Bardic Arts

Children's Inspiration

Colin MacLear
October Crown, AS XXXV (2000)

Children come to tourney with hearts open wide
To view chivalry, valor displayed side by side
Knowing nothing of politics, rank, or degree
Inspired by the knights that they see

And a child knows no knight by the armor he wears
Nor his spurs, nor the chain of the burdens he bears
Nor the hue of his belt, aye, betimes that misleads
A child knows a knight by his deeds

With the power of legends their minds are awhirl
Of Lancelot, Roland, Huntingdon’s Earl
William the Marshall, Richard of the Lea
Their heroes we can, each of us, be

For a child knows no knight by the armor he wears
Nor his spurs, nor the chain of the burdens he bears
Nor the hue of his belt, aye betimes that misleads
A child knows a knight by his deeds

Salute then your consort, your foe, and the crown
With bravery and honor, win highest renown
Be you peer of the realm, be you newly made squire
Yours is the power to inspire

For a child knows no knight by the armor he wears
Nor his spurs, nor the chain of the burdens he bears
Nor the hue of his belt, aye betimes that misleads
A child knows a knight by his deeds

This is from Colin's CD and accompanying booklet "Bardic Fire", which contains pieces that Colin created and performed during his tenure as Bard of the West.

The West Kingdom History Website was created by and is maintained by Hirsch von Henford (mka Ken Mayer).