~The Peasant Maiden's Ballad~
I'll never cry, she told herself
I am the stronger one.
Not when it comes to war and wealth,
But when all's said and done.
I'll never die, he said one day
For certainly I'm strongest.
I get my tithes and then my way,
I'll surely last the longest.
And so they lived, two separate lives
One peasant and one prince.
Without a glance the other's way,
With neither nod, nor wince.
But then one evening, over stew
The prince screeched, blind with rage.
He would not rest 'till all lands knew
The glory of his age.
"I'll shout my greatness, far and wide
For all kingdoms must know.
I'm am their ruler, power rides
Right through my very bones."
So messengers rode off next morn,
To spread the royal lies.
They hid the prince's pride and scorn
And only told what met the eye.
"He's handsome and he's rich!" they said.
"His power never ceases!"
They spoke of honey with his bread,
But buried truth in creases.
During one of these quite grand parades
Along an unpaved road,
Who should appear, but our young maid,
Who nearly lost her market load.
"He must be wonderful," she sighed
And stared in silent awe.
Towards messengers who smiled and lied,
Deceived by what she saw.
That eve she traveled homeward,
Her thoughts only on his grace.
Ideas whirling solely towards,
A plan to see his face.
Not too long after, our dear friend
Found sleep beyond her grasp.
She waited long for musing's end,
But thoughts of him forbid to lapse.
A league from there, the mighty royal
Paced back and forth his study.
He fought his own mind, brimming toil
His chiseled features, ruddy.
For some began to doubt his might
And all the tales and dreams.
For how could one as strong and right
Still fail to find a queen?
Upon the rising of the sun,
New messengers rode west,
Not to bring the news of one,
But beauty as their quest.
Highborn maidens traveled far,
To court the noble heir,
But each and every one, so far
Was simply "plain" or "fair"
The peasant girl had her chance, then
During galas through the town,
A daisy tucked behind one ear,
Clean linen for her gown.
But at the feet of her true love,
Humility was found.
He laughed and pushed her from above
And tears soon wet the ground.
Ringing sobs, relentless cries
Across soft cheeks and hair.
Tears flowing from twin amber eyes,
Now giving in to her despair.
A lesson now I leave you,
If you ever dream of love,
Be sure your heart has sought the truth,
Before it lifts on wings of doves.
I'll never cry, she told herself
I am the stronger one.
Not when it comes to war and wealth,
But when all's said and done.
I'll never die, he said one day
For certainly I'm strongest.
I get my tithes and then my way,
I'll surely last the longest.
And so they lived, two separate lives
One peasant and one prince.
Without a glance the other's way,
With neither nod, nor wince.
But then one evening, over stew
The prince screeched, blind with rage.
He would not rest 'till all lands knew
The glory of his age.
"I'll shout my greatness, far and wide
For all kingdoms must know.
I'm am their ruler, power rides
Right through my very bones."
So messengers rode off next morn,
To spread the royal lies.
They hid the prince's pride and scorn
And only told what met the eye.
"He's handsome and he's rich!" they said.
"His power never ceases!"
They spoke of honey with his bread,
But buried truth in creases.
During one of these quite grand parades
Along an unpaved road,
Who should appear, but our young maid,
Who nearly lost her market load.
"He must be wonderful," she sighed
And stared in silent awe.
Towards messengers who smiled and lied,
Deceived by what she saw.
That eve she traveled homeward,
Her thoughts only on his grace.
Ideas whirling solely towards,
A plan to see his face.
Not too long after, our dear friend
Found sleep beyond her grasp.
She waited long for musing's end,
But thoughts of him forbid to lapse.
A league from there, the mighty royal
Paced back and forth his study.
He fought his own mind, brimming toil
His chiseled features, ruddy.
For some began to doubt his might
And all the tales and dreams.
For how could one as strong and right
Still fail to find a queen?
Upon the rising of the sun,
New messengers rode west,
Not to bring the news of one,
But beauty as their quest.
Highborn maidens traveled far,
To court the noble heir,
But each and every one, so far
Was simply "plain" or "fair"
The peasant girl had her chance, then
During galas through the town,
A daisy tucked behind one ear,
Clean linen for her gown.
But at the feet of her true love,
Humility was found.
He laughed and pushed her from above
And tears soon wet the ground.
Ringing sobs, relentless cries
Across soft cheeks and hair.
Tears flowing from twin amber eyes,
Now giving in to her despair.
A lesson now I leave you,
If you ever dream of love,
Be sure your heart has sought the truth,
Before it lifts on wings of doves.