The+Young+Knight's+Tale

The Young Knight’s Tale

Long ago, in a land full magic still, Lived a young knight with good and pure will. Loving and strong, yet ambitious was he Longed enough valor to last eternity. He’d battled monsters, the worst in the land. Among the people, perceived just as planned As a hero of the highest value. Already was there a golden statue In his name but something was missing Permanence in glory for he was wishing “All that is needed,” thought the young knight “Mortality conquered, then I’ll be alright.” Long long nights were spent pondering so How to conquer this last foreboding foe Finally finding himself in a rut He left with bravery from his hut A pleasant place, formerly called home And set off for purpose utterly alone Long and far he walked and suffered through pain Braving the treacherous and dark terrain It felt years had passed when the young knight saw A cave draped in moss, he stared at with awe One could do nothing but for the beauty So vivid the knight his duty Without a pause he went into the cave Drawing him in was fate, acting a knave Inside it was dark, fate running rampant The young knight felt his purpose go stagnant The keeper of the cave stepped out in sight It took the knight all not to cry out in fright The keeper was old, his voice a tight shrill His horrid looks sent through the knight, a chill ‘Come close,’ said the man. ‘I know what you seek. Your quest is not for the proud or the meek It is, in fact, one of pure and good gold Only the bright can begin to take hold Of just what immortality entails So come close, young knight, and hear the details.’ The knight was attentive and polite no doubt He made the decision to hear him out ‘Knight, the foe you seek is not what you think,’ Said the man. ‘It is not a ship to sink, Nor a fiery dragon to impale, Any idea you’ve had, when tried, will fail. So you must learn to think unlike before This task cannot compare to another chore. Placed over everything else, high above Eternity is found through nothing but love! ’ The knight was shocked, scared so he stumbled back Love? thought he, the man was surely wack For how could immortality founded be Through something so trivial as said he  The old man laughed, reading his mind, and said, ‘Life without love? Ha! You’re better off dead. Loving another, with everything had Expands your soul beyond all that is sad To lose yourself in one another Is pure bliss and not a hint of smother Of the spirit, and you’ll find it more than fine Just how easily your love transcends time That, young knight, is immortality true So, go, seek a girl who loves you for you!’ The young knight stumbled out and glanced back The cave had gone but the message intact And so the young knight mounted his horse And continued his quest right on sure course To all the villages in the kingdom To find a maiden to ensure his freedom Village upon village he scoured The search was growing worse by the hour The young knight could not say he loved any Though he was charmed and courted by many In years the poor young knight grew in despair And turned back home for his maiden so fair Arriving home the knight was defeated Angry, older, and feeling cheated He turned towards his lovely friend of youth With which he spent many nights on a roof In the years of adolescence held dear In his mind he thought of her without fear As they talked and laughed he came to realize The feeling felt when staring into her eyes All at once and he could not be more sure Nothing about his young love was a bore The love they had lasted all his life So why would he not take her for his wife? The young knight took to comfort and rest As all other foes were shown the knight’s best They married on a bright summer day With looks upon each other meant to stay The love between them surely would last And not to be dried up much too fast So that is the tale of the young brave knight And his quest to pillage all in his sight Immortality left standing erect Until wisdom showed what was perfect Truly living forever to be gained From love, outlasting all other pain The young knight and his love, loved long ago Yet their story stands proof of his bested foe

Mr. Barra: the footnotes wouldn't transfer so I've emailed you the annotated copy