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When I was Young and Fair (or Handsome) #152 Winklings

This is the link to the Tudor Monarch's Portrait  

  

Take note of this monarch's poem.  

  

Elizabeth I (1533-1603)

When I was Young and Fair


              When I was fair and young, and favor graced me,
              Of many was I sought their mistress for to be.
              But I did scorn them all, and said to them therefore,
              "Go, go, go, seek some otherwhere; importune me no more."

              How many weeping eyes I made to pine in woe;
              How many sighing hearts I have not skill to show,
              But I the prouder grew, and still this spake therefore:
              "Go, go, go, seek some otherwhere, importune me no more."

              Then spake fair Venus' son, that brave victorious boy,
              Saying: You dainty dame, for that you be so coy,
              I will so pluck your plumes as you shall say no more:
              "Go, go, go, seek some otherwhere, importune me no more."

             As soon as he had said, such change grew in my breast
             That neither night nor day I could take any rest.
             Wherefore I did repent that I had said before:
             "Go, go, go, seek some otherwhere, importune me no more."
 .
YOUR JOB: Write a similar poem(s) in tone, iambic hexameters (6 feet ) rhyming basically aabb for four stanzas. Do not write in pre-early modern English but rather language of this century. All are welcome.
N.B. Use the same title as the Queen has. Embarassed
Good luck. May your memories be with you!

Contest is Over

  • Contest was judged on January 23
  • Rewards: Gold: 1200, Silver: 450, Bronze: 100
  • Final notes:
    A small contest with a particular focus of interest.
    Gold: "When I was Young and Fair" #1.
    The author gave depth and feeling and a solid sonet that was technically perfect.
    9.3 points

    Silver: This poem was a little contentious but it is fluent and technically sound.
    A craftsman wrote this. 9.1 points.

    Bronze: 2nd When I was Young and Fair among the finalists. Well done, characterizing the monarch. 9.0 points.

    Congratulations to ALL participants.

    Ron with the help of his fond friend, Pamela.

Contest Winners

  1. When I Was Young and Fair
    by MargaretG 22 lines, 8 comments, on Jan 8 7:02 AM. In Contest, Thoughts
    Gold trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  2. Though I'm not young and fair
    Before I knew myself, before my hair was grey
    I did not understand that life was underway.
    by cricketjeff 25 lines, 9 comments, on Dec 29 10:41 AM 2008. In Life, Thoughts
    Silver trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  3. When I was Young and Fair
    When I was young and fair, I lacked the wit to know
    that love would serve me better if I wished to grow
    by Bad Bill 18 lines, 7 comments, on Dec 29 11:39 AM 2008. In Thoughts, Contest
    Bronze trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]

Entries [5]

1 - 5 of 5

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Comments

1 - 6 of 6
  • zorman32
    December 29, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Looks to me like the syllable count is:

    6,6
    6,6
    6,6
    8,6

    or?


    • Lyndon gold member
      December 30, 2008
      Edit | Reply

      Actually, if you are counting syllables

      and not metrical feet, the syllabic count is basically 12, 12, 12, 14 for each stanza.

      • zorman32
        December 30, 2008
        Edit | Reply
        Right, it adds up the same...I'm no scholar of English, and have no clue what a metric count is in poetry. Thanks.


  • MargaretG
    January 21
    Edit | Reply
    Closed for judging on January 12 - please do not forget this contest!

  • MargaretG
    January 24
    Edit | Reply
    Thank you to the judges and congratulations to my competitors Jeff and Bill. I enjoyed writing for this contest, thank you for the challenge of this interesting form.

1 - 6 of 6