THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

Pulican
27-29: The Dog-Man
27
98
© 2009 Max Wickert
The sun had already passed the house of the fourth wind 22 when Duke Sanguin, among other barons
who were taking their pleasure, began to say: “This King Marcabrun does not seem to be rising this
morning.” When he had said these words, they went to call him. Entering his chamber, they found
him still asleep and, when they cried out to him, he did not stir. But Sanguin began to shake him, so
that he brought him to his senses. When they opened the window and did not see Drusiana, they
questioned the king about her, and he recounted what had happened to him, and how she had given
him drink and he had fallen asleep.
At this, one of the barons said: “Last night three men were found dead by the gate, and the gate was
open.” At once they made search throughout the palace and, Drusiana not being found, Duke
Sanguin went to Floris’ palace with many armed men. Refusing to hear any excuses, they killed
Floris and all his company. Because the horse Swallowtail and Bevis armor where nowhere found,
they realized that the pilgrim had been Bevis of Hampton.
With the king and his barons assembled in the palace, all the city ran to arms at this news. Then an
old baron gave counsel to King Marcabrun, saying: “Do as I advise, if you wish to overtake Bevis
and Drusiana. You have Pulican in fetters in your prison, who was born of a lady and a great
mastiff, and who is half dog. Drusiana had him fettered because he is very savage. Know that King
Armin wanted to have him burned at birth; but Drusiana pleaded for mercy and by wondrous good
22 House of the fourth wind: a technical expression. The hours between sunrise and sunset were designated by the
eight directions of the wind-rose, each of them named (Tramontano, Greco, Levante, Scilocco etc.). The time
here indicated is that of Scilocco, that is, about eleven o’clock.