Another Man's War - Samantha Moore

he King sits upon his fair throne in his court

Hearing tales of good crops and good store

When into his bailey there rides a young page

Dismounting before the King’s door.

«Forgive me, O King, for my road-weary state

But urgently you must attend,

For I come from the kingdom that lies to your North

And our land is besieged by foul men!

Oh, lend us your swords, your shields and your strength

To stave off the breach of our walls

This foe is too great, we cannot hold long,

Make haste before our kingdom falls!"

«Your peril is clear,» the King answers the page,

«And fairly your words do implore,

But why should my countrymen suffer your fate

And ride off to die in your war?"

The King sips his wine with his steward close by

Giving word of fair weather to be

When into his hall runs a squire from the East

Who before the King falls to one knee.

«Forgive me, O King, for my road-weary state,

But urgently you must attend,

For I come from the kingdom that lies to your East

And our land is besieged by foul men!

Oh, lend us your swords, etc.

«Your peril is clear,» the King answers the squire,

«And fairly your words do implore

But why should my countrymen… etc.

The harvest is in and the King is at feast

With his Queen he begins a pavane

When into his hall limps a knight from the West

With a helmet and coat of plates on.

«Forgive me, O King, for my road-weary state,

But urgently you must attend,

For I come from the kingdom that lies to your East

And our land is besieged by foul men!

Oh, lend us your swords, etc.

«Your peril is clear,» the King answers the knight,

«And fairly your words do implore,

But why should my countrymen… etc.

The fires burn bright and the King bids his bard

Tell of deeds of the heroes of old

But the light is soon dimmed as the doors open wide

And a Duke staggers in from the cold.

«Forgive me, O King, for my road-weary state,

But urgently you must attend,

For I come from the kingdom that lies to your South

And our land is besieged by foul men!

Oh, lend us your swords, etc.

«Your peril is clear,» the King answers the Duke,

«And fairly your words do implore

But why should my countrymen… etc.

The King sits upon his fair throne once again

Under siege is his castle so grand

His crops feed his foe while his own people starve

And his enemies ravage his land.

«O King, if you’d joined with your kinsmen but once

This day might have not come to be

But your indifferent heart finds you now without friends

And lays your realm naked to me!»

Take warning all ye who like islands would stand,

For when evil is laid at your doors

A land without allies becomes a land lost

And another man’s war becomes yours.