THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
the body of that horse. He was in charge of this horse only, and with it outraced all the other
horses. For that reason they named the horse Swallowtail 20 , saying that it seemed like a flying
swallow when it ran.
10
After Bevis had tamed Swallowtail, King Armin bestowed ever greater love on him, and appointed
him carver at his royal table. Bevis served better and more courteously than any other servitor, and
he therefore carved for King Armin. He began to wear gentlemanly attire and was of such beauty
that one day, when one of the king’s daughters came into the hall where the king was eating and
played the harp, she saw Bevis near her father, serving in so courteous and nimble a manner that
none seemed his equal. She, seized with an ardent passion, began to love him. She was called
Drusiana, and, when she fixed her eyes upon Bevis’ face, their glances met, and both of them,
pierced by love, lowered their eyes, and both their faces changed color, so that both knew that they
were in love. But Bevis, overcome by shame and timidity, always kept his love more hidden from
Drusiana, so that she might not stay with him. Returning to her chamber and overcome by this
ardent love, she lived sighing, thinking and dreaming night and day of the fetters that bound her,
and of ways that she might find to do what would please her.
On the third day she sent for Bevis. But he was fearful and did not come to her, and Drusiana
checked her wrath so as not to displease him. But she made plans to hold a feast with certain ladies,
and to invite ten of the best gentlewomen of the city to come to her one morning to dine with her.
Each of them was to bring along two or three young serving-men. Having given order to invite
them, she got all things in readiness, except the servitors to carve for herself.
20 Swallowtail: ‘Rondinello’ in Italian. In the English tradition, this horse is sometimes named Arundel. I have
coined the name to retain the etymological connection with rondine (swallow).