Rhyming Couplets
A COLLECTION OF ARTHUR'S POETRY
OLD AND NEW
RALLYING SONG
My name is Arthur, I am he, once and future born to be
Celtic Chieftain, Knight of old, I am the story as was foretold.
Loyal Knights must come to me, bowing to their destiny.
Each of them a worthy knight, standing for what's just and right.
A code of chivalry follow we must, to speak the truth, be honourable and just.
Where're we find them we'll right wrong, for this must always be our song.
The cauldron and the cross unite, Christian and Pagan join our fight.
Reunite the Celtic creed, in its time of greatest need.
Long ago it was foretold, of our return as knights of old.
We as one shall rise and fight, the Celtic peoples to unite.
Celtic minstrels rise and sing, now's the time of the future King.
The time is now, we wait no more, for Arthur's back and will restore.
Arrived from Avalon, eighty seven,
Arthur Pendragon, June eleven.
There was once a Warrior Chieftain, Arthur son of Uther Pendragon. Around him he gathered his champions, great Knights all.
He and his Knights with the table round fellowship, gave to the nation A code of honour and chivalry to live by.
Eventually however, and in the fullness of time, he and his Knights were taken from this life, swearing to return when needed most.
And it came to pass, that Arthur and his Knights did indeed Did return as was prophesied.
Round table Knights gathered from far and near, coming together from the year of Our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and eighty six.
The nation was seen to be in great need, honour and chivalry where outdated, and the time was right for their return.
He and his Knights were destined to return, not as ghosts on phantom steeds, but as Bikers on iron ones.
Under a dragons head standard they would rally, ready to help the nation, in it's time of greatest need.
Right from wrong they returned to redress, living by their ancient Code of honour and chivalry.
Inspired by their deeds of yesteryear, they renewed their brotherhood, to continue along their destined path.
And as the momentum gathered, they would gain in number, growing from strength to strength.
Nomadically they would wander, gathering unto themselves true Knights reading themselves for the final quest.
Long ago they walked this Earth,
Eventually they were taken, promising to return.
Gradually all they had worked for faded.
Even now, with the nation in need, all is not lost.
Now they have returned to right wrongs.
Destiny and higher destiny may now be served.
King Arthur Pendragon
DAWNING
Mighty sage, Sayer of Sooths
Enlighten us and speed our hooves
Reunited we are Knights of old
Living now, as you foretold.
In leathers and jeans we are reborn
Now's your time, a brave new dawn.
And now's the time of the future King
Round table Knights sit in a ring
The time is here, the day's at hand
Honour and chivalry walk this land.
Uther's son he is reborn
Righting wrongs, a brave new dawn.
Arthur Pendragon '86
ARTHUR'S PLEDGE
My name is Arthur Pendragon
A nomadic Biker am I.
I've lead the pack, I've had a crack,
But I've never had to lie.
I believe in Truth, Honour and Justice,
"My word's my bond" I say.
I'll always keep it if I can,
I trust I always may.
For Honour and Truth, I'll do or die,
A code of chivalry I'll follow.
To speak the Truth, be Honourable and Just.
These things I'll do. I swear to you.
A promise that's not hollow.
Arthur Pendragon '87
THE BIKER CHIEFTAIN
There is a biker chieftain, who rides a Triumph chop,
He always rides free and easy, and knows just when to stop.
His name is Arthur Pendragon, he drives a transit van,
And tows behind his home, in the shape of a caravan.
When he arrives where he's going, he wheels his bike on out,
He runs alone, or with the pack, he knows what its all about.
Some say he's reincarnated, a Celtic King of old,
But what ever he is, and wherever he's from, there are many tales to be told.
If you meet him you're sure of a welcome, he's social and friendly too,
So if it's partying you're after, then he knows just what to do.
But if you should be in trouble, and your cause it should be just,
He'll help you all he can, so seek him if you must.
Arthur Pendragon '87
THE WARBAND
Arthur Pendragon has returned,
Through the centuries he has learned.
The biker is the modern Knight
Leather clad with chrome and bright.
Painted motorcycles, hogs and chops
Ton-up kids and wheelie pops.
Arthur's Triumph has replaced,
But on his horse, his steed is based.
Reincarnated Kings and Knights,
The Warbands back with chops and trikes.
Biker Chieftains, Warriors all,
Re-born now to answer the call.
The Celtic nation to unite.
The Arthurian Warband joins the fight.
Arthur Pendragon (mcmlxxxvi)
THE BATTLE CRY
Ages past, shrouded in mist, I lived a life before death kissed.
Honour and Chivalry and Truth held high, for a fleeting moment under a battle cry.
The darkness held and all was well, but all that crumbled as tolled the bell
For me to part from upon this Earth, and to await on my rebirth.
That bleak and bloody day I die, was such a long , long time gone by.
My friends and knights, brothers all, have waited long to answer the call.
Each of them swore, as did I, to answer the call of the battle cry.
Now we've returned to right the wrong, darkness has reigned for far too long.
Names of old familiar to all, will all respond and answer the call.
Gawaine and Gareth, Kings Ban and Lot, and many more you've not forgot.
Knights of old, warriors all, will come as one when answering the call.
For long we've slept, now we awake, to right the wrong for the nations sake.
Responding to the ancient battle cry,
for Truth and Honour, to do or die.
Arthur Pendragon (mcmlxxxvii)
THE STRANGEST TALE
Long ago, times gone past, a fleeting moment that couldn't last.
King Arthur and the Knights of Old, Lords and Ladies brave and bold.
Many tales of bravery fair, a tribal Chieftain, the Cornish Bear.
A Welsh Wizard at his side, imprisoned now his time to bide.
Merlin, Arthur, Lancelot too, fairy tale names to me and you.
But the strangest tale of them must be, that they've returned for you to see,
For Arthur and his host of Knights, have been returned like shinning lights.
Now they walk upon this land, honour and chivalry hand in hand.
They say that fiction's not as strange as fact, and all his Knights have made a pact,
To help the helpless, feeble and needy, to hinder only the evil and greedy.
If you should happen on a Warband Knight, don't think bad and don't take flight,
Brothers they are, just and fair, and in this land we can share.
But if in need you find yourself, of justice, or just in poor health,
A sympathetic ear you'll find, and help if needed, for they are kind.
Arthur Pendragon (mcmlxxxviii)
THE SWORD
The sword Excalibur has been re-forged
But no Saxon has it gorged.
Arthur has it as before,
But no Pagan should it gore.
For now it is used to cleanse and heal,
Oaths and pledges it will seal.
Excalibur's back in Arthur's hand
To purge and cleanse our own fair land.
The sword of kings is his to wield,
And before it, all his knights have kneeled.
To speak the Truth, be Honourable and Just,
By Excalibur they've sworn, so now they must.
Be as all good knights should be,
And protect you and protect me.
THE SCABBARD
Hexes, crosses, amulets and charms
To ward off evil and keep from harms.
All these and more with magic and spell
Were put on, in and under, who can tell.
How many lie beneath the cover
Of the scabbard made by a lover.
Twenty one outside may be seen
Many more inside when new and clean.
Covered over in Black then red
But drawn out right and the ritual said.
So now the scabbard holds the brand
Which has pride of place in Arthur's hand.
Blood was shed when it was made,
Now it covers Arthur's blade.
Excalibur, the mighty sword
In the scabbard now is stored.
Arthur Pendragon (mcmlxxxvi)
AVALON '88
Twelve months ago, that's thirteen moon
I came to Avalon to crave a boon
Now I've returned thankful and glad
To have found the sword, in scabbard clad.
A medium sent me on this quest
To seek out Merlin and trust him lest.
I be sorry and rue the day
I listened not to what he'd say.
So thank you Avalon for assisting me
And releasing Merlin for me to see
High Priestess of Avalon, I bow to you
Please help and show me what to do.
Merlin's advice is what I seek
To your heart, this wish it keep
Aid me now, the time's at hand
For Arthur and Merlin to walk this land.
High Priestess of Avalon, I know you can,
For I am only mortal man
Help me find Merlin Sage of old
Then we as one , as was foretold.
Returned to Avalon '88
Arthur Pendragon on Merlin to wait.
ODE TO MERLIN
England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales
And lesser Britain tell the tales
Of Arthur and the Knights of old
Of Merlin and Nimue we are told.
They fell in love and he was trapped
But why? and where was never mapped
If we could find his prison tree
We could fell it and he'd be free
If we could find his prison rock,
We would smash it and break the lock.
If only we could set him free,
But who knows, what it will be.
Arthur Pendragon (mcmlxxxvi)
GLASTONBURY
To Glastonbury, free Avalonian state,
Came Arthur Pendragon in eighty eight.
He sat upon the Tor so high
And looked down at Glastonbury from the sky.
He'd settle here, rest awhile,
Waiting for Merlin, he thought with a smile.
He'd gather Knights, a table make,
Out of their shields for a keepsake.
Each knight would carry his own shield
A part of the table never to yield.
Then on to Cornwall he would go,
And Wales as well, the folk to show
That he was back to re-unite
The Celtic nation in its plight.
Arrived in Avalon eighty eight,
Arthur Pendragon on Merlin to wait.
WHAT'S IN A NAME
What's in a name I ask myself, but in truth the answer's there.
To give a name, to give a soul, a name we all must wear.
If labels make us comfortable, and pigeon holes are used,
Let's get it right and shed some light on a strange group that's been fused.
From bikers and from others, Celtic Knights they be,
Not gypsies or the convoy, nor hippies, plain to see.
They are the Arthurian Warband, brothers one and all,
To give them any other name would be to falsely call.
They are both Christians and Pagans, and believe themselves to be
Reincarnated Knights of old, The Warband to you and me.
Arthur Pendragon (mcmlxxxviii)
A KNIGHT'S OATH
By fire and water, earth and air,
And all I deem holy, I solemnly swear.
By mighty Excalibur the mystic sword,
And Arthur Pendragon the Celtic Lord.
To speak the truth, be honourable and just,
This I swear and keep I must.
Old ones, spirits from the past,
Witness this oath, and guard it fast.
By the moon so full, by the Druid tree,
By my word so mote it be.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF
THE STONEHENGE PICKET
Waking, Watchful and Wet,
Rolling from Hammock slung betwixt standing
and uprooted Tree
Pushing skyward, billowing Water cascades
from shelter roof.
Crawling from hole in ground into dawn
Shackling Sword and Cloak, breaking fast on
Stale Bread and rain water
ready for battle
Leaving Woodland, National Trust, Can the Nation
Not yet trust him?
Battling With English Heritage, is he not then English
and is not this temple his heritage?
"Don't Pay, Walk away" his battle cry
to bemused tourists.
The Tourists are good to him, they provide sustenance
Food and Drink.
There is No Victor or Vanquished, on Enlightenment.
At the End of the day, King Arthur and Excalibur
return to shelter in Wood
King Arthur Pendragon '90
THE NINE
Celtic Cross, Celtic Sword
First and Third, Moon accord,
Dragon Centre, Network end.
Sun and Pentagram, one ring's blend
*
Nine are the Symbols, on the one ring
Nine are the powers of which we do Sing
One is the ring that encompasses Nine
A Circlet of power, in a continuous line.
*
One ring to Summon, Stir and Call them all,
One ring to find them
One Ring to serve and rule.
And at this hour bind them
King Arthur Pendragon '97
Druid Unity at Stonehenge
For The Year 2000
A SATIRE
Philip will be making money in the Top field
Whilst Tim will be losing it on the Cricket field
ALTERNATIVELY
Phil & Emma will be doing endless Rites of Passage
in the Bottom Field
Whilst Arthur will be Knighting Dogs and Drunks
on the Battle Field
Rollo as usual will be playing leap-frog
over the Mine Field
*
Any resemblance to Characters either Factual of Fictional is purely coincidental
Where appropriate names have been changed to protect the innocent
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