Re: War and the Reign

["William T. Fleming" <gorp@erols.com>]

Poster: "William T. Fleming" <gorp@erols.com>

May providence preserve our King, sustain his Queen, and reunite their
family with speed.


The Warrior’s Lament

Terrible dangers must I face
When call’d to serve my lord,
Each moment I do think to feel
The bite of some foe’s sword.

Such bitter tears my lady wept
And how she did implore
That I should remain safe at home
And never go to war.

	Well a day, well a day, when I am far away.

Battle’s perils I know full well,
The blades that tear and rend,
But ‘gainst such dangers, by my skill,
I can my life defend.

No fear have I of what I face,
When off to war I roam,
Rather is my heart fill’d with dread,
Of the dangers at home.

	Well a day, well a day, when I am far away.

While sleeping secure in our bed.
How can my love beware,
The rank and deadly diseases
Which drift on the night air.

Against such invisible foes,
What sword could ever guard,
What armor keep her body safe,
Or shield her dear life ward.

	Well a day, well a day, when I am far away.

What of my ambitious neighbor,
Who coveteth my fief,
Will he gamble that I shan’t return,
And steal it like a thief.

He sent only peasant levies
To serve our king in war.
At home he hath train’d men enou’
To breach my lady’s door.

	Well a day, well a day, when I am far away.

Perhaps my lady is with child,
A daughter or a son,
But tragedy may come from what
Was pleasantly begun.

Full many a wife hath perish’d
Bringing a child to birth
And the souls of babe and mother,
As one depart the earth.

	Well a day, well a day, when I am far away.

Many idle lords did remain
Behind in our fair land.
Their skill lieth in silver tounge,
Rather than in sword hand.

With honey’d words they would debauch
The wives of honest men
And if their suits ladies rebuff,
They simply rape them then.

	Well a day, well a day, when I am far away.

A spiteful word may great harm cause
And cut like any knife.
A rumor spread by jealousy
May end my lady’s life

Full well I know she loveth me
More than her living breath.
If some foul wag said I had died,
She might well seek her death.

	Well a day, well a day, when I am far away.

And what if she should chose to go
To visit kith or kin.
Foul bandits wait along the road
To do my lady in.

They’d slay her for her golden broach
Or drag her to their lair
And there with rough hands ravish her,
For she is oh, so fair.

	Well a day, well a day, when I am far away.

Oh, ladies sing their sad laments,
When their lords go to war.
They shed salt tears and sore complain,
Of what they must endure.

But think of what their lords do feel,
As they strive for their lives.
All of the worries they must bear,
For children and for wives.

	Well a day, well a day, when I am far away.
=======================================================================
List Archives, FAQ, FTP:  http://merryrose.atlantia.sca.org/
            Submissions:  atlantia@atlantia.sca.org
        Admin. requests:  majordomo@atlantia.sca.org