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The Red Prince’s Banquet
- The Red Prince’s Banquet-
Based on a dream I had on June 10, 2010
Part One: Blood at the Banquet
In dream was I, and walking thus in memories of lifetimes past,
Until in a castle of marble stone, with pillars high and serpentine…
I found myself, a prince of old in finery of the times thusly clad.
Before a table in the great hall, set for a banquet that would last,
The better part of the day it seemed, a day perfect and pristine…
For I was to be wed: and so not one person gathered was sad.
Only one of all my guests did dare insult me with wicked words,
I had a mind to deal with the fool, and I had a skill with swords!
Thereon the hour of my mirth, the fool dared mutter treason dire,
And so I took him by the neck, my eyes ablaze with terrible fire.
Unto the stone floor I hurled the traitor with all my anger’s force,
Then, into his baleful eyes I did thrust needles sharp, and worse…
I twisted them with a hateful malice until the man lived not more.
I slew the fool upon the black and white tiles of the castle floor,
Bidding the servants to hurl him into the fell moat: a traitor’s fate…
And so his bones therein to rot, with the fish and vermin to sate!
The merriment of my day was come, and passing went the hour,
Whilst the servants spoke of me as if I were some darker power!
At the banquet table I sat, with the nobility gathered to celebrate.
Then to my bride I turned my gaze, with passion not to hesitate…
Before the childlike beauty of the princess fair, her face like ivory,
Her eyes blue as azure in the sun, her lips so like the scarlet ruby.
Clothed in a gown of crimson linen, with a hood drawn back far,
The princess did listen as I spoke of love, faith, politics, and war.
Part Two: The Time-Lost Tower
Over to a balcony we walked, the princess’ hand firmly in mine,
And there we sat beneath curtain of white and red silk up drawn.
Her golden hair was radiant in the fading light of the afternoon…
And as we whispered tender things, I felt a peace utterly sublime,
That drew my contented gaze out over the old land’s grassy lawn.
Past tall pines and rugged mountains with snow white as the moon,
I felt lost to time, and it seemed as if my bliss would not ever end,
My every ill had found in my princess its’ cure, so content to mend.
I turned my gaze back to my guests, and there a shadow did I spy,
Moving amongst them unseen by all, with my own features worn…
And so I moved to give it chase, and ventured on up a tower high,
Into a room unused in long years, where old pacts were once born.
Upon the walls were crimson banners, with black dragons thereon,
A cross transfixing them like a stake through a vampire’s vile breast!
Some banners bore the cabalistic tree of life, as bright as day’s sun,
Whilst others bore a black serpent swallowing it’s tail with dire zest.
Knightly armor shone in the gloom of the chamber, and on a red rug,
A black pentagram was thereon stitched, the witch’s art of my kin…
I looked about and the shadow had gone out unto a nearby balcony.
And so I followed it until I stood in its’ place; we merged with a hug,
Whereon I was reminded of my family’s every lost and hidden sin…
And I began to feel so alone, longing for my beloved’s fair company.
Suddenly, she was there behind me, her arms lovingly at my waist…
Pushing me off the balcony’s edge, and jumping herself with all haste.
Part Three: A Rude Awakening
With horror, I felt wings burst forth from out my back with fiery pain,
And I soared above the terrible moat, towards a nearby grassy plain.
Fallen angel, exiled of Heaven and cast out cruelly by my fellow man,
I searched for my beloved who fell with me, so willing to be damned.
But there was no solace to be had, for she was not anywhere in sight,
And fleeting was the hour to come, as soon would fall a darkest night!
Soon, unto a place I reached where ruins dotted the ancient ground…
Where children played, they of every era: known to wise men around.
I called out “Little Red, my love!” but naught of she did my eyes meet,
And the children laughed telling me that none by that name there dwelt.
In desperation I searched for her amongst them, as tired grew my feet,
But she was not thus to be counted, and I cursed the hand I was dealt.
At last I called out a name I remembered of old, dreading giving it air…
But not one choice was left to me, and for myself I no longer did care.
“Lucy, is that your name, my love?” I asked, as black became clouds,
And thunder rumbled angrily from on high, as fear gripped the crowds.
The multitude of children became shadows, black and twisted wraiths,
Whilst lightning flashed and rain poured, gone was any daylight’s grace!
And so a girl in whitest linen with a hood drawn back from hair of gold,
Stepped forth with eyes of emerald fire and lips as ruby red as blood…
No longer the woman I had loved, she was a child of twelve years old,
Changed by my speaking her name: she seemed to glory in the flood.
As down poured the rain to soak the land, she beckoned me to follow,
And in a mist I was lost, finally to awaken from dream on the morrow.
Based on a dream I had on June 10, 2010
Part One: Blood at the Banquet
In dream was I, and walking thus in memories of lifetimes past,
Until in a castle of marble stone, with pillars high and serpentine…
I found myself, a prince of old in finery of the times thusly clad.
Before a table in the great hall, set for a banquet that would last,
The better part of the day it seemed, a day perfect and pristine…
For I was to be wed: and so not one person gathered was sad.
Only one of all my guests did dare insult me with wicked words,
I had a mind to deal with the fool, and I had a skill with swords!
Thereon the hour of my mirth, the fool dared mutter treason dire,
And so I took him by the neck, my eyes ablaze with terrible fire.
Unto the stone floor I hurled the traitor with all my anger’s force,
Then, into his baleful eyes I did thrust needles sharp, and worse…
I twisted them with a hateful malice until the man lived not more.
I slew the fool upon the black and white tiles of the castle floor,
Bidding the servants to hurl him into the fell moat: a traitor’s fate…
And so his bones therein to rot, with the fish and vermin to sate!
The merriment of my day was come, and passing went the hour,
Whilst the servants spoke of me as if I were some darker power!
At the banquet table I sat, with the nobility gathered to celebrate.
Then to my bride I turned my gaze, with passion not to hesitate…
Before the childlike beauty of the princess fair, her face like ivory,
Her eyes blue as azure in the sun, her lips so like the scarlet ruby.
Clothed in a gown of crimson linen, with a hood drawn back far,
The princess did listen as I spoke of love, faith, politics, and war.
Part Two: The Time-Lost Tower
Over to a balcony we walked, the princess’ hand firmly in mine,
And there we sat beneath curtain of white and red silk up drawn.
Her golden hair was radiant in the fading light of the afternoon…
And as we whispered tender things, I felt a peace utterly sublime,
That drew my contented gaze out over the old land’s grassy lawn.
Past tall pines and rugged mountains with snow white as the moon,
I felt lost to time, and it seemed as if my bliss would not ever end,
My every ill had found in my princess its’ cure, so content to mend.
I turned my gaze back to my guests, and there a shadow did I spy,
Moving amongst them unseen by all, with my own features worn…
And so I moved to give it chase, and ventured on up a tower high,
Into a room unused in long years, where old pacts were once born.
Upon the walls were crimson banners, with black dragons thereon,
A cross transfixing them like a stake through a vampire’s vile breast!
Some banners bore the cabalistic tree of life, as bright as day’s sun,
Whilst others bore a black serpent swallowing it’s tail with dire zest.
Knightly armor shone in the gloom of the chamber, and on a red rug,
A black pentagram was thereon stitched, the witch’s art of my kin…
I looked about and the shadow had gone out unto a nearby balcony.
And so I followed it until I stood in its’ place; we merged with a hug,
Whereon I was reminded of my family’s every lost and hidden sin…
And I began to feel so alone, longing for my beloved’s fair company.
Suddenly, she was there behind me, her arms lovingly at my waist…
Pushing me off the balcony’s edge, and jumping herself with all haste.
Part Three: A Rude Awakening
With horror, I felt wings burst forth from out my back with fiery pain,
And I soared above the terrible moat, towards a nearby grassy plain.
Fallen angel, exiled of Heaven and cast out cruelly by my fellow man,
I searched for my beloved who fell with me, so willing to be damned.
But there was no solace to be had, for she was not anywhere in sight,
And fleeting was the hour to come, as soon would fall a darkest night!
Soon, unto a place I reached where ruins dotted the ancient ground…
Where children played, they of every era: known to wise men around.
I called out “Little Red, my love!” but naught of she did my eyes meet,
And the children laughed telling me that none by that name there dwelt.
In desperation I searched for her amongst them, as tired grew my feet,
But she was not thus to be counted, and I cursed the hand I was dealt.
At last I called out a name I remembered of old, dreading giving it air…
But not one choice was left to me, and for myself I no longer did care.
“Lucy, is that your name, my love?” I asked, as black became clouds,
And thunder rumbled angrily from on high, as fear gripped the crowds.
The multitude of children became shadows, black and twisted wraiths,
Whilst lightning flashed and rain poured, gone was any daylight’s grace!
And so a girl in whitest linen with a hood drawn back from hair of gold,
Stepped forth with eyes of emerald fire and lips as ruby red as blood…
No longer the woman I had loved, she was a child of twelve years old,
Changed by my speaking her name: she seemed to glory in the flood.
As down poured the rain to soak the land, she beckoned me to follow,
And in a mist I was lost, finally to awaken from dream on the morrow.
Published 23rd Oct 2011
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