A step, a swing, a step aside
Her Majesty Mari Alexander
Who fought the byes at Crown Tournament
(sonnet)
A step, a swing, a step aside, and then
Two bodies bend and twist in perfect time.
A beat, a blow, a block, and once again
She moves within the dance, her joy sublime.
The furious measure passes - blow for blow -
She matches her opponent - stride for stride.
Alert for block too wide, parry too slow,
She sees. She strikes, and sweeps his sword aside.
A step, a thrust, he tumbles to the ground,
Another who has fallen to her steel.
Her fire and grace give glory to her crown,
And, beaten true, he cannot help but feel
To lose to her he counts himself well blest.
Hail, Mari Alexander, Queen of the West!
- — Lady Mary Dedwydd verch Gwallter
- ... is an 11th century Welshwoman who lives in Spain.
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