THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
knew nothing of it, and early the next morning mounted her horse and went with many attendants
to some pious ceremonies outside Paris. Having heard mass, she made her way back toward Paris.
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In the morning King Florellus made all his barons gather at court and, rising to his feet, spoke to
them in this fashion: “No man should put his hope in anything but the sacred and divine will of
God, Who gives and takes as pleases Him. Whoever has the office of governing worldly affairs
should above all things love and maintain justice. He should not be partial, since he who takes sides
cannot judge rightly. The more supreme a man is in lordship, the more should he judge justly,
because others act by his example. No man should ask his master to do what will be shameful to
him or what will diminish his domain. He should be mindful of his master’s danger before asking
him for any grace to himself or others. Therefore I command you, in the matter that now concerns
me, that during the next three days none should request any favor of me, either for himself or
another, on pain of losing his head.” Having spoken these words, he sent for his son Floravant.
When he stood before him, he ordered his justicer to take him to the gibbet, that is the gallows, and
there to hang him by the neck like a thief and scorner of the crown of France, since he, to its scorn
and dishonor, had viciously and dishonorably cut off the beard of Salard, Duke of Brittany, while
Salard lay asleep. He commanded the justicer to take him away, and he did so, weeping bitterly.
There was none present who dared to speak to the king about this decision, because of the
command that the king had earlier issued. The whole court was filled with lamentation, and no
further defense was offered. Floravant asked the king’s and Salard’s pardon, but neither would listen
to him. He cried out to the barons, saying: “Help me!” but no man dared move.