As flowers swell and blossom forth again in Spring

Sir Ashraf al-Mansur
fallen in Spring Crown Tourney, A.S. XLII

As flowers swell and blossom forth again in Spring,
So too will stir a fighter’s dreams of being King.

With Mistress Eilidh as the consort by his side,
How could not Mansur also strive for such a thing?

Across the dusty distances he came to Crown
All eager to obey the herald’s summoning.

With shield and hopes held high he strode upon the field
Where armors clatter and where swords on helmets ring.

Sechequr Qara fell beneath his sweeping blade,
Then Alejandro felt the swordstroke’s fatal sting.

But Fate would not allow the victories to mount
For Lorccan snapped his wrist and thereby snapped the string.

Sir Dante could not bring about the killing blow
However much his mighty arms might flail and fling.

Sir Edward Senestre had better luck with that
And it was Mansur’s soul, not hopes, that took to wing.

Poor Mistress Eilidh, mourning for your fallen fighter;
All listeners must weep at the lament you sing!

But there are plants that wait for Fall before they flower;
Who knows, good lady, what September Crown may bring?

—Duchess Natalya de Foix

...was at one time a 15th century noblewoman who was born in Spain and moved to France, but now she suspects she is probably a wealthy traveler who spends most of her time in China.

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