THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

35
© 2009 Max Wickert
When the queen learned of the decree, she embraced Floravant, weeping and sighing, and said: “Ah,
my dear son, what a parting this is! I am losing you, alas, and I shall never see you again!” Full of
woe and holding him in her arms she added: “My dear son, since your father has banished you, do
not delay your departure, which shall pierce my heart like a sharp knife.” He, full of courage, spoke
comfort to her, saying: “Dear mother, do not be afraid. Gird me with my armor and have patience.
Give me a good sword and a beautiful horse, for this journey, mother, makes me take heart to seek
fame and honor.” Then his mother presented him with a good and perfect armor for his back, and
she herself girded it on him, and put on him a green surcoat (signifying a young lover), and gave him
the sword that the French call Joyous, and a horse which was also called Joyous. 8 When he was fully
armed, he mounted his horse and his mother handed him his shield, which bore a golden cross in a
field of white. As he departed, his mother and the whole assembly bowed to him, and he rode off
with shield on neck and lance in hand. His grieving mother fainted dead away, and when she
recovered retired to her chamber. Floravant rode out from Paris all alone, since, for fear of the
king’s decree of banishment, none would bear him company. He made his way toward Balda at a
venture, for he did not know whither to go, and he commended his soul to God.
. . . . . . .
Octavian of the Lion
48: The Lion
Drusolina who, as told above, rested near the fountain, and ran after the lion when he seized her
other son, overcome rather by love of her child than by fear, and he led her to the shore where the
8 The Italian words for sword and horse are of different genders. Thus the sword is called Gioiosa [f.], and the
horse, Gioioso [m.]