THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
ugly words to him. Bevis could not suffer this, and he laid hands on Hewellyn, threw him to the
ground, and gave him countless kicks and blows, so that he could scarcely return to his palace,
battered all over as he was.
Meanwhile the king returned with the victorious army, and he went to see Count Hewellyn,
believing that he had received these hurts in the battle field or in prison; and he for shame did not
say what had befallen. The king asked him whom he deemed worthy to become Drusiana’s
husband, and he replied that she should be given to King Marcabrun. “I shall give Bevis one of my
own daughters,” said he. The king replied: “I intend to give Drusiana as a wife to Bevis.” And he
returned to the palace.
Bevis came in the presence of King Armin and presented a deed of sale for the treasure that Bevis
had given to King Armin in the tent, by which he would be released and be able to buy back his
liberty, paying for his enfranchisement with the treasure of Luciferus of Buldras that he had won
with sword in hand. And the king enfranchised him and made him a free man.
Bevis in Buldras
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When King Armin had left his brother and returned to the palace, Duke Hewellyn sent for King
Marcabrun. He being Bevis’ enemy, he told him all that the king his brother had said, and they
together swore the death of Bevis, one for love of Drusiana, the other to be avenged for the blows
that Bevis had given him. Both now awaited the means, the pretext and the opportunity. When
some days had passed, King Armin gave order that Bevis was to be made overlord of a part of
Armenia and be given Drusiana for wife.