
Meanwhile Pepin and Bernard reached Falisetta’s chamber. Pepin ran to the bed, grasped her by the
locks of her hair, and drew his dagger to kill her, but Bernard would not let him. Pepin put her
under the guard of one of his seneschals and then he and Bernard, with their swords in the hands,
rushed to the great hall of the royal palace. Pepin shouted: “Death to the Maganza traitors!” At this
signal, the alarm was sounded in the courtyard and throughout the city, according to the orders
given. The men of Maganza, hearing the noise, believed it was for an assembly of the people, since
King Philip desired to depart. But then they heard say: “There is a huge noise in the square and the
palace.” Gryphon armed, along with his retinue, and said to his brothers: “The King of Hungary
must have seen through Falisetta. Let us go before King Pepin to make our excuse.” As they were
about to move, a servant arrived, screaming. He was wounded and said: “My lords, hasten to flee,