THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
to the field, now that all others have been put to flight and their lords are in prison.” And at the
alarm, the entire host rushed to arms.
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Bevis, chosen captain for the first time over a thousand knights, came out of the city; and the entire
opposing camp full of wonder kept saying: “Who might this be who had such boldness as to venture
battle against us?” Luciferus went to King Armin and asked him: “Who might this armed man be
who is riding to battle, carrying a banner bearing a red lion on a blue field with a chevron of gold?
King Armin said: “I know not who he might be; but I have heard say that such insignia are born by
a knight of the West named Duke Guy of Hampton.” King Marcabrun said: “This must be
Augustine, for Drusiana will have knighted and armed him.” Said Luciferus: “In that case, I do not
want Drusiana for wife, if she submits to a man of meaner birth than herself.” And he asked who
this Augustine was. King Armin told him how he had bought him, and how he had won the
tourney, and how valiant he was of bearing.
At these words Luciferus put on his enchanted armor and mounted his horse and rode to the field
with lance in hand. When Bevis saw him, he left his troop and rode out against him; and Luciferus
also left his army and rode out toward Bevis, and they greeted each other.
Said Luciferus: “Sir knight, in the name of your God I command you not to conceal your name
from me. Tell me who you are and what your real name is.” Bevis told him all that befell him by
fault of his mother, how it had called himself Augustine, but that his real name was Bevis of
Hampton, son of Duke Guy of Hampton, descendant of the Emperor Constantine. And he told
him how he had been made a knight by Drusiana and obtained his armor from her. “And for love
of her have come here to do battle with you.” Luciferus Said: “For the love of your father and of