THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
Speaking thus with her and Floris, he heard a horse neighing loudly. Said Bevis: “This must be a
very fierce horse.” The lady replied: “There is not a better horse in all the world, for that is
Swallowtail, who belonged to Bevis of Hampton. Moreover, I still have his armor in this room.
Would to God that he were back!” Bevis said: “Ah, who is master of this horse? For Bevis has told
me that none dare touch him save you and he alone.” She replied: “He is fettered.” “By my faith,”
said Bevis, “I have such hope in God, that, for the love of Bevis, I shall govern him.” Then
Drusiana said, “I do not believe you, but let us go see him.”
She and Floris and Bevis then went to the stable where Swallowtail was, and there was no other
person nearby. Some had said that the king went there, but most said that this was not true. The
three of them—Drusiana and Bevis and Floris—having come to the stable, Bevis called out:
“Swallowtail!”
When the horse heard him, he recognized him instantly, and he began to neigh and show signs of
joy. Bevis threw himself around his neck and embraced him. Drusiana marveled greatly and said:
“Pilgrim, you are surely acting by witchcraft, since there is none who can touch him but Bevis and
I.” Then Bevis cried: “A beast has more sense than my own wedded wife, for it recognized me
before she did.” Drusiana stared at him and began to call him to mind; nonetheless she wanted to
prove by certain tokens that it was he, and said: “Are you then my Bevis, my lord? If you are, where
is Clarenza, my sword?” Bevis showed her the sword, which was inscribed with letters that declared:
“I am Clarenza.” Then Drusiana said: “Where is the ring that I gave you?” And Bevis showed her
the ring. Then she said: “I am still not certain, unless I see the mark which Bevis had on his right
shoulder, that is the purple birthmark of the Royal House of France, which Floravant brought out of
his mother’s womb.” Bevis then showed her his right shoulder. At last Drusiana said: “Now I