View source for Sestina of the Champions

''Written regarding the Champions Battle at Pennsic XV by Mistress Dorigen of the Grey Gate''<br>
<br>
Duke Moonwulf, noble Midrealm knight, <br>
full-armed stood forth upon a summer's field<br>
to meet Sir Manfred, chivalrous and strong<br>
defender of the East, our champion bold,<br>
while Kings and Queens in crescent sat arrayed<br>
to see the battle of those mighty swords.<br>
<br>
The day was clouded.  Shields and swords<br>
approached the fray with caution, as the knight<br>
and Duke moved in a warlike dance, arrayed<br>
and shining, passing, circling, on the field; <br>
testing the strength of shields, yet not too bold,<br>
no opening to tempt the swift and strong.<br>
<br>
From west to east they moved, the strong<br>
Tyger and Dragon, striking with their swords<br>
until at once those well-matched warriors bold<br>
espied a weakness, and both Duke and knight<br>
(from east to west returning o'er the field)<br>
struck at the legs 'neath sturdy shields arrayed. <br>
<br>
And now those knights, in steel arrayed, <br>
crashed to the ground, with bell-like echo strong<br>
resounding from Mount Aislinn to the field.<br>
Then each saluted each, with upraised swords;<br>
each took his place, so neither Duke nor knight<br>
had more advantage in that combat bold.<br>
<br>
Now on their knees they fought, the bold<br>
and mighty Duke, in honour well arrayed,<br>
and shield to shield with him, the Eastern knight,<br>
our valiant champion Manfred, skilled and strong,<br>
close-joined in battle, with determined swords,<br>
for only one at last might hold the field.<br>
<br>
The two strove hard to win the field.<br>
First Moonwulf struck, but Manfred blocked his bold<br>
endeavor, and amid the clash of swords<br>
the East that day in glory was arrayed:<br>
for Manfred struck, his sword-arc swift and strong,<br>
and Moonwulf fell, slain by our champion knight.<br>
<br>
What battlefield was e'er so well arrayed?<br>
The Tyger's swords met well the Dragon strong;<br>
the victor bold was Manfred, Eastern knight.<br>
<br>
© Janet Anderson September 30, 2011
[[Category:Poems and Songs]]