THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

56
© 2009 Max Wickert
(for he had heard how his mother had caused his death), He feared that she might kill him also, and,
child that he was, hid himself under a manger of the stable and covered himself with hay.
Some servitors having entered the stable and calling out, Bevis heard them and came out from
underneath the manger, weeping. Sinibald, so that he would not be discovered, bid him be silent,
had one of Guy’s horses saddled for him, put him upon the steed, and they left the palace to get him
away.
It happened that Brandoria stood at one of the palace windows and saw Bevis crossing the
courtyard, though the men of Maganza knew him not. Then Brandoria called out to Dudon, who
was standing armed in the hall above, and said: “O my lord, Duke Guy’s son is getting away, and I
believe that it is Sinibald of the Castle who his leading him out. If he is not taken, all England will
give fealty to him, and you shall have perpetual war.” Dudon, who was still in armor, mounted his
horse with a loud cry and pursued Sinibald apace, accompanied by a great crowd of men.
When Bevis was outside the gate with Sinibald, they rode off in haste and were half a mile away
when Dudon issued from the gate. As they spurred on their horses behind them, Sinibald became
aware of them and made Bevis apply his spurs, and they crossed the river. Having reached the other
side of the stream, Dudon arrived at it, shouting.
Sinibald bade Bevis make speed, but fortune prevented him, for the road was rocky and Bevis’ steed
lost two of its shoes and could go no further. Thus he was overtaken. Sinibald began to offer a
valiant defense against Dudon’s knights, but so many people arrived, along with Dudon himself, that
Sinibald began to retreat toward the Castle.