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
