THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
“This castle is called Montefeltro, and it belongs to a noble duke named Canor, who is an enemy of
our lord, King Marcabrun.” Then Bevis thought to flee, if he could, into that castle with Drusiana.
He returned to the palace, and while he was passing the courtyard, some said: “Look how well that
pilgrim rides that horse, which only he of Hampton used to ride!” Bevis led him into the stable, and
when he had bestowed him there, betook himself to Drusiana’s chamber and told her how had seen
a castle where he hoped to go with her. And he gave her a powder with which to fashion a potion,
and handed her the flask that he had taken from the feigned pilgrim, saying: “If you make King
Marcabrun drink of this when he retires, he will fall asleep at once as soon as he lies down on the
bed. Then come to me in the stable and I will wait for you at the foot of the stairs. We will leave
from there; but bring with you the keys of the gate facing Montefeltro, whither we are going.”
Having made these provisions, he returned to the stable to tend to Swallowtail.
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The feasting was grand, and the nuptial entertainments were richly appointed, with great dances and
jousts of many kinds. At last, when the time approached for sleep, Drusiana was brought to the
bedchamber for the king’s use; and shortly thereafter King Marcabrun arrived, full of desire to sleep
with Drusiana. Upon entering the chamber, he sent all the ladies-in-waiting away and locked himself
inside with Drusiana. As he moved to embrace her, she said: “My lord, I pray you first to partake of
some repast with me.” He said he was pleased to do so, and she gave him a sweet prepared with the
said powder, and she gave him that clear and distilled beverage to drink. When he had drunk,
Drusiana said: “I would like to say some prayers for the soul of my father, and thereafter will come
to bed right away. Meanwhile, do you go to bed.” He at once undressed and got into bed, and it
befell that he was put to sleep shortly thereafter by the power of what he had eaten and drunk.