Poems


For Love of a Lady:
The Eastern Spring Crown Tournament AS XLII

The Royal Forest blossomed beneath the rains of spring.
"Make haste unto the Woodlands!" the herald's voice did ring.
"All who would dare do battle, a crown thereby to win,
come swiftly with your households, your panoply and all your kin."

The recent floods receded, the grass was wet and green.
The sunlight shone in glory upon the armor's sheen.
A flower girl strewed petals to sound of drum and string
as champions and consorts processed and knelt before their king.

Most regal was King Gryffith beside his radiant Queen,
Aikaterine the golden, the fairest ever seen.
They sat their thrones serenely while harp and cittol played.
A rose to every consort they gave to grace such well arrayed.

Two score and ten contended to gain the Eastern crown.
The sun began to wester while blows like rain fell down.
The vanquished ones departed, with grass their tabards stained,
until only the Falcon and Three Increscent Moons remained.

The Duke Andreas Eisfalke and brave Sir Kenrick Burne
saluted their good sovereigns and consorts in their turn.
They dueled first with pole-arms and paced a deadly dance
until Sir Kenrick's helmet from one swift blow had little chance.

With great swords next they battled beneath the fading sun,
but as Andreas fell, he struck, and Kenrick too was done.
Sir Kenrick was the victor, but he was stunned as well.
Thus two fighters mighty gave watching bards a tale to tell.

With efforts now redoubled, their great swords crossed once more,
knight and seasoned veteran of harsh and distant war.
Each took the other's measure, well matched in strength and skill.
The blow was swift and sudden, the Moons fell to the Falcon's will.

The next bout was right friendly. They met with sword and shield.
The two opponents parleyed, no shred of doubt revealed.
The Duke attacked right swiftly, the knight wrapped in return.
Amid the frenzied flurry, one blow struck home from Kenrick Burne.

Each man then held two weapons to fight the final round.
The gathered crowd was silent and uttered not a sound.
Again advanced Andreas and caught a glancing blow.
His blade struck out as lightning, and so was Kenrick Burne laid low.

Thus did the good King Gryffith come by his kingdom's Heir.
Aikaterine the radiant now has a princess fair.
The noble Prince Andreas did kiss his true wife's hand,
lauding his Gabriella and crowning her with silver band.

When time so duly passes, may peaceful be their reign,
the warrior and his lady who waited not in vain.
He risked his life in battle; she prayed to God above,
but they are now rewarded for battles he had waged for love.

--XVIII May AS XLII




About the Poem

This poem is a sample of the Nibelungen stanza, used in Middle High German epic poetry, named for its use in the Nibelungenlied (ca. 1200-1204). It is composed of two pairs of lines, with the rhyme scheme aabb. The first three lines are each made of two half-lines, the first half containing four stresses, with the last two stresses on the same word, and the second half with three stresses and a pause. The last line has four stresses in the first half like the previous three, but four stresses in the second half. Ideally, the last word of the first half-lines should be at least two syllables, then, with the major stress on the next-to-last syllable. The stanzas are usually self-contained units, with the last line inviting reflection, and sometimes dark and gnomic utterance, before the measure renews its force at the beginning of the next stanza.

I chose this form for the winner's Germanic name, and because such a rhythm lends itself to telling tales of deeds of arms and battles. If it reads with a borderline sing-song effect, it is because the English language is less suited to such a form. Recent translations of the Nibelungenlied are in prose, for the most part, while Victorian-era translations attempt the emphasis on the stresses. I wasn't certain of the pronunciation of the Queen's name, so I've based the rhythm of the lines where it appears on four syllables. My thanks to Mistress Dorigen for helping me with some troublesome lines.

-Dona Ana de Guzman, Troub., OM, QHD
mka Ana Keveney

Sources:

Hatto, A.T., tran. The Nibelungenlied. New York: Penguin Putnam, Inc., 1969.

Preminger, Alex, ed. The Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics. Princeton University Press, 1965.





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This is my song commissioned by Queen Gabriella of the East for the royalty and people of Aethelmearc for their Passing of the Ice Dragon event. The melody is based on Cantiga de Santa Maria #167, by Alfonso X of 13th century Castilla.

The East sends greetings to its Sylvan child
of rivers wide and mountain ranges wild.
Once more you mark the Icy Dragon's death
and greet the light and Spring's life-giving breath.
We hail your heart and your prosperity
and likewise laud your salient artistry.
With verdant blooms will come another reign.
The Sylvan lands more grace and valor gain.
May all of your endeavors meet success:
All mothers wish their children nothing less.
Fair AEthelmearc, your valleys ring with song!
May all your years be prosperous and long.

-M. Ana de Guzman, Koenigines Dichterin (Queen's Poet) of the East

XV March AS XLII