The Lay of Mount Petite Jean

Canto XV: Chavet Awakens

Read in Landscape.

Slowly the captain from sleep does now rise
Clearing his throat and then rubbing his eyes.
Spying in chair by his bed there is lied
Jean with his head that is tilted to side.
Sleeping and waiting for man to awake
Helping to heal him, defying his fate.

Faithful in face of the perils they fought
Fearing not dangers this journey had wrought.
Staying yet true when the rest would have left
Though he was mocked and of honor bereft.
Leaving him little a motive to help
Great was his faith and the loyalty felt

Deep in his heart for his captain and liege
Braving the dangers that are found in the seas.
Reaching he shakes him from sleep so he jolts
Up from the chair does the peasant now bolt.
Startled but joyful that the captain is healed
Swiftly at feet of the Lord he does kneel.

Guilt does now prick in the heart of the man
Long who ignored what the traitor had planned.
Going with fiend to that island so vile
Place where the lust of the men had been wild.
Turning his head he now thought on his acts
Deeply regretting his actions and tact.

Mumbling the prince does now speak of his fault
Hoping that burning in heart may yet halt
Fast when his vices in confession are laid
Maybe such act may yet save him from grave...

"I do ask your forgiveness for course that I chose on the isle
When I gave to that lecher the favor he asked with the crew.
For my actions though tepid were cowardly wrought and reviled

In my heart since that day there's a shame that has greatly now grew,
And has mounted in soul to the highest and greatest of guilt.
As I laid in my slumber on actions my dreams did yet stew

Till yet all of the world that I dwelt had been twisted and tilt."

Hearing the words did the maiden now nods
Knowing that such was the will of her God.
Standing she spoke of the thoughts she did own
Hoping that knowing her will would yet hone.
Leading him far from a future mistake
Long she did think and a breath did now take.

"Not many men forbear from sin
When far from home on chore they're send,
And prince did try his vow to keep
When far from other men he sneaked.

Forgoing all the craven things
That vilest Island often brings,
And striving hard to keep his word
Though man by villain's words spurred.

But still your will was often easy turned,
And words I spoke to help the prince were spurned.
Exposing crew to danger rarely found,
And setting back the date of course we're bound.

Yet still it's honor serving man
Who works to reach that distant strand."

Noble now agrees with the words she has spoke
Knowing his fear had their voyage yet broke.
Setting them back for the longest of time.
Far from the land they were hoping to find.
Laying regretting the decisions he made
Longing for comfort and friendship of maid...

Sudden on shoulder he feels now a hand
Raising him up and then bidding him stand.
Up from the bed does the peasant now help
Captain from cabin in which he has dwelt
Taking him up to the deck and his men
Quick so that orders the captain may lend.

Calming their nerves at the sight of their lord
Hoping his presence resolves their accord.
Steady he takes him from the bed he is laid
Lending him all of the strength he was gave.
Under his arm he now raises him high
Up from the sheets where the man had been lied.

Slowly he lifts him through door of the room
Place that was choking with sickness and gloom.
Helping to steady the sailor aloft
Working so journey was easy and soft.
Up to the stairs did the pair now arrive.
Journeying far from the place he was lied.