He climbs the twisting mountain path toward
the city and, arriving at its gate,
is barr'd by th'huge portcullis entry in,
and on the other side a portal swings
to open, through which comes a guard who asks:
"What bus'ness have you with our city state,
O traveller with blood to stain his sleeves?"
To which our Preacher lies as his response:
"I am the Preacher from the neighbour town
who shar'd in correspondence with a man 10
who claims to be a Chancellor herein.
And as for bloody sleeves, there was a beast
attack'd me on the road I had to slay;
a simple boar; you know the ones I speak
of, which attack whatever walks on legs."
Awaits he his response whilst pushing back
the thought of whom this blood is really from.
The guard, without a word, reenters in
the gatehouse, and our Preacher for a time
can't tell what's going on ere he returns 20
and says, beginning t'open up the gate
with th'wheel crank that's built into the wall:
"You're late two days. No matter, I shall send
a messenger to fetch the Chancellor
who'll want to meet and show ye t'ward your place."
Our Preacher enters through the city gate
and thanks the guard, who enters back indoors.
He waits about an hour in this place
before a chubby man approaches with
a smile jovial and waving hand. 30
He takes our Preacher's palm when they convene
and says: "A pleasure finally we'd meet
and much apology for making wait
this newest man who makes himself of our
contributors toward the city state
o'er which I do preside. I'm Chancellor,
and with my many duties I was caught
within a meeting when the carried note
arriv'd within mine ear that thou wert here.
And lovely meeting thee my Preacher friend; 40
I'll show thee to thy chapel where thou'lt find
that no expense was spar'd t'accommodate
thee, member of society esteem'd."
Our Preacher fakes a grin and follows him
as he begins to show him to his place
YOU ARE READING
As Ever Like the Sun & Moon at War
PoetryA troubled Pilgrim sets upon a road in search by sun and storm of paradise; a vain Pariah's banish'd from his home to render justice by the moonlit night: two individuals who share a flesh, each unalike in methods and beliefs, yet fated consequence...
