THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
duenna added: “He is a man of various love; but the man who loves with a single mind has a noble
love.” Mainet said: “How then can a man like me, born of burgher stock and not of noble lineage,
love nobly?” Galeana once more looked him in the eye and laughed, and Mainet added: “I will
never love a woman until the day that I return home.” Galeana kept all the words that Mainet had
spoken fixed in her memory. Then she took a garland of flowers from her head and tried to put it
on Mainet’s head, who was standing close by her. But he would not take it. Shortly thereafter the
other ladies came into the room. When they had eaten, Mainet departed.
On many later occasions did Galeana show her love to him, as much as modesty allowed. Thus
Mainet could not altogether defend himself without being overmastered by love as well. He began
to love her in the secret depth of his heart, but gave no outward sign of it, as she did.
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King Galafron was now ready to bestow his daughter Galeana in wedlock, since she was of
marriageable age. He gave order for a splendid court to assemble in the city of Saragossa, the capital
of his realm. A great crowd of noble lords arrived at this feast, many simply to witness the
celebrations, but most to try to gain Galeana’s hand. Among these came Ulien of Sarza, Duke of
Africa, Canador of Cyprus, the Emir of Numidia, King Alchin of Judea, the King of Granada, King
Alicard of Anfiore, King Polinas of Russia, Sinagon of Pharaonia, the King of Portugal, King
Maugris of Pamplona, Pantaleon of Thrace, Calinder of Organa in Syria, and many other nobles. All
were young and desirous to prove themselves worthy. More than forty royal heirs came to
Saragossa, to say nothing of princes and counts and marquises and other lords. King Galafron bade
all three of his sons to show great honor to all these great men, and they did so. After some days
had passed, the day of jousts and tournaments was ordered.