Part 2:
Our party, now three, advanced on the grounds,
And I took care to notice all sights, smells and sounds,
Splendid bloomed flowers, I knew some of their names,
Plus a whole line of Darling shrubs carved into flames.
There were Striped Empetorians, stout in tall rows,
And the smell of cut grass, full sweet on the nose,
The faint song of larks on mine ears soon did land,
No senses stand sharp as those of a doomed man.
And yet as I observed, I was noticed thus too,
For by now we’d attracted a captain or two,
I remained mum, letting Hardy speak instead,
‘They’re in custody,’ he’d answer, ‘to the Royal they are led.’
No more would he offer, all blank-faced and passive,
Each boss would withdraw, I saw it thus happen,
The captain would then tell his unit to flank us,
Soon we gathered a squadron of soldiers cantank’rous.
And I took care to notice all sights, smells and sounds,
Splendid bloomed flowers, I knew some of their names,
Plus a whole line of Darling shrubs carved into flames.
There were Striped Empetorians, stout in tall rows,
And the smell of cut grass, full sweet on the nose,
The faint song of larks on mine ears soon did land,
No senses stand sharp as those of a doomed man.
And yet as I observed, I was noticed thus too,
For by now we’d attracted a captain or two,
I remained mum, letting Hardy speak instead,
‘They’re in custody,’ he’d answer, ‘to the Royal they are led.’
No more would he offer, all blank-faced and passive,
Each boss would withdraw, I saw it thus happen,
The captain would then tell his unit to flank us,
Soon we gathered a squadron of soldiers cantank’rous.
We thankfully reached the main entrance unscathed,
Huge doors loomed of steel, with wood ornate lathed,
Their tips arching high, aligning firm in a point,
Forcing guest or wayfarer to gaze up adroit.
‘I bring these two forth, to speak with the king,’
Hardy’s voice barking sharp, with import it did ring,
‘Sir Winthrop returns, and a dragon he’s brought,’
But the guards’ eyes flashed cold, their mouths did say naught.
Though an artist by trade, Hardy was not just gentle,
‘You look at me vacant, as a part-time guard rental?
Open these doors, open up now right quickly!”
I’ll make haste with some danger, don’t think I’m not prickly.’
When that did not roust them, mine smoothness turned blunt,
‘You dare to ignore us? You dare such affront?
With your status as doormen, clad in the king’s crest?
Rich parents paid a scutage to bring you such dress.’
This at last drew their ire, blood to their cheeks went,
With their battle skills soft, they posed me no threat,
Still I braced for a skirmish, quite ready to press it,
When out stormed their leader, a tough bird named Ezzrid.
Huge doors loomed of steel, with wood ornate lathed,
Their tips arching high, aligning firm in a point,
Forcing guest or wayfarer to gaze up adroit.
‘I bring these two forth, to speak with the king,’
Hardy’s voice barking sharp, with import it did ring,
‘Sir Winthrop returns, and a dragon he’s brought,’
But the guards’ eyes flashed cold, their mouths did say naught.
Though an artist by trade, Hardy was not just gentle,
‘You look at me vacant, as a part-time guard rental?
Open these doors, open up now right quickly!”
I’ll make haste with some danger, don’t think I’m not prickly.’
When that did not roust them, mine smoothness turned blunt,
‘You dare to ignore us? You dare such affront?
With your status as doormen, clad in the king’s crest?
Rich parents paid a scutage to bring you such dress.’
This at last drew their ire, blood to their cheeks went,
With their battle skills soft, they posed me no threat,
Still I braced for a skirmish, quite ready to press it,
When out stormed their leader, a tough bird named Ezzrid.
Now Ezzrid stood grizzled, and still had fine hearing,
White beard hanging low, could use some close shearing,
A fine knight in his day, from what I’d heard tell,
Now retired to door guard, as means to still yell.
‘Ezzrid,’ I spoke, ‘let your mood not be nicked,
Surely you know how the king has me bricked,
You’re no doubt aware, of the price should I falter,
I petition the king to amend or thus alter.’
He drank in our measure, that quick keen old codger,
Saying, ‘Zounds and ye gods, such a brazen bold bother,
The beast you bring hence shan’t make you less tortured,
You’re destined for dirt in the cold marble orchard!’
‘Please be calm,’ I did say, ‘must we cull disagreement?’
He spat on the ground, ‘Laddy-boy are you quite bent?
No dragons in Brinmore, not any such day,
Not dragon, nor griffin, nor fowl or fey.’
‘As you will,’ I did answer, ‘as you firmly believe,
Still the king must give weight to the words I’d unsleeve,
Call his Highness out here, since you forestall our entry,
Cart a throne in a field, as befitting his gentry!’
White beard hanging low, could use some close shearing,
A fine knight in his day, from what I’d heard tell,
Now retired to door guard, as means to still yell.
‘Ezzrid,’ I spoke, ‘let your mood not be nicked,
Surely you know how the king has me bricked,
You’re no doubt aware, of the price should I falter,
I petition the king to amend or thus alter.’
He drank in our measure, that quick keen old codger,
Saying, ‘Zounds and ye gods, such a brazen bold bother,
The beast you bring hence shan’t make you less tortured,
You’re destined for dirt in the cold marble orchard!’
‘Please be calm,’ I did say, ‘must we cull disagreement?’
He spat on the ground, ‘Laddy-boy are you quite bent?
No dragons in Brinmore, not any such day,
Not dragon, nor griffin, nor fowl or fey.’
‘As you will,’ I did answer, ‘as you firmly believe,
Still the king must give weight to the words I’d unsleeve,
Call his Highness out here, since you forestall our entry,
Cart a throne in a field, as befitting his gentry!’
Now hard was ol’ Ezzrid, but not lacking morals,
‘You’re a brave fool, Sir Winthrop, to traffic such quarrels,
You’ve made a fair point, I’ll go plead your case,
Then I’ll act no more, thine own fate must you face.’
With that Ezzrid left, and how slow the time passes,
The moments dripped past like a clock in molasses,
I tried to relax, but quite tense was each muscle,
Until the castle next brimmed with much action and bustle.
I knew we’d be heard, our cause not deflected,
When out near our place a fine tent was erected,
All came out most quick to make ready the pastures.
Ministers, maids, dukes, quartermasters.
Arrooo, arrooo, arroo oh jenny and rye,
Arroo hey-hey, arroo hey-hey, arroo oh jenny and rye,
Arrooo, arrooo, oh quick do we now ride,
Arroo hey-hey, arroo hey-hey, oh quick do we now ride.”
‘You’re a brave fool, Sir Winthrop, to traffic such quarrels,
You’ve made a fair point, I’ll go plead your case,
Then I’ll act no more, thine own fate must you face.’
With that Ezzrid left, and how slow the time passes,
The moments dripped past like a clock in molasses,
I tried to relax, but quite tense was each muscle,
Until the castle next brimmed with much action and bustle.
I knew we’d be heard, our cause not deflected,
When out near our place a fine tent was erected,
All came out most quick to make ready the pastures.
Ministers, maids, dukes, quartermasters.
Arrooo, arrooo, arroo oh jenny and rye,
Arroo hey-hey, arroo hey-hey, arroo oh jenny and rye,
Arrooo, arrooo, oh quick do we now ride,
Arroo hey-hey, arroo hey-hey, oh quick do we now ride.”