The Lay of Mount Petite Jean

Canto VIII: The Preparations

Read in Landscape

Then quickly maiden joins the crew
As time of voyage nearer drew.
Now learning skills of sailing craft
The knowledge needed 'board the raft.

But joy does maiden hold in heart
That peasant gets to play her part
Despite the toil ship requires,
And threat of voyage great and dire

She's great relieved at prospects found
To sail the seas with lover bound.
To newer world and blaze a trail
By charting course through waves that rail.

With greatest strife she labors well
Preparing ship on which she dwells.
A greater part does maiden play
Than all aboard the ship now stayed.

And many more were add to crew
As host of sailors swiftly grew.
The many men that board the ship
To risk the dangers found on trip

Were mostly sailors true and fast
The danger found on seas they grasped.
So worked they hard in role they're gave
To try avoiding early grave.

But some did slack and little trouble make
Aboard the mighty galleon wide and great.
They seldom aided others sailor's task,
And often rebel men were found to bask.

When hidden well from watchful captain's eyes
They shunned their role as crew and quickly lied.
With sloth so deep and full their greatest sin
That set about in hearts of sailing men.

And Adriene watched the ways of men on ship
How group did slack preparing selves for trip.
Then knew she well that sloth of men's like fire
That spreads so fast like flame through crew so dire.

A fear now great for self along with crew
Inside the heart of peasant maid now grew.
She knew the task they're give by king is grave
So all their effort found must sure be gave.

For slacking men on ship could lead to death,
And leave them all of any hope bereft.
So peasant waits till close to leaving time
When captain's gone and 'lone herself she finds.

Approaching men with gait that's wroth and great
To bid them work and strive like sailor's fate.

"What lazy men have boarded galleon grand,
And set in shade while others work and stand.
I bid you rise and heed the words I speak
That men should strive instead of looking weak.

And help your fellows ready ship for cruise
Before a time when need your egos bruise.
For seldom men will ever challenge meet
If never striving hard to practice feat.

Prepare for danger during time secure
Or down to depths by hands of sloth be lured."

Then rose there up amongst them largest of men
The chief who beckoned other sailors sins
With stature great but form that's sloven kept
Menacing down the gaze of maid he met.

"Mind your self you cabin boy
Counsel gave we never asked.
Covet great our little ploy
Made to shirk these sailing task?

Set yourself to other chore
Striving hard's not lot we seek
Leave us 'lone or pain you'll score
Go prepare for sailing feat.

Diable never yields to words
Spoken down to give command.
Never heart of man be spurred
Quick to follow peasant's plan."

His pride was great and face was stubborn set
To never move or will of maid abet.
For sure he showed his fury great and dire
With burning gaze that blazing looked like fire,

And fell on face of maiden standing still
In hopes that heat of hate would melt her will.
Thus forcing serf to leave him 'lone and plan
To lay about while others strive and stand.