The Nestle

A loveliness was found for him,

a tender touch with kindness.

Though he did not know her

she lay next to his heart

warming the shallow with nestling.

Warmth which only she could impart.

*

Unlearned gentleness of a girl

for might was not the needing,

nor a shield from arrows.

Her beauty was to him

as though through a mist percieved,

her innocence unhurt by whim.

*

It was the councel of others

that had brought her to his side,

and that with searching long,

her warm simplicity

the gift that only she could bring,

so that heart with heart would agree.

*

Soft petal in the morning chill

she lay in darkness under.

The moonlight's cold she stays

and sweetly flows the flow.

Her soft breath will not awaken him

as she makes his heart her pillow.

Guinevere's bed

Shall a pale shadow

and she a ghost, a phantom

cost so valiant a king,

whose heart will hold with a promise

and break it with beguiling.

She will betray you with her kiss

*

Arms that will hold you,

eyes that have encaptured your own,

in another's arms entwined

making warm with passion the place

where is no promise to bind.

Dying sweetly in the embrace

*

Chivalry begone

with chasing from the kingdom.

Camlan's field will be the site,

the question Guinevere shall pose,

wild the cherry she will bite,

will bitter you too in the throes.

*

Was it Caliburn?

taken up for the kingdom

that had brought the victory

or was it honour which prevailed?

the true cause we may now see.

Then cast away the sword that failed.

*

Ah valiant heart

will be for a shadow pale,

pierced through with lady's arrow.

When she has made you cuckold,

then Albion's race will know,

for Guinevere's bed they were sold.

*

Mist that lays across

not only lake but the realm

now veils from our eyes the view

that noble, which made you great.

The find your strength in virtue,

victory shall not be late.