Sir Ivan the King

Sir Ivan the Illustrated
Victorious in Fall Crown Tourney, A.S. XXV

Sir Ivan the King

So bright in summer's argent sky, the sun,
In regal rising, spying battle's field,
Roused Thor who thunder hushed to hear the pun
In Ivan's ringing steps with boots bell-heeled.
Vowed Ivan ne'er a great sword wield 'til sword
And shield were mastered. Slicing fast, his swing
Noised past glaive's feint and parrying bastard. Lords,
Thrust to Valhalla, asked: will he be king?
His boots belied, in ringing din, what true
Eyes swore; but ringing blade, Fiona's cries,
Keyed Thor. No lust for rule, the god then knew,
Inspired him. Thor spied this in Ivan's eyes:
Not sword, nor sea-snake shield, nor iron glove
Grabbed vict'ry's Crown; but true Fiona's love.

— Lord Eldwin Nightowl

...wrote this as an acrostic sonnet--the first letter of each line read from top to bottom spell "Sir Ivan the King." Eldwin is a 16th century Englishman who once felt the real sword of a Caidan King upon his neck (Duke Guy of Castle Kirk).

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