Friday, May 18, 2018

Duke John at Gwyndaf of Holdingford


Duke John ap Gwyndaf of Holdingford

(Shakespearean Sonnet)

A knight from Holdingford came to Caid
The Crown to win by might and martial skill.
A brace of bears to slay e'er he proceed
To knock a raven from the sky to kill.

Duke John surveyed the field with spirits high,
The ground awash in blood and target rich.
The better to display his skill and ply
His swordsmanship to scratch a Royal itch.

But now the stakes are raised for Holdingford;
The battle of the dukes a mighty fray.
First Mansur drove John to the bloody sward
Then Patrick put paid to John's tourney day.

The Royal fight advanced as day wore on.
Twined rosemary enwreaths another one.

Mistress Philippa Llewelyn Schuyler

...an empty vessel for the Muse