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<DIV>>I have heard some talk of "No Sh*t, there I was" stories as though they
<BR>> are some lesser form of bardic, if they are bardic at all. </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>They *are* a lesser form. A perfectly period
style piece is better than a mostly period style piece is better than a
generically non-modern piece is better than a modern piece is better than no
piece at all.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>A great bard has pieces on all of these levels, but
he also recognizes the differnce between the levels.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>> In my mind, <BR>> there is no higher calling in the bardic
arts. Now, it doesn't have to <BR>> start with that infamous first
line, but those stories are what preserve <BR>> our history, and that to me
is a primary duty of a bard. What's the <BR>> difference between a No
Sh*t story and a glorious piece of Ansteorran <BR>> history? About 10
years and some polish on the delivery, oh and drop <BR>> the first
line.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Of course. But if the piece with ten years of
polish and no silly first line is a greater form, then that is equivalent to
saying that the silly version is a lesser form.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>> I'll leave you with this little gem in what may have <BR>>
been its original form:<BR>> <BR>> "No Sh*t there I was at this battle
where these 300 guys were facing <BR>> down the entire Persian
army..."<BR><FONT face=Arial size=2><BR></DIV></FONT>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Does anybody think that a piece that starts this
way will be as good as "300"? Anybody?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Consider the two following
descriptions:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>"Louis the Badger has a habit of always holding an
open seat at his camp table, for any who wander by. He was fighting
with the Arthurian company under Airaklee's command at Gulf War. Roughly
halfway through the battle Duke Patrick Michael, the general of the army, was
struck unexpectedly by a fiberglass spear and a hold was called. Airaklee,
a chirurgeon, left to see if he could help Duke Patrick. Command of
the Arthurian company therefore went to Louis. Louis marched the
Arthurians just out from the cover of the shield wall and straight for the
Trimarin line. He ordered the unit to slide right. He then yelled
"Wheel left" and everyone swung around like a gate. They were now on the
Trimarian flank, and announced a column charge. The Arthurians slammed
into the end of the wall and knocked it down like a row of dominos. The
Ansteorran shield wall wasted no time and charged immediately, killing the
Trimarians to a man."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Or:</FONT></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>But one spear was fated<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>to fell a great warrior.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>The ash-snake struck,<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> s</SPAN>pearing Duke
Patrick.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>Airaklee harkened;<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>His heart
burned<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>This hardened warrior<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>had the hands of
a healer.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>He ran to give comfort,<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>though ringed by his foes.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>The Arthurians stood<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>unsteady in
heart<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>Bereft of their leader,<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>but Louis stood
forth,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>As fierce as a badger,<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>battle-hardened.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>Hefting his shield, said,<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“Hold your heads
high.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>It will not be uttered<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>in Elfsea’s
halls<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>That our company quailed<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>when courage was
needed.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>That we grew weak<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>or wished for
safety<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>When the blue-clad foemen<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>brought battle upon
us.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>While board and broadsword<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I bear in my hands
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>I will not flee<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>a foot’s length from here.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>You know in my halls<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I hold at my
table<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>An open seat always<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>for any to
eat.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>The ravens are waiting,<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The wolves are
approaching.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>A seat I hold open<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>for the
scavenging beasts.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>Trimarins I’ll carve<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>for the coming
meal.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>Follow me now.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That
feasting is near.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>Giving his challenge, he charged the shield
wall.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>Leaving the safety<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>of the line of
shields.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>The Arthurians wheeled,<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>weapons
thirsting,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>Breaking the shield wall,<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>the bold battle
thanes<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>Slew many Trimarins --<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>a terrible
slaughter<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>Of blood-spattered warriors<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>in broken
formation.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>Behind the Arthurians, the thanes of the Black
Star,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>The gold-clad line,<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>glory-hungry<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>Wary the Arthurians<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>were winning the
honors<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>Came finally to Louis’s band,<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>led by his
valor.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>No Trimarins could stand<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>to that stalwart
band<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>The black star burned fiercely<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>as foemen were
slain.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial size=2>Wisely he
led them,<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Louis
the badger</FONT></P>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT
face=Arial size=2>With the heart of a warrior.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He was a good thane.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT
face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT
face=Arial size=2>One of these is greater than the other. This is
equivalent to saying that the other is lesser.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT
face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT
face=Arial size=2>Robin of Gilwell / Jay Rudin</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
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