THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

192
© 2009 Max Wickert
his knees before him and said: “I have overheard your words and I pray your lord Mainet to make
me of the same faith as yours.” Morand answered: “What’s this? Do you not believe in Mahomet
and Apollyon and Termagant and Great Jupiter, as we do?” Ogier said: “You do not believe in
these, but in baptism. Therefore I will not rise from my knees until you baptize me.” Then Mainet,
who understood and knew Ogier to most worthy of trust, fetched a silver basin and a brass bell, and
he and Morand baptized him in the name of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Ogier
swore to follow Mainet to the death. Then Morand told him who Mainet was and that his name was
Charles. Ogier knelt to Charles and made to kiss his feet, but he made him rise to his feet and said:
“If by God’s grace I return to my kingdom, I promise you, Ogier, that I will create you Gonfalier of
the French Crown and you shall bear our sacred banner, the Oriflamme.” Then all three shook
hands and kissed one another on the mouth. Thereafter Ogier said to Mainet: “My lord, do you
wish me to cut off Marsilius’ head?” Morand cried out: “For heaven’s sake, Ogier, what are you
saying? Do you want to bring us into danger? I forbid you to disobey my command, for I am
Mainet’s second father.” Then Ogier said: “And I want to be a second son to you, nor will I ever
disobey your orders.” Mainet then told him that Galeana was his wife, and how he had secretly
baptized and married her. Ogier said: “These sons of King Galafron are so full of ill will against
Mainet that it will be better if I stay and keep company and with them, and pretend not to care for
you. They may tell me something.” Agreed on this, they left the room. Morand said to Ogier: “If
you want to know their intentions, show no sign of care or trouble at anything they may say.”
37-39: Treachery and Escape [summary]
Ogier, pretending hatred for Mainet, gained the confidence of Galeron’s three sons . They told him of a plot to murder
Mainet and solicited his aid, promising to reward him with Galeana’s hand. Not wishing to arouse their suspicion, he
carried news of their plan to Galeana rather than directly to Mainet. When she told Mainet and Morand, they
decided to flee. On the night before the intended murder, Galeana brought a fine suit of armor for Morand to
Mainet’s lodging, but was observed by her mother the queen, who had been let into her sons’ conspiracy. Her
suspicions aroused, the queen waited for Mainet and Morand to leave the room and removed all their weapons,