Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PRIDE OF THE KINGS, by THOMAS WALSH


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PRIDE OF THE KINGS, by                    
First Line: Two monarchs of the cymry on a hill
Last Line: And cleft his skull, and bore the cloak away.
Alternate Author Name(s): Gill, Roderick; Strange, Garrett
Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Fights; Pride; Self-esteem; Self-respect


TWO monarchs of the Cymry on a hill
Taunted each other in the moon's clear light,
"Behold where stretch my fertile fields afar!"
Exclaimed King Nynio. "Where?" asked Peibio.
"There in the reaches of the skies!" And then
King Peibio turned and said, "Look you what flocks
Of kine and sheep are mine that graze thereon!"
"Where?" asked King Nynio. "There, the host of stars
In golden brightness with their shepherd moon!"
"They shall not graze my field!" cried Nynio.
"I say they shall!" said Peibio. With that
They drew their swords and hacked and harried there
With all their people at their backs, until
King Rhita Gawr of Wales and Ireland came
And conquered both and shaved their beards away.
Then in their anger rose the score and ten
Of Prydain's king to avenge this burning sore
Of shame on Rhita; each in turn was met
And vanquished and his beard was taken off.
Then all the kings of mountain and of plain
Came out against King Rhita's giant power;
But all were beaten, shorn and put away.
Thus waxing great King Rhita wove a cloak
Wondrous and rare of all the royal beards;
Then sent his messengers to Arthur King
Of Wales to ask his beard to deck the collar piece,
Else both his head and beard should he require.
And Arthur met him out on Snowden's Mount,
And cleft his skull, and bore the cloak away.





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