THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
took to the field and exchanged heavy buffets. Floravant fell to earth together with his horse and
was captured and brought to Balant. He sent him to Rosana to be rendered, for honor’s sake, to
Octavian of the Lion. Drusiana was very joyful to have him under her watch. Giliant returned to
challenge more battle, and the people of the city were in grief, because their lord had been taken
prisoner.
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When Gisbert saw Floravant and Richier captured and the whole city plunged in grief, he said:
“Now that my lord has been taken, it is not pleasing to God that I stay in Paris like a sluggard.” He
called for his weapons and, once armed, rode into battle. There was no other knight in Paris who
would venture such a fight. Upon reaching Giliant, he demanded combat. Giliant asked who he
was and Gisbert replied that he was a merchant’s son from Paris.” Giliant said: “You are no knight,
and I may not fight but with knights.” Gisbert said: “If you promise to wait for me, by my faith, I
shall turn back to be dubbed knight.” Gisbert said no more, but turned his steed around and rode
back at a gallop into the city and to the queen, and she dubbed him knight. Her returned into the
field and challenged Giliant, and they both rode into the field and gave each other heavy blows.
Giliant broke his lance, but Gisbert threw him wounded from his horse. Then the whole army
rushed to arms when they saw Giliant fallen.
Octavian of the Lion armed also and rode into battle. When he reached Gisbert, he saluted him and
asked him who he was. He replied: “I am a merchant’s son of Paris. But you who question me,
who are you?” Said Octavian: “I am the son of the lion, whom you see near us, and of a woman.”
And the lion was indeed nearby. They challenged each other and broke their lances against each
other, but did each other no other hurt, so that neither had the advantage. The lion let out three