THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

55
© 2009 Max Wickert
But at that point Dudon rode up and said: “O treacherous duke, you have killed my father, but now
the time of vengeance has come.” Guy threw himself to the ground on his knees, took up a handful
of earth, crossed himself and commended his soul to God. That day was the first of August in the
year of Our Lord Jesus Christ . . . 18 Dudon drove his lance through his loins and pinned him to the
ground. The Duke already had many wounds before this, and now the other added countless more.
So died Duke Guy, with all his companions, during the hunt, by the contrivance of his wicked wife.
(But let not any old man believe that a young woman could not love him in the marriage act, or for
love of offspring, for the cause is not the aged body, which can grow warm with love even as in a
young man.)
Duke Guy being dead, Dudon and his whole army marched toward Hampton and entered the city
without opposition, since it was unguarded, and went up to the palace, where Brandoria received
them as lords. A few men-at-arms knew those of Maganza and raised the alarm and would have
offered battle; but when it was known that the Duke was dead, they made no further defense. Many
of them fled and many others were killed. The townsmen, filled with fear, laid down their arms.
Dudon and Alberic took possession of the town and settled their kin throughout the land. And
Dudon sent to Maganza for more forces to seize the other towns and for reinforcement. He took
Brandoria to wife and made himself Duke of Hampton, as will be seen in due time.
5
As the aforesaid matters were taking place in the city of Hampton, Duke Guy’s son Bevis, who was
eleven years of age, hearing how his father had died, was struck with terror, not knowing what to do
18 All manuscripts here leave a blank space for the year. As well they might! But see note 51.