THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

21
© 2009 Max Wickert
They left the city, whose gates stood open for people coming and going from the port, for men were
still embarking to follow the king. Richier’s escape from prison happened three nights and two days
after the king’s departure, yet there were still people who came behind him. Arrived at the port, they
took a ship, paying a somewhat more than customary fare, and there were many others who sailed
with them. The ship deposited them in Sicily at the city and port of Trapani, where they lodged for
two days. Then they embarked aboard a vessel bound for Provence, which, after many days, either
because of dangerous winds or high waves, left them, as pleased God, on the shore of Italy. Many
times did Richier lament inwardly that he was not at Rome, fearing that the battle had begun. The
city where they landed was called Alphea, and upon arrival they rested there for three days, while the
ship continued upon its way. A river called the Arno ran through the midst of that city, which was
later called Pisa. That city was very pleasing to Richier and his companion.
. . . . . . .
51-59 Richier at the Siege of Rome [summary]
Fighting incognito, Richier became the chief instrument in delivering the city of Rome from Saracen seizure and then
returned to France.
60: Phegra Albana Summons her Lover
Mention must now be made of some deeds undertaken and performed by the Paladin Richier for
the love of Phegra Albana. When the abovementioned events had occurred in Rome and in France,
three years after the liberation of Rome from the siege, Richier went to Africa unrecognized in the
form and manner following:
Danebrun, the Sultan of Cairo, returned to Egypt with great loss of barons, men and possessions.
All Syria, all Persia and Africa and Egypt were filled with lamentations for the dead left behind at