Gift-Poem for the Kingdom of Drachenwald, for King Matthew and Queen Anna--Pennsic XXVII




Hear all beings, high and low of Heimdall's children!
Hear of Matthew Noble, Gracious Anna!
Hear of Mighty Drachenwald!


A place this is                        where fair ones fare,
walk in tracks                        of ancient kin.
Fearsome warriors                 strong in steel-song;
Mailclad                                sword-wealth!
Before them fall                    fell foemen thick
as crimson heart-rain            in thundered shieldstorm!


For Matthew king                  the ancient ones stir,
hearing old battle-cries          in his voice.
Know him, they, kin-well,      he with gold-girt brow!


For Anna Queen                    forsake they sleep
in well-won                            bed barrows.
Reach they for axe                and sword and spear;
shrug off dust and                 age-old sleeping
to serve Her at                      Her fair beckoning!


Hear the hills                        and ghost-halls
echo, ring with                      new songs sung
of beauty and valor,               of war and wonder
of battle and glory;                of bright heroes
ancient and new,                   ageless and bold!


Hail to Drachenwald              where Old Ones' blood
beats proud and strong          in worthy new veins!

Wyndreth's note... During the reign of Alasdair and Isabel, They asked the bardic community of Northshield for works to present to the Kingdoms and Principalities of The Known World at Pennsic War that summer, which I thought then and still think now, was a way cool idea!.  I volunteered to write for Drachenwald for a couple of reasons:  It's unbelieveably cool that they are actually THERE where all the real stuff happened, and can walk among the ruins of what we try now to recreate, and I can't help but wonder what all those old ghosts must think about us...  I have no doubt they recognized the nobility and chivalry of Matthew and Anna, regardless.

And also, because the people of Drachenwald were universally, incredibly kind to a friend of mine...