THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
Bernard went back to Clairmont. There he immediately summoned Duke Aymon of Dordogne, Otho of England,
Miles of Angrant and Gerard of Roussillon, his sons by marriage and Cardinal Leo’s brothers, as well as for his two
illegitimate sons, Ansewig and Sanguin. He informed them of the facts and bade them prepare for the coming conflict.
Duke Namo Raises an Army
42
When Morand had taken leave of Bernard, he crossed the Po with his companions. The traversed all
Lombardy, passed the Alps, and upon arrival at Constance learned that Duke Namo was in
Flanders. They traveled thither and found the Duke holding splendid court. Morando had made his
companions dismount in the courtyard and they climb ed the stairs of the palace together and
found the Duke in the hall, watching the company dance. All stopped to look as they entered the
hall. Morand was holding Galeana’s hand, and she was dressed like a boy. The Duke saw her and
pointed her out to some of his nobles, saying: “That boy looks like a girl.” After approaching
Morand, he said to him: “My dear fellow, that page of yours should have his fingernails pared.”
Morand laughed and said: “One jester does not fear another jester’s jibes.” Duke Namo then turned
to Charlot and said: “Sir knight, whence are you?” He could wait no longer, but knelt down and said
in a loud voice: “Most noble duke, I am Charlot, son of Pepin, King of France and Emperor of
Rome; and this is Morand of Riviera. We have com to commend ourselves to you and to entrust
ourselves to your power. We pray that it be your pleasure to aid the better cause, even as your
predecessors did.” When Duke Namo heard Charlot, he at once knelt at his feet and embraced and
kissed him, and all the lords that were present, seeing their Duke kneeling, knelt down also. There
was none so hardhearted among them who did not weep for joy and sorrow: sorrow at
remembering the death of his father; and joy at his own appearance, since everyone had thought him
dead.