LR - Marmaduke at the War

[Kip H]

Vivat m'lord  :-)

>From: "Padraig Ruad O'Maolagain" <padraig_ruad at irishbard.com>
>Reply-To: loch-ruadh at ansteorra.org
>To: <elfsea at ansteorra.org>, <loch-ruadh at ansteorra.org>
>Subject: LR - Marmaduke at the War
>Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 15:19:24 -0800
>
>
>Good Gentles,
>
>I was inspired by Marmaduke's valiant and enthusiastic actions at the War, 
>and have composed a lay for him - my first, and I hope not the last, 
>inspiration for verse and song from the War.
>
>Padraig
>
>Marmaduke at the War
>
>Hear now the lay of Marmaduke Treebane,
>Slayer of Trimarians, killer of trees.
>Strong stood the line of the foe on the hillside
>Arrayed there against us deep in the ravine
>Arthurians stood fast, not fearing the foemen
>Awaiting a sign from our leader, the Wolf
>Advance did he cry, and their line seemed to tremble
>Although they held firm and their spearmen grew bolder
>Daring to thrust out between the massed shields
>Marmaduke stood, and their spears could not find him
>Only sliding across the great face of his shield
>At last came the moment and the Wolf gave the word
>Forward sprang Marmaduke, fast as the lightning
>The enemy line were all flung like skittles
>Scattered about and their line was well broken
>Still Marmaduke charged them, sure there were more
>And have them he would, no matter their number
>Shield up and head down, just as we’d practiced
>Forward he thundered and did not catch sight of
>The tree that the Trimarian line had concealed
>The crash was resounding, the impact tremendous
>The force of the blow bent his shield near in two
>Though grievously stunned, this warrior still struggled
>To pull his shield o’er him to protect, as he’d learned
>Till helped from the field and sat, in full honour
>To rest in the warrior’s repose he had earned
>The next day in battle, once again the foe facing
>After holding an enemy line of far more than sixty
>Against our mere dozen, where broke they and halted
>We sat resting ‘tween battles, sweet water refreshing
>He gazed out at the Trimarians gathered together
>Laughed to himself softly, and to me he turned
>My look was a question, and he answered it freely
>I’ve discovered, said he, with no overstatement,
>A fact that I would not have known but for battle
>Trimarians and allies are determined and strong
>Worthy opponents and an honour to face them
>But no matter their strength or talent or weapons
>Sixty Trimarians aren’t as tough as one tree.
>We fought on together, Arthurians determined
>That the Black Star should triumph, and our King be the victor
>And it needed the Earth itself to rise and assail him
>When stormed we the fort and did open the way
>Then they led him from battle, protesting but injured
>For he’d broken the foot upon which he’d landed
>But I’m still alive, he cried out to the Marshals
>And though under objection he went then from the field
>He did so in honour, no shame to his striving
>And we fell to the fray once again for his cause
>Battered by Trimarian spears did we fall
>And fell there in triumph, in Marmaduke’s stead
>For his the example our ideal to follow
>A hero of heroes, then, passing in victory
>He leads by his actions, not counting the cost
>This then the lay of Marmaduke Treebane
>Slayer of Trimarians, killer of trees
>Mother Earth and her forests it took to defeat him
>Trimaris and her allies an annoyance, at worst.
>
>
>--
>Nunc Est Bibendum
>--
>
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