Missive: To my Lady Amera in her doughty Castle under Siege,
Thou hast wall’d me out with wood and stony hold,
Pour’d forth heav’n’s waters for thy deep’ning moat,
Caparison’d thy walls with archers bold,
Rais’d up thy gates at cornet’s martial note;
Whilst I, for anguisht love, have strewn my tents
Upon green sward, not willed my bowmen draw,
Nor catapults against thy ramparts sent,
Nor flames to force thy icéd soul to thaw;
But soon thy walls, thy stones must fall to me,
For I have right and law anent thy heart;
Forepromised, then foresworn, now thou wouldst flee
And sooner bear Sword’s edge than Love’s sweet Dart:
I send for thee a Charger; no poor hack
Shall bear thee hence when Passion’s arms attack.
Author notes
Shakespearean sonnet, reproducing Renaissance diction and metrics.
A contest entry
- Medieval Contest! by alexandrathegreat.
1200 points, ended November 22, 2007, 7 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - # 37 Open to Allpoetry: Petrarchan; Shakespearian and Spenserian Sonnets by Lyndon.
1750 points, ended February 6, 2008, 12 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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This poem is most surely Renaissance in linguistics and poetics.
The poet is after your heart, Amera: "anent thy heart". This is his chief concern!
Do look at this ~ "when Passion’s ..." => "whence ..."?
[In the army, I played the cornet! But not in this ornamental army draped over castle walls.
]
The metaphor implied by the title informs the poem and all images are subservient to this figure.
Well done, noble Knight.
Lyndon of the Winklings.
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Thank you for a most empathetic reading. Much appreciated.
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This is quite a martial metaphor! Well executed Shakespearean form. Thank you for entering this sonnet.
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Wow, I just love everything about this piece!
This is my favorite poem I have read today. I love to read Olde English. This is just an extraordinary dedication to Amera. I can't express in words how much I just was floored by this. Bravo!!!!!!
Knight70
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Many thanks. It's enjoyable to think in another idiom...and fascinating to see how the slightly differing rhythms, sounds, and syntax of Middle English effect what we write. Makes me appreciate the 15th and 16th century writers even more.
Your comments and enthusiasm much appreciated...especially today, when I needed a lift.
Micol
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ahh, you know Alex (Nutter) as well as Amera, two of my very favorites.
and as always very well written ofg course, loved the whole story but especially;
Whilst I, for anguisht love, have strewn my tents
Upon green sward, not willed my bowmen draw,
Nor catapults against thy ramparts sent,
Nor flames to force thy icéd soul to thaw
why, because it proves you have a touch of the romantic in you like me.
but, just a touch
very nicely done
len
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I thought this reminded me more of a Shakesperian sonnet than I have read in a while. It has an edgy mystery to it that I often find in his work, Amera should be very happy that you dedicated such a beautiful piece to her. Thank you so much for entering and your patience in judging. I hope to read more of you.
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Out the stories, when posture and form were the only course and walls were more prominent to the eye, you bring us the way that passion still ran a sharp course over all obstacles in its way. Most impressive. Quite a delight. may she be equally thrilled.
Peace & Light
Tom B.
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A brilliant piece ...
You're the knight of the 'Woefull Countenance' with Merlin's pen. What a wonderful use of your gifts. Thanks for creating this. Warm Regards, Sultan
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There's only one word to sum up this poem --- amazing!
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Bravo!
I can't believe this! You are fantastic! I was beginning to think I was the only one around to use old English. Not only did you uas old language but you did it in a perfect sonnet and it answered my poem. I am so honored! I'm putting this in my treasure room. I love it!
Thank you!
Love,
Amera♥
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Nay, nay, milady, the honor falls to me, to be so immured in milady's treasure-cabinet.
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