THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
Finally he rode into the field against Mainet, saluted him and demanded his name and whence he
came. He said once more that he was a merchant’s son. Bramant asked him, for courtesy’s sake, to
show his face. Mainet said: “Who will give me surety? Show yours first.” Bramant then uncovered
his visage, and Mainet uncovered his own likewise. When Bramant saw it, he was greatly astonished
that so young a knight had slain Polynor. He stared fixedly at Charles’ face and Charles stared back,
but Bramant needs had to drop his gaze, so fierce was Charles’ glance. Then they lowered their
visors, issued their challenges, and took up their positions. Their lances met with such force that
they ruptured their lames and spaulders, and bore both their horses to the ground. When they rose
again, Bramant grasped the mace that was tied to his saddle and Mainet grasped Durandel, and they
both commenced a savage assault.
When Bramant saw Mainet’s fierceness, he would gladly have taken him up among his followers,
and began to plead with him to join his side, promising him his own son as a companion (a youth
then some fifteen years old, whose name was Triamides.) He also vowed to crown him king of
three realms. But Mainet, ever refusing these offers and never desisting from the fight, cut
Bramant’s shield from its neck laces, even as Bramant with his mace completely shattered Mainet’s
own.
When their mutual exhaustion made a pause in the first assault, each stopped and stood on his guard
two lance-lengths from the other. Once more Bramant repeated his questions. Mainet made no
answer but ever looked him over carefully to see where he might inflict most hurt, for Bramant so
far had the advantage.
Then they commenced their second and yet more dire attack. Bramant was pressing hard upon
Mainet, but he was carefully upon his guard and warded off many of Bramant’s blows. Thus they