The Accolade
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http://www.scarletquince.com/pat.php?pat=BLA001 Link one.
http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Leighton Wickipedia with the same pictures and some info on the artist.
First painting is "The Accolade," the second "Godspeed!" Both by Edmund Blair Leighton.
Notes and Explanations, also some Medaeval Facts:
I also used "Godspeed!" for a little of my inspiration; it is in both links.
For this poem I used the meter 7.6.7.6. Lines one and three are Trochaic, and 2 and 4 are Iambic.
I have tried to depict some of the culture of the day, as I am very much into medaeval life and customs. One example is that of a squire being knighted by a person of import upon valiant deeds in battle.
Langely Tower is fictional; it could possibly exist, but I am not aware of one.
"I ween" means the same thing as "I imagine", or "I think".
I have a few references to The Legend of King Arthur; I imagine the time period would be some hundreds of years after. The theory is that after the dividing of Logris, there were sometimes many monarchs ruling what we now call England, which would explain why she did not make the history books. Legends and ballads are better anyway.
Gilbert is supposed to be the leader of Faith's army. The wars that are taking place are internal wars, among the different monarchs and people groups they represent.
A favour was something that a young woman gave a knight to wear, sometimes jewelry or a sleeve. It was supposed to make the knight braver, because he would either bring honour or dishonour to the damsel.
With the ideology of courtly love, it was not uncommon for nearly every knight in the service of a queen to claim to love her. However, that a queen would marry a knight, or make the decision who to marry is rather unthinkable for the era. But that was a long time ago; I think I am justified in changing a little bit and giving Faith the happy ending.
Fighting mid the strong and bold,
His eye and blade were keen;
Marching like a thund'ring storm
On foes of Faith, his queen.
Now returned in victory
Upon his mighty bay,
Set he off to Langley Tow'r
Her summons to obey.
"John the Squire," the footman called,
And held the oaken door;
Faith, it seemed, had gleaming eyes
Like never once before.
"John! 'tis good to see thee hale,"
The queen exclaimed, and rose:
Tales have sped to Langley's gates
Of many broken bows."
"God has saved me whole and well,
By prayers, I ween, of thee;
Tell me please, my lady Queen
What service I may be."
Saying thus, the squire bowed
And doffed his burnished helm;
Struck in awe by Faith, his love,
The queen of Arthur's realm.
"Gilbert saith," rehearsed the queen,
"That deeds of thee are done
Greater yet than those of Wat
Or even Henry's son."
Tears bedecked her youthful face,
And glistened in the light;
John the Squire, as she had hoped,
Had done her favour right.
"Nay!" the humble squire cried,
"This word is not so true!
How could I, the meanest squire,
Perform the deeds they do?"
"Hush!" It was a firm command;
"I'll hear these lies no more;
Kneel before me, Squire John,
A knight shall leave the door."
Down before the queen he knelt,
He pledged his knighthood true;
Swore her ev'ry small command
With cheerful heart to do.
From his side she drew his sword,
She struck the accolade;
"Thus the greatest knight," she said,
"Is from a squire made."
From her hand the sword did fall,
It clashed upon a stone:
"John, if battle claimed thy life,
How could I be alone?"
"God has prospered all my ways;
My Queen, I praythee, cease!
Soon these wars shall claim our foes,
And Britain be in peace."
Faith remained there by her throne,
With light upon her hair;
Not one maid of Camelot
Was even half so fair.
"God be with thee evermore,"
She bravely said at last;
"Guard and keep thee from the foe
Until the very last."
John the Knight farewell did bid,
And swiftly rode away:
When the wars were hammered out,
He'd be a king in May.
For the Famous Art contest. Inspired by the painting "The Accolade" -1901 by Edmund Blair Leighton.
Copyright © Isaiah Zerbst | Year Posted 2013
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