Danse Ravissante

Sir Patrick O’Malley
fallen in Fall Crown Tourney, A.S. XLII

Danse Ravissante

(Ballade Supreme)

Sir Patrick hath a way with swinging swords
that snares a lesser mind unto his sway;
aye, combat is a game that ill affords
distractions, tys not meet to drift away,
to stand entranced, a-gawk; though his displays
entice you well to follow where he’s led —
do so, and right soon you’ve lost your head!
Tys ill advised to mid-fight take a pause.
Beware his talons tainted bloody red,
for LIONS slash and strike with deadly claws.

On Tourney field he’s faced with many Lords
who’ve come to claim the laurel wreath today:
Bjorn Zentheffeer culls he first from out the horde;
then Aethelwulf shows skill in the melee,
yet, sly O’Malley’s ever hard to slay;
Methius learns a thing or two of dread;
and Freiburg has his pretty surcoat shred.
Forthwith addend unto the Kingdom’s laws —
“Beware of talons tainted bloody red,
for LIONS slash and strike with deadly claws.”

Afield the mighty Lion turns and roars
for Sir Gamyl of Mottrum’s in his way;
then Patrick’s whirling sword leaps swiftly toward
his fellow Knight who finds it hard to stay
his ground; Sir Patrick teaches him dismay.
Then Lion lands where ebon Bull doth tread
apace, where Jarl Francisc awaits unbled —
For Jarl, disaster grins from tooth-ed maw!
Beware the talons tainted bloody red,
For LIONS slash and strike with deadly claws.

~ Envoy ~

Sir Knight, I fear my twisting tale hath fled
down trail that abruptly leaves thee dead...
Which prompts me to include this final clause:
Be ware, Sir Knight, of fangs envenom-ed
for SERPENTS also strike with ready jaws.

— Signore Antonio lo Seccante della Rovere, detto “Secca”

...is a late 14th century Venetian Ambassador and Condottiere, and also the Bard Errant for House Valentine.

Copyright

Copyright of the poems belongs to the original author. The Crown Poem Staff has consented to have the poems reprinted on the CaidWiki, but you need to obtain permission from them before reprinting in any other medium. See Crown Poems for contact information.