[Northkeep] Verse on being Crown
Hugh & Belinda Niewoehner
BurgBorrendohl at earthlink.net
Tue Aug 14 15:36:34 PDT 2001
I've received a few inquiries about that verse at the end of the post I
forwarded.
Here's the comments about where it came from:
> >I particularly like that piece in verse. Do you know who wrote it?
>
> Do you mean the verse lines about "What it is to be King"? Most of the ideas
> of what is said (though not how) is traditional for Calontir. They started as
> a selection of the ideas and lines used in past Coronations to these I added
> a number of lines from a few songs I felt explained things well (the Burden
> of the Crown and Causes of rebellion come to mind quickly). As much of our
> coronation was in the verse style of the Song of Roland, Master Gerald of
> Ipsley turned it all into verse.
>
> Heres a few examples of the song lines:
>
> The first line: "This crown, a circlet, the sign of our land" is a play on
> the lines from "the Burden of the Crown: which says:
> "This Crown of polished metal, is the symbol of our land,
> Upholding all we cherish, the dreams for which we stand"
>
> The lines: "He thinks first of his men, their beasts, their land. And last of
> the pride that flows from sword hand " comes from the song Causes of
> Rebellion where it actually says:
> "There's many a man in the lands of the East,
> A few in the West and Middle ,
> Who hold a Lord is last to the feast,
> Thinks first of his men, their lands their beasts,
> And then of his pride - a little."
>
> The lines: "A child may play in a castle tower. The king who does soon sees
> the hour, The land he rules has lost all power, The glory once sweet is
> spoiled and sour." also come from Causes of Rebellion which actually says:
> "A Child may play in a castle tower,
> But the Lord who does soon sees the hour,
> He hasn't a land worth ruling"
>
> The line: "By each of their subjects, kingdoms are known" Comes from one of
> our AoA texts which used the lines: "By each of its subject a Kingdom is
> known", and "By each of Our subjects Our kingdom is known" a few times.
>
> Anyway, you get the idea I'm sure. :)
>
> By the way, Lyriel also had lines telling her what it is to be Queen (But the
> King ones are cooler.) They were tailored to her as well of course.
>
> The Queen must be cheerful in the coldest hall
> She must be mirthful though her spirits fall
> She is ever patient, though her interest palls
> She answers promptly when the kingdom calls.
> She is the sharpness in swords of the knights
> She is the fire that makes axes bite.
> She is the keenness in the cast of the spear
> She is inspiration, making chivalry dear.
>
> For artisans, servants and warriors bold
> Queens give inspiration and their courses mold,
> But Justice for the weak does your crown enfold,
> Mercy for the innocent you must uphold.
> Friends may come for judgement, their causes just and bold.
> You must choose between them by the laws of old.
> This may be the price of your crown of gold
> You may lose a friendship you would rather hold.
>
> In your people's interest you must always act
> With both law and people, you have made a pact
> The people know your worth as undoubted fact
> They will cherish crowns more than an artifact
> They will do more service than you would exact
> As on their willing shoulders like a giant you ride
> You will see the dangers from which you cannot hide.
>
>
> See ya,
>
> Fernando
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