[MR] Have a Grand Pennsic

[JBRMM266 at aol.com]

To All who will be at Pennsic ~


May your journey there and back be without mishap, foul weather, or legal
intervention.

May your wait at the gate be not too long, and may the company there be
congenial.

May your tent be standing squarely when you arrive, or may it go up without
hitch, glitch, or stitch.

May the sun be warm, but not overpowering, and may it not burn too deep into
your eyes or your flesh.

If there be rain, let it fall gently with not too much wind, and let it not
interrupt a battle or a court.

May there be fresh breezes, enough to cool the air and set the banners
aflutter, but not to kick up dust clouds or uproot tents.

May the nights be cool, let them glow with the light of torches, fires, and
lanthorns, and with the magic of ten thousand imaginations.

May those who fight have true hands, strong legs, and sharp eyes.  May you
aye strike true and and fair and firm.  May your weapons be true and neither
bend nor break.  May your armor pass muster, guard you well, and ride easily
on you.  And not chafe you too badly.

May all archers draw straight and true, may your bows ne'er break, may your
arrows be straight, true, and safe. May your eyes be clear and your arms
firm.

May the engineers ne'er be hoist of their own petards, and may their engines
run smoothly, launch their missiles cleanly, and may no latches jam, no
ropes spring loose, no fingers be caught in mechanisms.

May all heed the admonition at the base of the Rune-Stone:  "May no [one]
strike in anger, let no [one] die in pain."

May all make a pilgrimage to the Rune-Stone, and see for yourself how that
sentiment is expressed and contained.

May all water-bearers receive thanks in abundance from all those whose
thirst they slake, and may they remember to slake their own thirsts from
time to time.

May all Marshals have keen eyes, good memories, and excellent judgement, but
may those qualities be called upon as little as possible.

May the Chirurgeons have a dull war.

May the Heralds have loud, clear voices that ne'er crack, may they have the
attention of all who hear them, and may their knowledge be called upon often
enough at the tables to be interesting but not to be oppressive.

May the music be sonorous, stirring, and soothing by turns.  May the
harmonies be true, the reeds not get dry, the drums not get wet.  

May the voices that sing, alone or in chorus, carry the emotions and
messages of their songs to the ears of many appreciative and attentive
listeners.

May the food and drink be abundant, and may the hangovers be mild.

May the Merchants and Purveyors prosper, may the buyers get good value, may
there be enough for all but not a lot of excess to take home!

Have a grand Pennsic, my friends.

Your servant aye,
Donal Mac Ruiseart