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