The Messenger's Tale

Alice was a lady uncommonly fair,
blood-red ribbons weaved through light hair.
Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes,
her eyes clear as light, her lips as a rose.

This maiden's parents had died years before,
Their merchant ship crashed upon the shore.
Alice's uncle saw to her upbringing,
He taught her Latin, writing, and singing.

Alice grew and blossomed in her uncle's love
And was showered with gifts and praise from above
With heaven and hell she was never at odds
For the maiden was pleasing to all of the gods.

One day a knight passing through town
Caught sight of the gem of England's crown
Cupid’s well-aimed arrow pierced their souls.
“Fair maid, marry me, for my heart is yours.”

'Twas not Alice’s beauty alone that struck him
But too, the truth in her eyes, and her grin,
A smile that hinted at mischief and humor
That incited the humble Knight to love her.

Alice, struck by his fair visage and speech
Accepted his proposal as he swept her off her feet.
To her uncle’s house they retired to petition,
For Alice felt they needed his permission.

Now, Alice’s uncle was a fair sort of fellow,
Never cheated at cards, never fought or bellowed.
When he saw the joy in Alice’s eyes,
He wished them happy, prosperous lives.

The Knight’s father also approved the match
but his step-mother's love was harder to catch
a witch of the woods, the queen of hearts,
would not hesitate to rip Alice apart.

The wicked queen magick'd Alice away
Locked in a tower, she slept night and day.
The knight thought to quest for her trembling hand,
He’d cross the unknown to bring her back again.

So bereft with grief, the gods took pity
and sent Alice a dream to keep her company.
A rabbit so white, so brave, pure, and true
who promised “I will bring your love to you.”

And so the rabbit appeared before the Knight
Who found talking animals a bit of a fright.
“Follow me knight, no time will we waste,
To reach your lady we must make haste.

Please hurry, or we’ll be late, milord,
The dark tower is far, in a land unexplored.”
Through forest and mountain, river and lake,
They ran till at last they saw the rusted gate.

‘Lo, a ferocious lion guarded the door,
A man-killing beast, docile nevermore.
He feeds on fear, he feeds on pain,
But Alice’s Knight is strong and brave.

The battle took place round the edge of the tower
While Fairest Alice slept in her bower.
Man and beast, preparing to duel
‘Till the other’s life force congeals in a pool.

They orbit one another, feinting and faking
Looking for weaknesses, intimidating,
Forcing each other into missing a step,
In dizzying circles and maneuvers they crept.

Every muscle was tight on the beast’s shaggy back
The Knight was poised, ready for the attack.
The great cat lunged, the sword was flashing,
Claws sharp as blades, weapons were lashing.

The Knight plunged his blade into the lion’s side
Up to the hilt, the entire sword hides.
In the aftermath, neither foe made a sound.
Two sets of blood now stained the ground.

At last, the wind rustled the lion’s mane
Yet the life had left, the great beast tamed.
The Knight, not far from death, groaned
“Dearest Alice… our reunion must be postponed…”

With Alice struggling alone, would he survive?
To leave her: that sacrifice was much too high.
“By the gods, I am not ready to join the deceased”
And with that oath, his prayers were released.

At this, the white rabbit once more returned
The gods had seen the battle and became concerned
They gave him the power to heal the Knight.
Blessed by the gods, for life and love will he fight.

The Knight rose painlessly, and glanced aside
To see the rabbit sitting contentedly by.
He knew at once something was missing,
‘Twas Alice his lips should be kissing.

After thanking the gods for all they had done,
Our poor lovesick knight took off at a run
He wrestled open the door, dashed up the stairs,
Halted before Alice, head hung in despair.

For Alice was yet slumbering on the wide bed,
“Pale as death” he thought in his head.
Her brow furrowed for a brief heartbeat
As though someone had disturbed her deepest sleep.

The knight regarded his lady fair
And smoothed from her cheek a lock of hair
“Alice, queen of wit and of youth,
My love, awake and see the truth.”

With those words, his head slowly dipped
And pressed a soft kiss ‘pon his lady’s lips.
Her eyelids flickered, her breath inhaled,
And a rose blush graced cheeks so pale.

And when her eyes opened she beheld
The most handsome man her heart ever held.
She kissed him right back, one, two, three,
And what happened next, only gods may see.



-By Sam. Fall 2008. Rediscovered 2010.
The assignment was to write our own entry in the manner of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. This tale was told 3rd, by a messenger on his way to collect a reward for capturing a highwayman. 99%.