THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
Meanwhile Bertram appeared once more before King Anglant, and when Galiziella saw him, she
flew at him, calling him a traitor to his country: “How do you dare to come barefaced before so
much royal magnificence as my father King Anglant and such a noble gathering of barons, and not
be ashamed?” And many said: “She speaks truly.” But the traitor knelt before King Anglant and
requested the promised reward. King Anglant replied: “I will gladly it give it to him, for he is in the
right.” He commanded one of his barons to take Galiziella on his behalf to King Almont inside the
city, and then Bertram, “and tell him to keep the promise that he has made to him. And let him get
ready a chamber for myself and the queen.”
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When the messenger sent with Bertram and Galiziella came before King Almont, he told him in
secret that he should have Galiziella burned on King Anglant’s behalf, since she had renounced
Mahomet. King Almont said: “Sister, King Anglant has sent me word to have you burned.”
Galiziella replied: “Brother, you know very well that you gave command to Arganor that I should
never take a husband unless he could defeat me. That man defeated me, and it was no shame to you
that a knight should be my husband who was the best knight in the world.” Almont commanded a
great pyre be erected in the square, and this was quickly done. When the fire was lit, Almont called
for Bertram and said to him: “My father has sent to me to say that I fulfill his promise to you, and I
therefore wish to perform it for you.” He made him marry Galiziella and gave him the scepter of
the realm. Then he said to him: “Bertram, you have betrayed your blood. If you could, what would
you do to me?” and turned his back on him. When Almont turned about, Bertram was seized and
thrown in that fire. It is also said that Galiziella was thrown into that fire; but some say that Almont
had another woman cast in to the flames and secretly sent Galiziella aboard a ship and had her