Belated AoA for Ragnarr Blackhammer
Lanea on Nov 1st 2020
This is rather obviously based on the opening to Shakespeare’s Henry V, as well it should be.
O for a bounding sea, that would crash
Its frothing waves on shores that grace a realm
Built of sand and water and flimsy dreaming hope.
See the dais, draped in silks and ermine
With thrones of gilded oak and polished shell.
Here sits Queen Muirgen, grace and beauty wreathed
Beside the Dread King Kane, in raven cloaked.
All nobles to behold the joyous scene
When still they walked among us in their youth!
Then call the warlike Ragnarr, who himself
Assumes a bat-like grace; and at his heels,
Leash’d in like hounds, should kindness, wit, and prowess
Crouch for employment. But pardon, and gentles all,
The wan, exhausted spirits that have dared
On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth
Such sweet reflection: can this vellum hold
The memories of an age, a kingdom bright,
These greying locks recast as ebony
And prospect now fulfilled–then still but wish.
Or may we cram within these stilted lines
Upon this ink stained scroll the very crowd
That did rejoice the day Ragnarr was made lord?
Thus far, with rough and all-unable pen,
Your bending bard hath recalled the story,
In little room confining aging friends,
Mangling by starts the full course of their glory.
Small time, but in that small most greatly lived
This star of Atlantia: Fortune graced his sword;
By which the land’s best reigns may be achieved,
And of it left his loved ones over-awed.
Ragnarr, wise, Black hammer on his shield
Of court and tourney did this Duke succeed;
Which oft our tales hath told; and, for their sake,
In your fair minds let this acceptance take.
Lord Ragnarr Blackhammer
Grant him arms to wit Per pale gules and sable, a lion rampant Or charged on the shoulder with a hammer sable.
On this 16th day of October Anno Societatis XXVIII (A.S. 28/1993)
Verum Est
Rex Kane I
Regina Muirgen I