THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
pointed with his hand, saying: “He went that way, toward Orleans.” It was now Morand’s turn to
think, and he parted from that shepherd, riding at a venture. In the evening, not knowing of a more
secure place to turn, he went to the abbey of Saint-Omer. He dismounted and when the abbot
recognized him, he ran to embrace him and had his horse put in the stable. Charlot, however, fled
to his chamber, because he always fled from strangers, so as not to be discovered.
Morand took his helmet from his head and the abbot grasped his hand and they strolled hither and
thither through the abbey. They fell to talk of the rulership of France and of Pepin’s death. Morand
spoke with great grief of this to the abbot, and above all he grieved for Charlot. He began to weep,
telling the abbot how many countries he had visited to find him, and then recounted how he had
that morning found a shepherd with Charlot’s jerkin on his back, and what the shepherd had said
about their exchange of garments. The abbot, perceiving the great love that Morand had for Charlot
and knowing that he had reared him from infancy, knowing moreover that the boy was not
altogether safe in that place, decided to apprise Morand of the situation. He took him by the hand
and the two went by themselves to the abbot’s chamber and entered.
Charlot had grown much taller, and he was wearing a monk’s robes. Thus Morand did not know
him, but Charlot recognized Morand at once. He could not wait until the abbot revealed his
identity, but threw himself upon Morand’s neck, saying: “O my father, what have I come to!” When
Morand recognized him and heard the words he spoke, he felt at the same time such great joy and
such sorrow all mixed together, that he embraced him and could not reply. He would have fallen to
the ground, had he not been seated on a chest. When he could speak again, he said: “O my son, you
are verily a child of fortune. How many outrages have been committed against you!” The abbot
urged them to be silent because of the peril in which they stood, and said to Morand: “So that the
monks may not know him, let him go to the kitchen as usual to fetch our food.” Morand heartily