[Artemisia] Re: [AnTir-Horse] A poem: The Deed of Henrik the Dane

[Willa - Rose]

Thank for your post Good Mistress Kerije. I was there and rode against
him on foot (he was, I was notI).  I have always admired Duke Henrik's
talents in horse training from the first day I met him at 3YC and each of
the other times I've ridden with him interkingdom... 4 in all. He always
has patience with the young horses and only asks of a rental mount what
he/she has the heart to give. Truly a great chevalier. BTW, Duke Henrik 
is one of my SCA Equestrian heros.

Yasmeena

Al-Farissa Mu'allemah Yasmeena, OL, OP, Cd'O 
"The Equestrian Mistress Yasmeena"
Minister of the Royal Stables of Artemisia 
Mounted Companion of the Lance of St. Anne 
http://lanceofstanne.homestead.com/yasmeena.html



On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 00:23:56 -0000 "xongkerije"
<crystal_smithwick at hotmail.com> writes:
> Forwarded by permission
> ===================================================================
> 
> At March Crown in the West, His Grace Henrik of Havn was called into 
> 
> Court
> to be praised for his deeds in the Equestrian Tournament at Estrella 
> 
> War.
> I was proud to be able to express his deeds in a period fashion 
> before
> the assembled populace. The only thing you really need to know is 
> that
> Ivone is prounced Evonny (three syllables).
> -- In service to my Queen -- Frederick.
> 
> The Deed of Henrik the Dane
> -- Frederick of Holland, February xxxviii
> 
> A noble Knight was riding o'er the plain
> Clad all in mail and bearing spear and shield.
> The land he passed had never felt the rain
> Deep dust the only crop that it could yield.
> Yet pressed he on, across that barren field
> To reach the land that lay on its far side,
> Wherein in three days time his lance he'd wield.
> In service of his Queen, to bring her pride,
> To bring her honor, in the tourney he would ride.
> 
> A Duke he was of far off Western lands:
> Of kingly line, prowesse and honor bright;
> Of many tourneys won, all by his hands,
> With chivalry and virtue, and his might.
> Henrik of Havn, the Dane, was this man hight,
> For three score years he'd weathered Nature's force
> Yet age had not diminishéd his might
> Nor yet made weak his seat upon a horse
> To serve his noble Queen, in tournament he'd course.
> 
> The Queen of each great land had chosen one
> To bear upon a lance a pennon fair
> In tourney in that land named by the Sun
> That each might prove their skill at riding there.
> Queen Ivone had chosen with great care
> The one who would ride for the Hollow Crown
> Across the lists set in the desert bare;
> The Danish Duke was one of high renown
> Once he had taken lance, ne'er would he set it down.
> 
> The passages did start and horses bold,
> Champed at their bits and waited in the sand;
> Stood still, then raced as in the days of old
> Against the quintain set upon its stand.
> But Fortune's Dame had played an evil hand,
> Each gallant there rode horses chose by lot,
> And Henrik's horse would not obey command,
> Nor pass the quintain by, at walk or trot,
> But shied away, as if `twere scared by cannon shot.
> 
> Twice now has Henrik led the horse, afoot,
> Along the path which it should swiftly ride
> Then mounts he up and spurs it with his boot,
> But yet again away the horse has shied.
> All gathered there can see what he has tried,
> Availing naught, and wait for him to yield.
> But he will not contrariness abide;
> Dismounts he then and takes up spear and shield
> To horseless ride the course across the barren field.
> 
> Clad all in mail, thrice has he run the course,
> With spear and shield to strike the target straight,
> In blazing sun, as fast as any horse,
> Then has paced back to stand and silent wait
> To see what is his fair opponent's fate.
> Each time the cheers do echo `cross the land.
> Thrice does she ride as well with even gait
> But misses once, the spear slip'd in her hand,
> And Henrik takes the point: though horseless, not un-manned.
> 
> Then Ivone, fair Queen of Western lands,
> Bestows upon the Duke a favor rare
> And binds it round his neck with her own hands,
> A silver unicorn for him to wear.
> And then before the people gathered there
> One champion dismounts her horse to say:
> "Great Duke, I ask that you would ride my mare,
> And I will sit on yours throughout this day."
> Duke Henrik, mounted, further contests does assay.
> 
> Great deeds of fame are done `neath banners bright
> By those who ride their horses without rest.
> The Queens do prizes give, ere fall of night,
> To those who victors were, who rode the best,
> But most of all to that Duke of the West,
> And to that lady, soul of courtesy,
> Who from adversity did honor wrest.
> In ending thus may all our contests be:
> All winning great renown, with highest chivalry.
> 
> 
> * * * Frederick of Holland, MSCA, OP, OL, etc.
> 
> 


Al-Farissa Mu'allemah Yasmeena, OL, OP, Cd'O 
"The Equestrian Mistress Yasmeena"
Minister of the Royal Stables of Artemisia 
Mounted Companion of the Lance of St. Anne 
http://lanceofstanne.homestead.com/yasmeena.html


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