THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
charge you never to deviate from Mainet’s will, for he is the best knight in the world.” Then he
embraced Mainet and kissed him and, weeping, commended Ogier to his care. He went on to
commend him to Marsilius and his brothers and to all the lords of the court. At last, after
embracing his son, he took his leave and returned to his tents. On the following morning he raised
camp. He sent a great hoard of treasure to Ogier and left him an escort of five hundred men. In
the course of many days, he returned to the port of Cartagena and embarked with his whole army.
He set sail and returned to his own country, where he died shortly afterwards and King Anglant
took possession of his whole kingdom.
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Ogier remained with Mainet and learned many of his noble manner; they grew very fond of each
other. As they stayed together, Ogier had often seen Mainet kneeling to his sword and at times
commending himself to Jesus Christ. Sometimes he heard him weeping in private and became
aware that he was very much in love with Galeana. He also observed how often Aragonez
instructed and corrected him. He came to believe firmly that he was a Christian and loved him more
than before, thinking that he must be the son of some great nobleman, and not of a merchant. It
happened one day in Ogier’s and Morand’s presence that Mainet was greatly reviled by Marsilius,
who had come to hate him bitterly for the honor with which his father and the barons treated him.
At this, Morand beckoned Mainet to their room and as they entered left the door ajar and did not
lock it. Ogier followed them and upon reaching the door stood listening. Morand began to say,
“For God’s sake, let us no longer stay in this court, but rather return to France to reconquer our
French kingdom from the two bastards who have seized it, and avenge King Pepin, your father.”
When Ogier heard these words, he was so overjoyed that he rushed inside and locked the door
behind him. Morand smiled and said: “What are you doing here, Ogier?” He threw himself upon