The Lay of Mount Petite Jean

Canto XII: Biagio Da Cesena

Read in Landscape

Alone on ship the maiden sat and wept
With soul now hurt and heart that's deep bereft
Of love that bid the servant set to sea,
And far from all her closest kin to flee.

In hopes to aid the man who claimed to love
The maid in way that only God above
Can will or grant to mortal men's own heart
She left and all her comforts quick departs.

Now peasant girl no friend or allies bore
Aboard this ship on mighty sailing chore.
By crew the maid is mocked and often scorn
From righteous cause their ways are quickly torn.

And prince she loved had given self to ways
Of Diable, man who wicked plans had made
To leave the ship and journey down to port
Where bawdy things of great unseemly sort

Do rule the night and tempt the sailing men
To give themselves to great and awful sins.
So maid alone had stayed forbearing leave
To wallow deep and all her troubles grieve.

And deepest grief did rule the maid's own heart
At noble man who played not role or part
When prince had left to go ashore the place
Where sin is sought by sailing men in haste.

Now twice the prince had turned away from vows,
And down at feet of earthly wants did bow.
So maiden sat on ship and present burned
She felt like fool for love who quickly spurned

The promise made when out to sail the seas
The prince had went and peasant girl did leave.
And all was vain from start of voyage took
She left her home for man who vows forsook.

Now rage on deep in mind of maid began to form
As cresting wave through maiden's bodies tore.
She thinks to leave the man to fate he's earned
Whatever way that will of Diable turns.

But sudden bright as day in deepest night
There shone above the ship a holy light.
That blazed about and nearly blinded maid
Who down on deck of ship did current lay.

And slowly light now lessens down to size
So maid can turn and on it cast her eyes
At sight of wonder floating 'bove her head
That filled the servant's heart with strangest dread.

For hole in sky by Godly host was tore
Its fringe the hands of angels current bore.
Inside it glories maiden feared to spy
At kingdom found above the highest skies.

In center sat a man who's lacking clothes
Enwrapped by snake with coils tightly wove
Around his form it squeezed his body tight
But man did never move or try to fight.

On head he bore an ass's ears though shorn
So close to head of man their tightly torn,
But still like Saint a grace he current held
Though strangest sight to all who form beheld.

"Fear you not maiden my tidings are good
Know you before a friend are yet stood.
Saint I am over humiliated and scorned.
All who are mocked and by jeering are torn
Fall in my protection guarded with haste
Wrought at my discretion founded in the grace

Granted by God to those working his will
Peace to you daughter your woes are now stilled."

In awe maiden stood and barely stared
To gaze on glory found she hardly dared,
But still she presses on in hopes to find
What purpose great this Godly man does bind.

So maiden stood and sought the mission give
By Saint who came as God above had bid
In hopes that maid might fill the purpose gave
Though knowing chore may lead to early grave.

"Why come to maiden Saint? What purpose gave
Is laid before your servant, peasant maid
But ask me quest that God has granted serf
So quick on thing the maid begins her work."