THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
That morning a ship full of Christians was leaving that city bound for Constantinople. As they were
sailing alongshore, Bevis signaled to them to take him on board. When he arrived on the ship, one
of King Baldras’ nephews, whose name was Alibrun, rode up on the beach and shouted to them to
send him back to the land; if they did not, ten seaports would be barred to them. They therefore
wanted to send him back, but he killed many of them, and the others begged mercy and hoisted sail.
Alibrun then boarded a pinnace and came alongside the ship. Leaping aboard, he killed certain
sailors, but Bevis severed his head from his shoulders and scuttled the pinnace, and so they safely
continued on their voyage.
Bevis in Apollonia
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While sailing over the Black Sea toward Constantinople, Bevis had the ship’s merchants change their
dress, and himself so well attired that he seemed like the vessel’s lord and commander. After leaving
Varna, they encountered a storm. The winds being contrary, they changed course landward, fleeing
for their lives. Battling the wind, they came to a river mouth and saw a fair city. Entering the river,
they came alongside a fisherman casting net near their ship. At this, Bevis asked the sailors: “What
is this city called?” And they told him that its name was Apollonia.
Then Bevis called out to that fisherman, and he came aboard and replied as he was questioned,
saying that the city was called Apollonia, and adding: “You must know that today in that city there is
great feasting, and tomorrow a yet greater one, because tomorrow our king Marcabrun will be united
with Drusiana, daughter of King Armin of Armenia, since it is now one year since he brought her
here and she has not yet bedded him.” Bevis said: “Why has she not bedded him?” He answered:
“Because this was the agreement when he sent for her.” Bevis said: “Will you bring me on land?”