A/N: This is a poem/song of lamentation that I've based upon the lament of Boromir, written by the great J.R.R Tolkien.
I traveled to China, vast and fair.
To seek a woman black of hair
"What news, oh China, of Ashi the Brave?
She tarries long, and I start to grieve!"
"We saw her riding for the tower,
To save us all from our darkest hour."
Oh Ashi, strong and bold! From the walls, I watched, to see of your return!
But you came not from the broken lands, where the earth was burnt.
I roamed to England, mighty and bold.
To seek my fortune in gold.
There I asked of the Englishmen. "What news, pray tell, of Ashi the Fair?
For I have not seen her yet, hide or hair."
"Ask us not where doth she dwell. She has not come this way.
Perhaps she sailed south on the ships, far and away."
Oh Ashi, brave and true. I wait on the docks for you!
But you came not from the southern shores, from the mist and dew.
I came to Rome, where the grief ran strong.
And the bells, the iron bells, tolled cold and long.
I asked the sons of Mars, "I seek the one they call Ashi the Bold,
She had come this way, or so I was told!"
"Oh, stranger have you not heard? She fell at Kyoto fair.
Her father's evil reign undone, she is no more, I fear!"
Oh Ashi, Ashi, fair and good. I weep for you by the tree.
Forever shall I turn my gaze northward, and pray you wait for me.