| >> |
01/23/12(Mon)04:56 No.17642239Years ago I stood, under banners bright and true. From our homes and loves we marched; once then as now do you.
My father beamed proud, my mother wept; I bid them both farewell. My sharpened fork, my rugged clothes, an' coin from what I could sell. "One day," I said, "I will return, to tell a won'drus tale!" Then off to serve my king and realm I knew I would not fail.
My lord was proud and my brothers true with a jesting bawdy rhyme; my first sweet love came to see me off, oh once upon a time.
The road was long, the days grew cold, and I soon saw battle join. I took a wound, I slayed a man, and after took his coin. I hoped for home that evening come and asked for when it be, yet the grizzled man I asked did naught but shrug and say, "Off with ye!"
The wound did heal and so did many after, but my brothers said not the same and soon they did fade faster. I learned of ale and then of dice, which I tried myself to master; from my mind my first love faded, lost in camp whores laughter.
From the dead my ars'nel grew, changing first my fork for spear. Then axe and chain and helmet made of iron settled 'bove my ear. My first lord fell and another came, his son or brother then; then he did fall and the next as well, banners changed again.
With the seasons and the constant toll of war, it did come to pass that in the end I commanded a four-score. I kept them well, I ordered camp, I commanded them in war, and when the battle was said and done I never asked what for. |
