(The Traveller's Tale)

We felt the ground beneath us shudder,

enough to turn milk into butter,

and to my wife I softly uttered

God protect Sir Howard's fate,

for twenty horsemen rode like thunder,

like phantom outlaws set on plunder,

their destination came as no wonder,

it was towards the knight's estate.

We saw Prince John ride with his men,

determined now to get revenge

on good Sir Howard and his friends,

less than a mile from here.

I think they tortured him again,

for we could hear his agonizing screams of pain,

but to interfere, we all refrained,

such was our mortal fear.

Prince John has power unsurpassed

and his men would burn our farm so fast,

should anybody dare to cast

a sideways glance at him.

We like Sir Howard, I swear that's true ,

but there was nothing we could do,

for they are many whilst we are few,

they could slay us on a whim.

You'll consider us all, spineless cowards,

for refusing to defend Sir Howard,

but we are farmers, tell me, how could

we have done much good?

Prince John's men number in the hundreds,

they tear our crops and fields asunder,

we've no defence against their plunder,

we're not Robin in the hood.

Tough I have heard tales about that outlaw,

that rumour says has more than five score,

men in Sherwood, who will die for

the right to live free men,

of course it could be old wives tales I'm hearing,

so one day I ventured to the oak wood clearing,

but suddenly as I was nearing

someone called, "Stop there friend".

I stood quite still, as they commanded,

proving I was empty handed

as he leapt from a tree and landed

almost at my side,

then in a blink I was surrounded,

as from every tree and bush they bounded,

and I'll admit I was astounded

at how well these men could hide.

They led me to Robin, at the fire,

where I met Little John and a portly friar,

who's mead was every man's desire,

and a merry bunch they were.

They listened as I told my tale

of poor Sir Howard, blind and frail,

they asked me where the Prince was now,

I said I was not sure.

Well they thanked me and they sent me home,

through the green woods all alone,

using paths all but unknown,

quietly I crept.

A half days walk and nearly there,

then the smell of smoke had filled the air,

at the clearing I could only stare,

then finally I wept.

Whilst I'd been gone, Prince John's men came,

my crops and farm were set aflame,

my wife lay motionless the same

as both our little boys.

I blamed myself, of course I did,

had I not gone they might still live,

I pray somehow they can forgive,

for I believed I had no choice.

They were laid to rest beneath an oak,

that held the graves of our kinfolk,

The Lords Prayer were the words I spoke

as I laid them all to rest.

Then with tear filled eyes and heart so broken,

that no more words could yet be spoken,

I took her locket as a token,

and set off in much distress,

Back to Sherwood and safe haven,

swifter than the swiftest raven,

I vowed to find these cowards craven,

that had done this deed today.

My hatred made my pulse beat faster,

And though God be my lord and master,

I swore to him that there soon after,

I would make them pay.

By S.E.Ralph

16-4-2013