THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
Morand’s commands. He admonished them above all to keep the fact secret. From that moment
onward, whenever Morand looked at her, she trembled with fear of having failed him.
The Siege of Saragossa
27-30: Bramant’s Invasion [summary]
Ulien of Sarza returned to Africa and informed King Bramant of what had happened. Bramant, hearing of
Galeana’s beauty, was determined to marry her, though he was thirty years older than she. Accompanied by the
mighty champion Polynor, he invaded Spain with a huge army and sent ambassadors to Galafron to demand his
bride. Galafron at first agreed, but both Galeana and her brothers objected. Hearing this, Bramant and Polynor
moved to Saragossa and laid siege to the city. When Galafron and his three sons prepared to ride out against the
attackers, Polynor promised Bramant to make short work of them, since he was in possession of the invincible sword,
Durandel.
In the battle that followed, Polynor captured Galafron. Galafron’s queen and sons urged Galeana to give in and
marry Bramant, but she (after seeking Morand’s advice) refused. When battle resumed, Polynor fought and captured
all three of Galafron’s sons.
Morand now decided to ride out against Polynor, who at first scorned to fight with a table-servant. But Morand egged
him into combat. Both contestants suffered a fall, but Polynor was so impressed with Morand’s valor that he Hearing
of his foster-father’s capture, Mainet was now determined to ride out. Galeana and her mother gave him an ancient
suit of armor from their arsenal and he appeared with it in the field. No man knew who he was, and when he faced
Polynor, he told him that he was a merchant’s son. Polynor contemptuously refused to give battle, giving three reasons:
“First, because you are a tradesman; second, because you are another man’s servant; and third, because you have not
been knighted.” “Will you wait for me then,” answered Mainet, “until I get myself knighted?” Polynor agreed. So
Mainet rode back into Saragossa. As Galeana was knighting him, he pronounced the following oath: “I swear by
the God whom I worship that I will always maintain my faith.” He meant his faith in Christ; but all the bystanders
thought he meant faith in Mahomet. Then he at once rode back into the field, defied Polynor, and unhorsed him. The
two combatants took up their swords and their contest was so mighty that Polynor called a halt, saying: “Who are
you? for you are surely no merchant’s son.” Mainet answered: “My name is Mainet, and I serve at table before
Princess Galeana, whose knight I am.” They then agreed to suspend their combat until the following morning.
Durandel
31
When Mainet returned into Saragossa, the queen and Galeana embraced him, showing him great
reverence and rejoicing exceedingly. That evening a precious bath was prepared for him and he was
carefully tended in expectation of his victory. That night Mainet rested well. During the same night