The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #133666   Message #3035447
Posted By: McGrath of Harlow
18-Nov-10 - 04:54 PM
Thread Name: BS: The Royal Engagement: a Sonnet
Subject: RE: BS: The Royal Engagement: a Sonnet
Here's a ballade (the rhymes are questionable at times, but with a verse structure that requires 13 words to rhyme with slave...)

The Times were hard, the times looked very grave
Little to hope for, everything to fear,
Then from his door rushed out a smiling Dave,
"A Royal Wedding will take place next year
Rejoice good people - brush aside a tear -
Forget your troubles on this happy day."
One thing at least, we were not born to wear
These chains of gold, as wealthiest of slaves.

Once more proceeds the pantomime we crave,
The transformation scene we all can share,
All play a part, ours is to cheer and wave.
The curtain rises, see the happy pair,
Charming Prince Will and Katherine the fair,
For our delight, as always is the way,
Don once again, while thousands stand and cheer,
The chains of gold, as wealthiest of slaves.

It seems to me the lady must be brave.
The precedents indeed are passing drear,
A fairy tale that fortune could not save,
An ending that was messy and unclear.
But turn your mind from that unhappy shade
A crown awaits, and hanging for you there
The chains of gold, as wealthiest of slaves.

Prince, and Princess, your situation's queer,
A life laid out from cradle to the grave.
Do what you will, you cannot choose but bear
Your chains of gold, the wealthiest of slaves.