The Lay of Mount Petite Jean

Canto VI: Joining the Crew.

Read in Landscape

Now down to port the maiden's sent
On down to place where lover went.
Possessing well this cunning ploy
To join his crew as cabin boy.

In hopes that plan might save his life
And put at ease her troubled strife.
This slightest fear did linger deep
At prospect found to leave the keep

Of France's land where family lived
And joys by nature's bounty's give
That's filled with forest deep and wide
To serve as countrymen's own pride.

But greater joy her heart now bore
At chance to serve her love onboard
The ship he takes across the sea
As king of France his Lord did heed.

Thus being close to handsome prince
She found that day in forest dense
And gain the chance to guard him well
From dangers found and waves that swell.

So quick again on horse she flies
Across the path that's same she rides.
As fast as ever 'fore she rode
Her quest along with love now goads.

And swift she reaches city walls
That stretch before the maiden tall
She ties her horse and pays her fare
That city streets the maid might dare.

Through gates of port again she goes
On down to ship of love she strode.
Without and idle moment spent
Again, with single mind she went

To find her love and join his crew
That all by man was slowly grew.
On cobble streets the maiden walks
By throngs who shout and yell to talk.

Through many merchants' stalls she marched
Ignoring ships with wooden arch.
And wove her way on down to man
Whose crew she'll join so maiden planned.

Then finally peasant came to ship
The end of maiden's longing trip.
To show herself to lover found
By oath whose surely honor bound

To sail the seas and stake a claim
Thus winning country gold and fame.
To join his crew was maiden's plan
In hope her presence aids the man.

She'll speak her mind as voice she feigns
In hopes that entrance fair she gains
While wearing guise of cabin boy
To trick the man her cunning ploy.

In front of boat he current stands
Again on crate he makes his plans,
And maiden's heart does jump in throat
To see her love beside the boat.

Herself she longs to quick reveal
But maid aboard the ship must steal
And love would surely force his way
To make the maiden backwards stay

In France's land to keep her safe
While love alone did brave the wraiths,
And dangers found on highest seas
For care ignoring maiden's pleas.

So peasant held her tongue then fast
In hopes that silence helped her task.
Though loving man with all her heart
She stilled herself to play her part.

To nobleman the maid now went
Her faith was bold by fate she's sent
To talk to noble joining ship
That maid might stow away on trip.

"I've come to join the voyage found
That quick to newer world I'm bound.
Though body's small and very weak
This greatest venture man does seek.

That boy might make his fabled mark
By filling role of sailor's part.
That glory great my name may hold
When men do sing of crewmen bold.

Though voyage's great with dreadful dangers filled,
And crew does lack yet many sailors skilled
For fear that death this journey long will wreak
Has made them timid showing hearts as meek.

Still glory great I wish to hold
By taking journey great and bold."

For long the man does stare at maiden's face
With glare that causes peasant's heart to race.
In fear that noble found the truth so fast
And plans of maid aside are quickly cast.