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

[Sondra Gibson]

Yasmeena,  Thanks for sharing.  Really wonderful poem!  (at least I very
much enjoyed it!)

Gefjon

> 
> 
> 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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