[MR] An ode to War

[marco]

Pardon my short missive, but others in the Barony suggested strongly I
publish this(sort of).

 

An ode to War

By Marco da Verona

 

 

Kings, Queens, Prince and Princess's gather and call to arms,

Knights, squires, fencer's and archer's answer the call,

Kingdoms gather from near and far,

Across the land and sea,

For War, has been declared once again;

 

>From near and far the populace gathers,

Some to fight, some to support,

All answered the call;

 

Kings all; "CALL TO ARMS!",

Knights and squires, men at arms all!

Gather now on the battlefield,

Answer the call, we are at war!

 

 

Army's gathered,

Armor rattles and shines,

Shield's brandish hideous beasts and bold colors,

Swords drawn, crashing in unison, 

Anticipation grows as battle lines assemble;

 

Horn's sound, cheers sound across the field,

Walls of steel and sinew rush head long,

With a great CRASH, the battle is on!

Commands echo across the lines,

A great clatter of sword and shield,

The flash of bolt and arrow, bodies littering the field;

 

With finesse and steel,

Blades dancing a dance of death,

Hats, gaily adorned with feathers,

Quick thrusts and parry,

Blocked by hand and shield,

Another battle rages in ones and twos;

 

By one or by all,

Feather and shaft lift gracefully in air,

Some flying true and some missing their mark,

Shouts of encouragement and some in jest,

There are Archer's on the field, 

Fighters should beware,

lest they find themselves as the French long ago;

 

Cannon fire thunders, 

Smoke and dust drift on the field,

Scores of voices rise in cheer!

"The battle is won!", let us fight again in the morn;

 

 

 

Sunrise, quiet across the camps,

Smoke from morning fires hang low,

Quiet voices and calls rise with the morning sun and heat,

Another day begins;

 

Tents of many hues and shapes,

Banners snapping in the breeze,

Clatter of cooking pots and armor echo,

Children laughing and playing,

Fighters gathering weapons and armor for the days next battle;

 

Crowds gather at the market place,

Merchants stalls crowded with goods and people alike,

Trinkets, leather and pottery abound,

Savory smells in the air,

Men and women discuss the merits of armor and garb alike;

 

Cannon sound in the distance, 

Another battle is done,

Night falls, lanterns brighten the dark,

Hosts gather guests for food and drink,

Enemies on the battlefield drink now together in jest,

Revelers dance and drink the night away,

Performers gather on corners to entertain and WOW!

 

Foe's by day, friends and family by night, 

Another day, another year, another battle is done,

Pennsic War is done for today,  

Forty years of war and peace, 

Observed by my first.