THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
itself fell from her head. Her locks fell loose and spread over her armor. She instantly leapt up with
sword in hand, and used her shield to ward off blows. The Christian knights formed a circle around
her, trying hard to put her to death. Richier, who had received such a hard blow, stood marveling;
and, wishing to know who she was, turned his horse about and saw the damsel perform feats deeds
of arms in the midst of so many armed men. Once more he marveled, and seeing those loosened
tresses, cried out to his knights: “Stand back!” and then asked the lady to surrender. She asked him
who he was, and when she heard his name, surrendered to him. He asked for Bertram, his elder
brother, and said to him: “Go take this damsel into the city, and see to it that she suffer no villainy
from any man until I return.” Bertram took her in to his father, and they asked her who she was.
She replied that she King Almont’s daughter, and that she had come armed to avenge her brother
Almont. The duchess and Rambald had her change into rich clothes, and when she entered the hall
she was so beautiful that Bertram, afire with love, knelt without shame before his father and asked
him to give her to him for a wife. Rambald said: “My son, you know that she is not mine to give,
but belongs to your brother Richier. If he, upon his return, grants her to you, I shall be content.”
The devil, who is ever in readiness, entered Bertram’s mind and he at once began to hate his brother
because of this damsel. Meanwhile, Richier was wreaking great havoc in the field, he and Miles, but
could not make too much headway. Soon they returned into the city and went to disarm. Then they
went to attend their father in the usual manner.
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When Richier came into the presence of his father Rambald, Bertram knelt to his father, saying:
“Our father, behold here Richier who has returned, and therefore I pray you to give me the fair
Galiziella for my wife.” His father replied: “Very well, as long as Richier is content.” They asked
him whether he was and he answered: “I consider this a favor and am content indeed, if he is.”