Part V
The riders arrived at midday,
and found the duel already underway,
for neither the knights nor guards could sway
Sir Leoline from the thrill of sword
and the promise of Roland's reward
of friendship long missed
for doing a favor such as this.
James had volunteered to fight
on behalf of the other knights,
as he was their leader and would not ask
the rest to perform such a task,
fighting an elderly, wizened man
who thinks, despite his age, he can
perform the same deeds of his youth
when that is no longer the truth.
The shield was gripped, the sword was grasped,
while a humble harp was clasped
between the arm and fingers old
of Bard Bracy, who felt more cold
than should be felt the month before May.
Once they dismounted, he started to play.
Christabel knew the saintly hymn,
and started singing along with him,
and both in their hearts continued to pray:
"Let evil not win on this day!"
As the music and the words
flew, as if on wings of birds,
a change came over Geraldine.
She could not hear names so divine
invoked against her. Down she fell,
convulsing under counterspell.
Sir Leoline took notice then,
called out "Respite!" once, and again.
The duelers sheathed their swords to see
what now ailed the pale Lady.
The new arrivals came in their sight:
"'Tis Christabel!" cried out the Knight
his tone infused with hope's delight.
"Treachery!" cried Sir Leoline.
"What does this transgression mean?
Why came you here? At whose behest?
Whose idea was this cruel quest?"
Christabel then broke her song,
but said, "Bard Bracy, play along!
Keep her at bay, and I will try
to tell my father the reason why
we had to risk his wrath to show
the truth of what you and I know."
James understood, to some extent,
the bard and his beloved's intent.
He called to the guards, "Don't let the wench
escape from the audience bench."
So two men helped Geraldine upright,
though she seemed to weak to put up a fight.
Christabel appeared once more:
"Father, I could not speak before—
nor James, nor his honest friends—
and I believe their story ends
the same way mine goes. This Geraldine
has not honesty like thine.
I know not whence she gets such power,
but last night, at that chilly hour,
she tempted my body, mind, and soul,
put upon me such control
that I could not tell you what I
perceived in her: a constant lie.
She is one of those sad kinds
who prey upon generous minds
and play the victim, so they can
cut off the charitable hand
extended just to give them aid.
Then the hero must be saved!"
Sir Leoline listened in astonishment,
but could not deny the effect sent
by Bracy's music on the maid:
Geraldine looked truly afraid,
and with the sound of each new beat,
she turned more pale, white as a sheet.
"Shall I call on my friend Sir Roland,
and find that we have crossed the land
only your to story disprove?
Why take advantage of such love?
Why came you here to torment us?"
Geraldine grimaced and spoke thus:
"I heard much of your character
from someone I met afar:
your own Christabel's fiancé."
Christabel cried, "What's that you say?
James, is it true?"
"To some extent,"
he answered, "but no ill intent
on our part caused our first meeting.
Every day she gave a greeting
when we rode by the manor where
she said she'd taken residence. There,
she showed us hospitality,
and made no bold entreaty,
until I told her that the war
we fought was hoped to be over.
Geraldine took up the narrative,
wanting to make known her perspective.
"I begged him to stay by my side,
but he insisted he must ride
back to his betrothed maid.
If not for you, he would have stayed!
I have no wealth or worldly power,
but I practiced every hour
ways to heal, and to entrance,
and alter my former base appearance.
My newfound beauty gave him pause,
but proved to be too little cause
to sway him from the course he'd set—
for wealth or love, I know not yet.
When he spurned me, then I swore
that he would see you nevermore.
I meant to lead your father's hand
to murder your Knight and his band,
and as for you, I'd show you signs
to draw you out from your designs
of purity put on for show.
I gave you those sweet dreams, you know!
It was no stroke of luck or fate
you found me. Your old castle gate
barred me with your mother's force.
So I sent you, in due course,
dreams of your beloved Knight
to haunt you and drive you to flight.
I could not come close, until
you brought me in by your free will.
That went awry, for then they came,
but I still had my plan: the claim
of noble birth and tale of woe
convinced your father it was so."
"You witch!" the Knight found he could say,
now that the spell had given way.
"You tempted me; for that I may
have some forgiveness on this day.
But tempting the lovely Christabel,
and her father who loves her well,
and inflicting sin and shame
on each honorable name,
is unforgivable." She flared
her eyes and nostrils when he dared
to throw such hate upon her name:
she would not be done with this game.
Bard Bracy saw the threat arise,
and thought another song's reprise
might stay her hand. But he could sense
his breath short'ning, for such suspense
was not good for his elderly frame.
Once more he called on the Lord's Name:
"God give me strength for one last strain!
O Holy Spirit, take up the refrain!"
He plucked the strings a final time,
and chose wise words in holy rhyme.
The knights held Geraldine in check
with each one's sword held to her neck,
and she was forced to hear again
the Bard's praise and intercession
offered up to highest Heaven.
It was at the climax of the song
that brought the desired outcome along:
the temptress screamed groaned and writhed,
till she could bear no more, and died.
Bard Bracy's voice was now descending;
he knew that his life, too, was ending.
He closed his eyes as if to rest,
and hugged his harp against his chest.
His last note matched his heart's last beat;
then his gentle spirit left its seat.
Conclusion to Part the Fifth
Honor, loyalty, intercession
might constitute a worthwhile lesson
if such a tale was made for one.
But as it is, the tale is done.
Leoline and Christabel learned
that sometimes trust has to be earned,
not given freely as a smile,
else they made room for some vile
intruder. They buried the Bard Bracy
outside so his spirit could oversee
the safety of the Baron's land.
James soon took Christabel's hand
in marriage, and vowed to repay
the debt by naming their son: Bracy.
