The Song of Drogo
Sir Drogo FitzWilliam
victorious in Spring Crown Tourney, A.S. XLI
The Song of Drogo
I
“My king, a moment if you have the time
to walk with us and speak to what we find.
We eight have many thoughts which touch our mind
that your great wisdom may, perchance, divine.”
And so they walked and spoke deep into night.
II
“We wish to know what makes a warrior great.
How does one say what qualities will make
A mortal man to rise above his state?”
So Drogo thought, and sought how to convey
those traits o’er which a champion must prevail.
III
“Do you observe yon wolf atop the hill?
This noble creature's very life emits
the traits you seek to find so deep within.
Few creatures are there that could stand ‘gainst him
when he is on the prowl and hunt begins.”
IV
“What of the fearsome badger?” Conan asked.
“Though small, the creature is both strong and fast.
The oil upon his fur would surely cast
the wolf into his den without combat.”
The King just laughed, and clapped him on the back.
“My friend, the wolf would snap him in a trap.
Though fierce he is, the badger would not last
against the wolf's perpetual advance.”
V
They thought on this till Rudolph spoke anew.
“The butterfly would surely a match prove,
as he would fly away before the wolf could move.
He’s graceful as he floats on morning's dew
and small enough, the wolf he would confuse.”
But Drogo smiled and asked, “Who’s seen a wound
the butterfly has made, or had to lose
his mind because of flights of them set loose?
The creature you now mention surely proves
to be of grace and beauty; women swoon
at the mere sight of him. But wolves he slew?
I cannot think of one.” They knew it true.
And so they thought, beneath the crescent moon
as Killian did play a pleasant tune.
VI
But on the hill the wolf began to howl
and Killian grew fearful of the sound.
His song began to falter till he found
the voice to speak aloud and asked around,
“Who else would speak of what it is that’s bound
to catch this wolf within its teeth and mount
a fearsome battle 'gainst this beast we’ve found?”
For all had grown to fear wolf's renown
except for him who wore the golden crown.
VII
“Ah ha!” Cried Reyni. “I have just the beast
who’d surely cause this wolf to gnash and weep.
The ancient dragon, beast of lore, you seek.
The dragon's tail alone could do this feat
and stop the wolf as he’d be crushed beneath
the mighty weight if e’er the two should meet.”
This caused the king to pause and think. “Indeed,
the dragon would prove more than you would need
to crush a wolf, but who has ever seen
this beast of lore?” He asked, “Or felt the heat
of his dread flame? Oh nay, I think that we
should stay with what we know to be indeed
upon this Earth, all else would be folly.”
VIII
They thought on this as closer still they came
unto the hill where fear burned bright as flame.
“Why do we move towards that which makes us quake
with fear?” asked Njall. But Drogo did not stray
and yet once more that howl, that long refrain,
was sounded not just once but thrice again.
So close this time that fear turned faces pale.
“Fear not, dear friends, for we will soon prevail.”
Spake Drogo calmly neath the crescent’s face.
Three time he spoke and fear, it soon gave way.
IX
Next Kuma spoke. “What of the bear, my leige?
I’ve seen a single bear with claw and teeth
destroy a pack of wolves. I have indeed
seen such a feat with my own eyes,” said he.
The others nodded. Drogo drew them near.
“Know this my friends, the bear would surely beat
a wolf in combat if they were to meet.
The bear has strength, the wolf compared is weak,
but cunning is the wolf across the field
and he will just avoid the bear in peace.”
On this they thought as near a copse of trees
they chanced to pass. Said they, “Let's rest our feet
a moment while we sit upon the green
before we climb this hill.” And all agreed.
X
Said Drogo, King of all Caid, “My friends,
the ground is soft but we must forward bend
our thoughts towards wolves for bears are few and yet
we have but scant few feet until the end
and we must, to this dire wolf attend.
He sits atop this hill as he defends
what he does think is his while we reflect.
So up they rose with fear of what’s ahead.
The king asked once again, what beast could fell
the wolf who sits upon the hill they tread.
XI
“What of the lion, noble, strong and true?”
Gamyl asked as closer still they drew
towards the top where wolf and fear both stood.
“It’s possible,” the king intoned, “that through
some twist of fate a lion be set loose
upon these fields though none has dared to put
his paw down here, perhaps the wolves have proved
too much for them so south they are removed.”
XII
“Prechance the boar, my Lord, would take the day
if e're the two should meet and one was slain.
The boar is tough to beat with tusks of pain.”
As Edward spoke the king was seen again
to smile and nod as on the hill they gained.
“A fight indeed would this be, full of rage
but in the end, the wolf would stand, it’s plain.
For tusks are not a match for tooth and nail.”
And as he finished speaking he did say,
“Where is this wolf that once held you at bay?
Let none atop this hill now be afraid
for even wolves will give the king his way.”
XIII
So Drogo stood atop the hill as king
as all Caid rejoiced as it is meet.
Long live the King, and long live all Caid!
- — THLord Augustine von Freiburg
- ... likes to dabble in different poetry types.
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